Primavera Coppa Italia, Cagliari in the semifinals

A remarkable achievement for the Rossoblù Primavera team as they reach the Coppa Italia semifinals. Fiorentina, the defending champions and winners of five of the last six editions, and the second-best team in the league, were eliminated. The outcome was decided by penalties, but Cagliari fully deserved their qualification. A perfect first half from Pisacane’s team saw them take a two-goal lead at the Viola Park. Fiorentina responded with pride, managing to equalize midway through the second half. The penalty shootout was decided by goalkeeper Iliev, who was outstanding in saving two penalties, and Costa, born in 2008, who scored the decisive fifth penalty. In the semifinals, Cagliari will face Juventus, who eliminated Atalanta, also in a penalty shootout.

TREPY UNLEASHED
Fiorentina came out strong in the early stages, but Iliev was never really tested. In the 19th minute, it was Cagliari who broke the deadlock: a powerful run from Balde, a pass to the right for Trepy who surged forward, with Vinciguerra also closing in. Both struck almost simultaneously, but it was the Frenchman who got the final touch, sending a low shot into the corner that was unstoppable. Cagliari was playing better, keeping the pressure high and preventing Fiorentina from gaining any momentum.
In the 31st minute, Fiorentina made a mistake in buildup play, and Marcolini pounced on it, firing a low shot from the edge of the box just wide. The second goal didn’t take long to arrive: once again, it was Trepy who found the net, lifting a clever lob over Vannucchi from outside the area.

Fiorentina’s reply in the 36th minute came through a chaotic scramble following a corner, but Iliev was alert. Cagliari had an extra gear: Vinciguerra won a duel against two defenders, shooting from a wide position, with Vannucchi diverting it for a corner. Simonetta took the corner kick, and Vinciguerra, once again, tried a difficult volley, but his shot was mishit and went wide.

FIORENTINA REDUCES THE DEFICIT
Fiorentina threatened with a shot from Scuderi, but Iliev managed to parry it as best he could, and Braschi missed the follow-up. A minute later, in the 42nd minute, the hosts pulled one back: Rubino crossed into the box for Tarantino, who turned and with a right-footed shot placed the ball into the corner.

BRASCHI EQUALIZES
Galloppa made two immediate substitutions after the break. Pisacane freshened up his team in the 56th minute, bringing on Liteta and the 2008-born Costa for Malfitano and Trepy. Fiorentina’s pressure grew as they desperately searched for the equalizer. It took a mistake from the Rossoblù midfield to set up Braschi’s lightning-fast counterattack, with a precise shot that left Iliev no chance.

Grandu and Tronci come on for Balde and Simonetta. The pace slows down, with both teams remaining cautious, wary of leaving themselves open. In the 79th minute, Rubino made a dangerous run, but his cross was too long for everyone. Rubino tried again with a shot, but Iliev comfortably saved it on the ground.

BIG CHANCE FOR FIORENTINA
With five minutes left, Fiorentina had the match-winning opportunity: a cross from Gudelevicius to Mazzeo, who was left completely unmarked in the heart of the Rossoblù defense. As Iliev came out, Mazzeo’s shot narrowly missed the post, and Cagliari was let off the hook. Before the end of regulation, Sulev replaced Vinciguerra. The three minutes of stoppage time had no effect, and the match went to penalties.

DECISIVE LUCA COSTA
Grandu misses, but Iliev is brilliant, saving the last two penalties from Braschi and Rubino. It’s up to the young Costa to score the decisive penalty, sending Vannucchi the wrong way. And now, a semifinal showdown against Juventus.

MATCH STATS
FIORENTINA: Vannucchi, Lamouliatte (46′ Trapani), Sadotti (46′ Mazzeo), Kouadio, Elia, Scuderi (90′ Romani), Ievoli (56′ Gudelevicius), Keita, Rubino, Braschi, Tarantino (81′ Bertolini) – Bench: Leonardelli, Fei, Turnone, Puzzoli, Deli, Angiolini – Coach: Galloppa.
CAGLIARI: Iliev, Arba, Cogoni, Soldati, Marini, Balde (69′ Tronci), Malfitano (56′ Liteta), Marcolini, Simonetta (69′ Grandu), Vinciguerra (90′ Sulev), Trepy (56′ Costa) – Bench: Auseklis, Pintus, Lo Verde, Ardau, Tronci, Franke – Coach: Pisacane.
REFEREE: Mucera di Palermo.
GOALS: 19′ e 33′ Trepy, 42′ Tarantino, 65′ Braschi.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT SEQUENCE: Keita (gol), Marcolini (gol), Romani (gol), Grandu (alto), Bertolini (gol), Sulev (gol), Braschi (parato), Liteta (gol), Rubino (parato), Costa (gol).