Hellas Verona pulled off a remarkable last-minute victory on Sunday, defeating Fiorentina 1-0 at the Stadio Bentegodi, with Antoine Bernede scoring the decisive goal deep in stoppage time. This victory marked Hellas Verona's significant step toward safety in the Serie A standings, as they climbed to 14th place with 26 points, leaving Fiorentina to ponder their third consecutive loss and potential fallout from the match.
The match unfolded quietly initially, with both teams engaging in careful maneuvering. Fiorentina, desperate for points to maintain their European qualification hopes, attempted to come out strong. Just four minutes in, Moise Kean's header forced Verona's goalkeeper, Marco Montipò, to make his first save, reflecting Fiorentina's intent to dominate early on. Despite their efforts, the match soon fell victim to cautious play, characterized by defensive setups rather than attacking flair. Verona's coach, Paolo Zanetti, employed a defensive strategy, seeking to contain any Fiorentina threat.
Throughout the first half, Verona found it challenging to create significant goal-scoring opportunities. Their best chance came from Sarr, whose long-range shot was comfortably parried by United loanee David De Gea. Despite Verona's mounting pressure, the first half ended scoreless, with fans growing increasingly restless. The second half began with more urgency from Verona, but Fiorentina's game turned concerning when Kean sustained what appeared to be a serious injury following an uncalled foul. He was later taken off the field on a stretcher, prompting moments of silence across the stadium.
Verona, motivated by the magnitude of the occasion, kept pressing for the winning goal. Their persistence bore fruit when, at the end of the match, Niasse recovered the ball and passed it to Mosquera. His assist set up Bernede, who coolly navigated around defender Comuzzo to score the only goal of the match.
After the game, Antoine Bernede reflected on the victory, expressing his joy at scoring: "This victory is especially important considering the other results. We managed to get three points and hope to continue like this. The fans have encouraged us, and I'm happy to have scored the goal of victory." His enthusiasm was palpable as he noted the crowd's impact on their performance, "It’s great to feel the enthusiasm of the fans and my teammates.” Bernede, who arrived from Lausanne after previous stints at PSG and Salzburg, remarked on his adaptation to Italian football.
The emotional weight of the encounter was starkly visible, especially for Fiorentina, who now find themselves facing mounting pressure. Fiorentina's coach, Raffaele Palladino, took accountability for his team's performance, stating, "We need to rethink our strategy and approach. It’s concerning to have lost three games consecutively, especially against teams around us.”
Despite the victory, doubts lingered over the state of Fiorentina's squad and their potential for the remainder of the season. With injuries piling up and morale wavering, fans are left to wonder how the club will bounce back and if their aspirations for European football are realistic.
Hellas Verona's triumph not only earns them three much-needed points but also lifts their spirits as they push toward survival. For the Viola, the road to recovery seems steep, with fans hoping for quick resolution to Kean's injury and other tactical woes. Verona fans celebrated their team's heroic win, cheering Bernede's name as he exited the field—a fitting end to a hard-fought battle. Both teams now face another weekend challenge as the Serie A season intensifies, but for now, Hellas Verona savors their hard-fought victory, hoping it lays the groundwork for their remaining matches this season.