In a match filled with tension and drama, Fiorentina suffered a shocking elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of local rivals Empoli. The derby, brimming with passion and surprises, ended in a penalty shootout that saw Empoli emerge victorious, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
The emotional context of the game added to its intensity. Days earlier, Empoli midfielder Edoardo Bove suffered a serious health scare but thankfully has recovered and is out of intensive care. His courage and message to his teammates to “play for him” fueled Empoli’s determination. However, the incident seemed to weigh heavily on Fiorentina, as coach Raffaele Palladino’s side lacked their usual focus and composure.
A Thrilling Encounter Unfolds
The match began disastrously for Fiorentina, with an error from Quarta gifting Empoli an early lead just four minutes in. Ekong seized the opportunity, calmly slotting past Terracciano. The home side pushed for an equalizer, hitting the crossbar through Kean and threatening with Dodo’s dangerous cross-shot, but the first half ended with Empoli holding their slender advantage.
After halftime, Fiorentina seemed rejuvenated, buoyed by the affection and support for Bove from both teams’ fans. The equalizer came in the 59th minute through Kean, who pounced on a rebound from Sottil’s shot to fire the ball home. The momentum shifted further in Fiorentina’s favor, and they completed the comeback in the 71st minute when Sottil found the back of the net, igniting celebrations among the Viola faithful.
However, Empoli refused to back down. Substitutions brought fresh energy, and in the 78th minute, Esposito produced a moment of magic, lofting the ball delicately over Terracciano to level the score at 2-2. Neither side could break the deadlock in regular time, sending the match to penalties.
Penalty Heartbreak for Fiorentina
The shootout was as tense as the match itself. An early miss from Ekong seemed to hand the advantage to Fiorentina, but costly errors from Ranieri and Kean dashed their hopes. Empoli held their nerve and celebrated a famous victory, demonstrating grit and unity to clinch the win.
With this win, Empoli advances to face the winner of Juventus vs. Cagliari in the quarter-finals, while Fiorentina is left to rue missed opportunities and unforced errors.
This derby will not only be remembered for its dramatic twists but also for the heartwarming display of sportsmanship and solidarity surrounding Bove’s recovery. Despite the heartbreak, football once again showed its power to unite communities through shared emotions, resilience, and respect.