In a vibrant night at the Benito Villamarín Stadium, Real Betis defeated Fiorentina 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League semifinals. With goals from Ez Abde and Antony, the Spanish side took the lead, but Luca Ranieri scored for the Italians, keeping the tie wide open for the second leg.
First Half: Betis Sets the Tempo and Scores Early
Betis started the match at a high pace, pressing Fiorentina’s build-up play. In the 6th minute, Ez Abde capitalized on a quick attack and scored with a precise finish. The VAR confirmed the ball had crossed the goal line, validating the goal.
After taking the lead, Betis continued to dominate, with Isco and Lo Celso orchestrating the midfield and creating chances. Fiorentina struggled to handle the pressure and rarely threatened goalkeeper Fran Vieites.
Second Half: Antony Doubles the Lead, but Fiorentina Responds
In the second half, Betis maintained their offensive posture and were rewarded in the 64th minute. Antony, in great form, hit a brilliant semi-volley to make it 2-0.
However, Fiorentina didn’t give up. In the 73rd minute, Luca Ranieri took advantage of a defensive lapse to score a crucial away goal. The strike gave the Italians a boost, and they pushed for an equalizer late on, but Betis managed to hold on.
With the 2-1 victory, Betis carries a narrow advantage into the return leg in Florence. The Spanish side will qualify for the final with at least a draw, while Fiorentina, boosted by their away goal, still has a realistic shot at turning things around on home soil.
Tactical Analysis: Betis Controls Midfield; Fiorentina Shows Grit
Manager Manuel Pellegrini set up Betis in an attacking mindset, using width and high pressing. Isco and Lo Celso were pivotal in controlling the rhythm and feeding the wingers Antony and Abde, who stretched Fiorentina’s defense.
Fiorentina, under pressure early, struggled to contain Betis’ fluid play. In the second half, tactical substitutions and a more aggressive stance allowed them to balance the game and secure an important goal.
Key Players and Individual Stats
- Antony: Scored a stunning goal and was a constant threat on the right wing. His dribbling and finishing stood out.
- Isco: Dictated the tempo in midfield, linked up effectively with the forwards, and was involved in most attacking transitions.
- Ez Abde: Scored the opener and used his pace on the left to constantly unsettle the Fiorentina defense.
- Luca Ranieri: Netted the vital away goal that kept Fiorentina alive in the tie.
Trivia and Head-to-Head Record
This was the first-ever European meeting between Real Betis and Fiorentina. Both clubs are chasing their first appearance in a UEFA Conference League final, adding historical weight to the clash.
Upcoming Matches
- Betis: Next faces Espanyol in La Liga before traveling to Florence for the return leg.
- Fiorentina: Will play AS Roma in Serie A ahead of hosting Betis in the decisive second leg.
Betis delivered a solid performance and deserved the win, but the slim margin leaves everything open for the second leg. Fiorentina showed resilience and the ability to respond under pressure. With the return game set in Florence, this semifinal promises drama and high stakes.
