Fiorentina came from behind to overcome Rakow 2-1 at Stadio Artemio Franchi in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League last 16.

The first half was largely uneventful aside from a spectacular backheeled flick from Robin Gosens which very nearly sneaked in under the bar.

The match sparked into life on the hour mark when Jonatan Braut Brunes gave the visitors the lead, the Norwegian chesting down Patryk Makuch's flick-on before slotting past Oliver Christensen. 

Fiorentina's reaction was immediate, however, as Cher Ndour rifled home on the half-volley from the edge of the box.

Roberto Piccoli almost scored a second for the Viola in the 72^nd minute but his fierce effort came off the crossbar.

Fiorentina kept pressing and found a winner on the night in stoppage time. A Rakow handball on the stroke of the 90^thminute gave Albert Gudmundsson the chance from the spot and he coolly tucked it away to make it 2-1.

Paolo Vanoli's side will thus take a slender one-goal advantage to Poland for the second leg next week.

Fiorentina 2-1 Rakow (HT 0-0)

Scorers: Brunes 60, Ndour 62, Gudmundsson 90+2.

FIORENTINA (4-1-4-1): 53 Christensen; 29 Fortini (Dodo 68), 15 Comuzzo, 6 Ranieri, 21 Gosens (Harrison 58); 27 Ndour; 65 Parisi, 8 Mandragora (82’ Fagioli), 80 Fabbian, 22 Fazzini (Gudmundsson 58); 91 Piccoli (Braschi 82). 

Subs not used: 43 De Gea, 50 Leonardelli, 60 Kouadio, 67 Sadotti, 62 Balbo, 63 Bonanno.

Coach: Vanoli.

RAKOW (3-4-3): 48 Zych; 7 Tudor, 25 Racovitan, 4 Svarnas; 19 Ameyaw, 6 Repka, 23 Struski (Bulat 70), 8 Pienko (Arsenic 59); 10 Ivi Lopez (Diaby-Fadiga 59), 18 Brunes (Rocha 79), 9 Makuch.

Subs not used: 1 Trelowski, 31 Czeremski, 2 Mosor, 11 Amorim, 21 Napieraj, 35 Ilenic, 44 Mircetic.

Coach: Tomczyk.

Booked: Struski (R), Ranieri (F), Tudor (R), Parisi (F)