On April 17, 2025, the AC Florenz successfully secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League for the third consecutive year after a hard-fought 2:2 draw against NK Celje at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence. This result, combined with their 2:1 victory in the first leg, ensured that the Serie A club moved forward in the tournament.
The match was played under challenging conditions, with heavy rain making the pitch slippery and difficult for both teams. Despite the adverse weather, Florenz started strong, taking the initiative early on. Rolando Mandragora, who had already made an impact in the first leg, opened the scoring for the home side in the 37th minute, converting a well-placed pass to give Florenz a 1:0 lead.
However, the second half saw a dramatic turnaround as Celje came out with renewed energy. Aljosa Matko leveled the score in the 54th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Florentine side. Just eleven minutes later, Klemen Nemanic put the Slovenian champions ahead with a header, making it 2:1 and putting Florenz on the brink of elimination.
But the home side responded quickly. Just two minutes later, Moise Kean found the net, equalizing at 2:2 in the 67th minute. His goal was initially under review by VAR for a potential offside, but it stood, allowing Florenz to regain their composure and push for a win. Despite a disallowed goal from Luca Ranieri later in the match due to a narrow offside call, Florenz held on to the draw, ensuring their progression.
Florenz's head coach, Raffaele Palladino, praised his team's resilience in the post-match interview, stating, "We showed great character to come back after going behind. This team knows how to fight and never gives up, and that’s what we needed today." The victory was significant, especially considering Florenz's previous two finals in this competition, where they fell short against West Ham in 2023 and Olympiakos Piräus in 2024.
Looking ahead, Florenz will face Real Betis in the semi-finals, with the first leg scheduled for May 1 and the return leg on May 8, 2025. Betis secured their place in the semi-finals after a 1:1 draw against Jagiellonia Bialystok, having won the first leg 2:0. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams are eager to secure a spot in the finals.
Before the semi-finals, Florenz will return to domestic action, facing Cagliari in Serie A on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. Meanwhile, Celje will look to bounce back in the Slovenian league against NK Radomlje at the same time.
The journey for Florenz in the Conference League has been a rollercoaster, but their ability to adapt and overcome adversity has been commendable. As they prepare for the next round, fans will be hopeful that this season could finally end with silverware, something that has eluded them in recent years.
In conclusion, the AC Florenz continues to demonstrate their tenacity and skill on the European stage, and with the semi-finals approaching, the excitement around the club is palpable. Will they finally clinch the title this year? Only time will tell as they gear up for what promises to be an exhilarating clash against Real Betis.
