FLORENCE: Fiorentina edged a step closer to another Coppa Italia final with a 1-0 home win over Atalanta in the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, courtesy of a stunning first-half strike by midfielder Rolando Mandragora.

Fiorentina, who lost last year’s final to Inter Milan 2-1, are looking to lift the club’s first trophy since they won the cup in 2001.

Italian Mandragora decided the clash in Florence in the 31st minute with a rocket of a shot from outside the box, which ricocheted in off the post.

His goal, sent into the net from 27.6 metres, is the longest-distance goal scored by Fiorentina this season across all competitions.

Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina are now slight favourites to reach the final for the second straight year before the second leg in Bergamo on April 24.

The Tuscan outfit were also losing finalists in last season’s Europa Conference League.

“The final is not one step away, even if we had scored another goal it would have been tough anyway,” Italiano told Mediaset. “Atalanta at home close you in your own half... We know that we will have to play an amazing match there.”

Should they go through Fiorentina will face either fierce rivals Juventus or Lazio in next month’s final.

Juve are 2-0 ahead in their last-four tie after dominating their Roman opponents on Tuesday night.

The return legs will be played on April 23 and 24 before Rome’s Stadio Olimpico hosts the final on May 15.

The winner of the competition earns a Europa League group-stage spot.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2024