Fiorentina beats AC Milan in a match full of missed penalties

In a match full of drama, missed opportunities, and heroics from both goalkeepers, Fiorentina secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over AC Milan in a game that will be remembered for its chaotic sequence of missed penalties.

The contest, played in Florence, saw three penalties saved two by Fiorentina’s David de Gea and one by Milan’s Mike Maignan making it one of the most unusual and memorable matches of the Serie A season thus far.

The first turning point came early when the referee awarded a penalty for a supposed foul by Milan’s Theo Hernández. Moïse Kean stepped up to take the spot-kick, hoping to give Fiorentina the early lead, but Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan had other plans. Maignan’s save kept the match level, temporarily keeping Milan in the contest. However, Fiorentina’s persistence paid off when Yacine Adli, on loan from Milan to the Viola, delivered a powerful shot from outside the box just after the half-hour mark. Adli’s strike was not just well-placed, but symbolic, as it was a moment that inflicted pain on his parent club, Milan, leaving Fiorentina with a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Hernández’s first half went from bad to worse. After giving away the penalty that Kean failed to convert, the Frenchman had a chance to redeem himself when Milan was awarded a penalty. However, his effort was brilliantly denied by De Gea, who showed incredible reflexes to dive and block the shot. Hernández’s frustration was palpable as his miserable first half ended without any redemption. It was clear that Milan was struggling to find their rhythm, and Fiorentina looked determined to capitalize on their opponent's vulnerability.

The drama continued into the second half, as Milan sought to equalize. Ten minutes after the break, the referee pointed to the spot once again this time for Milan. Tammy Abraham was given the responsibility to take the third penalty of the match, but once again, De Gea was up to the task, pulling off yet another stunning save to deny Milan. It was starting to feel like Milan would never find the back of the net, and De Gea’s heroics between the posts were making it seem as though Fiorentina would escape unscathed.

However, Milan’s persistence finally paid off in open play. At the hour mark, Christian Pulisic, who had been relatively quiet for much of the game, produced a moment of magic. The American international connected with a lofted cross and executed a perfect volley, beating De Gea with such precision that even three De Gea’s wouldn’t have been able to stop it. Pulisic’s equalizer was a reminder of his technical brilliance and provided Milan with a lifeline as they sought to turn the game around.

Despite Milan’s resurgence, Fiorentina was not to be denied. With just minutes remaining, Albert Gudmundsson delivered a spectacular strike from the edge of the box, hammering the ball past Maignan with incredible force. The Icelandic midfielder’s goal sealed the win for Fiorentina, as Maignan could do nothing to prevent the ball from soaring into the net. It was a fitting end to a match filled with intensity, and Gudmundsson’s moment of brilliance ensured that the points would remain in Tuscany.

This result was a significant blow to AC Milan’s hopes of keeping pace with the top teams in Serie A. The Rossoneri have now slipped to sixth place, losing ground in the race for European spots. With just one point more than Fiorentina, who sit in eleventh, Milan’s inability to capitalize on their chances has raised concerns about their form and consistency. Coach Stefano Pioli will need to regroup his squad ahead of their next matches if they hope to recover from this setback.

For Fiorentina, this victory was crucial as it kept them within touching distance of the top half of the table. The win, fueled by strong performances from De Gea and Gudmundsson, showed the team’s resilience and ability to compete against the league’s top sides. The Viola will now turn their attention to their upcoming match against Lecce at the Via del Mare, hoping to build on this momentum.

Meanwhile, Milan will face Udinese at home in two weeks. This match will be critical for Pioli’s men as they look to regain their form and avoid falling further behind in the standings. With several key players underperforming, Milan will need to rediscover their attacking edge and tighten up defensively if they are to climb back into contention for a top-four finish. The road ahead for both clubs remains challenging, but Fiorentina’s victory has certainly set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season.