David de Gea delivered a match-winning performance for Fiorentina, saving two penalties to help his side claim a thrilling 2-1 victory over AC Milan in Serie A. The former Manchester United goalkeeper, who joined Fiorentina in August, showcased his experience and reflexes, denying Theo Hernandez in the first half and Tammy Abraham in the second, playing a pivotal role in securing Fiorentina’s second win of the season.
The dramatic encounter at the Stadio Artemio Franchi saw goals from Yacine Adli and Albert Gudmundsson for the hosts, while Christian Pulisic scored a temporary equalizer for Milan. It was a chaotic match that also saw Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan save a penalty, Fiorentina manager Raffaele Palladino sent off in the closing stages, and a red card issued to AC Milan defender Hernandez after the final whistle.
De Gea Saves Fiorentina
David De Gea, 33, was the undeniable hero of the night. The Spanish goalkeeper’s first crucial intervention came in the first half when he expertly read Theo Hernandez’s penalty. Diving low to his left, De Gea made a strong save to prevent Milan from taking the lead, setting the tone for what would become a dominant display between the sticks.
His second penalty save came at a key moment in the match. With Fiorentina holding on to a narrow 2-1 lead, De Gea faced off against Milan’s Tammy Abraham, who was seeking to draw his side level. De Gea showed his class once again, diving sharply to his right to deny Abraham and preserve Fiorentina’s lead. His double penalty saves were the defining moments in what was an intense and chaotic contest, further cementing his importance to Fiorentina since his arrival.
Signed in August after leaving Manchester United, De Gea’s move to Fiorentina raised eyebrows, but performances like this show that the veteran goalkeeper still has plenty to offer. His calmness under pressure and ability to make match-saving interventions were on full display, much to the delight of Fiorentina fans.
A Chaotic Contest
The match was full of drama, with both teams exchanging blows throughout. Yacine Adli gave Fiorentina the lead with a well-taken goal, only for Milan to respond through Christian Pulisic, who found the back of the net with a composed finish to bring his side level. However, Fiorentina soon regained control when Albert Gudmundsson scored what would ultimately be the winning goal, firing home after some clever build-up play.
But the match was far from over. Milan pushed forward in search of an equalizer and were given a lifeline when they were awarded a second penalty, this time for a foul on Abraham. Yet, De Gea stood tall, making his second save of the evening to protect Fiorentina’s lead.
Milan’s frustrations boiled over after the final whistle, with Theo Hernandez receiving a red card for dissent. The game had seen its fair share of cards and controversial moments, including Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino being sent off late in the second half for protesting a refereeing decision.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan also played his part in the chaos, saving a penalty from Moise Kean, preventing Fiorentina from extending their lead earlier in the match.
Serie A Title Race Heats Up
While Fiorentina celebrated a vital win, the result left AC Milan reeling as they missed an opportunity to keep pace at the top of Serie A. The defeat leaves Milan trailing league leaders Napoli, who continued their fine early-season form with a 3-1 win over Como. Scott McTominay opened the scoring for Napoli after just 25 seconds, with Romelu Lukaku adding another to secure the victory.
Inter, meanwhile, kept up the pressure on Napoli with a thrilling 3-2 win over Torino. France international Marcus Thuram was the hero for Inter, netting a hat-trick to ensure his side remains in contention at the top of the table.
Juventus, on the other hand, suffered a setback in their title push as they were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by Cagliari. Dusan Vlahovic’s first-half penalty had given Juventus the lead, but Razvan Marin’s late penalty earned Cagliari a valuable point, leaving Juventus frustrated and conceding their first goal of the season.
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