Fiorentina secured their place in the UEFA Conference League group stage for the fourth consecutive season after a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over FC Polissya Zhytomyr at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia on Thursday.

With a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Slovakia, Stefano Pioli’s side entered the return play-off with confidence, but the Ukrainians made life extremely difficult in Italy.

Polissya struck twice inside the opening quarter of an hour. Oleksandr Nazarenko capitalised on a defensive misunderstanding between David De Gea and Pietro Comuzzo to open the scoring in the third minute, before Oleksandr Andriyevskiy doubled the advantage with a stunning left-footed volley from the edge of the box on 13 minutes. The Viola suddenly saw their aggregate cushion cut to a single goal and were forced on to the back foot.

Fiorentina struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, managing just one notable effort when Jacopo Fazzini’s long-range attempt was comfortably held by goalkeeper Oleg Kudryk. The break arrived with the hosts 2-0 down on the night and hanging on to a narrow aggregate lead.

Pioli reacted decisively at half time, introducing Albert Gudmundsson and Robin Gosens to inject attacking thrust. The changes immediately improved Fiorentina’s tempo, with Gudmundsson and Gosens combining well in wide areas. Fazzini came closest to reducing the deficit, embarking on a dazzling run from inside his own half before striking the post.

Persistence finally paid off in the 78th minute. Gosens surged down the left flank and crossed for Dodo, who volleyed home through Kudryk’s legs to make it 2-1. Seven minutes later, substitute Luca Ranieri equalised from close range after Gosens flicked on a Gudmundsson corner, with the German full-back again instrumental by providing his second assist of the evening.

The comeback was complete in the 89th minute. Edin Dzeko reacted quickest to a rebound after Kudryk had parried Pablo Marí’s shot, slotting home to secure a 3-2 win on the night and a 6-2 triumph on aggregate.

It was a testing evening for Fiorentina, who showed resilience and character to overturn a difficult start. For the fourth straight season, the Viola have qualified for the Conference League group stage, laying the foundations for their European campaign.