With a sudden and unexpected thud, it’s over.
The Viola managed to hold the advantage for 70 minutes during last Thursday’s second leg against Juventus thanks to Mario Gomez’s late strike only one week earlier in Turin.
It wasn’t an easy accomplishment as the Bianconeri came to the Stadio Artemio Franchi knowing that they needed a result to proceed to the next round of the Europa League.
With Juventus looking every bit like the team that has so mightily struggled over the past two years in Europe, with every passing minute it became increasingly clear that the tie would only change due to a singular episode or a moment of magic.
And that’s exactly what happened.
When Gonzalo Rodriguez picked up his second bookable offence for a foul on Fernando Llorente, it was always going to make the Viola’s final 20 minutes a challenge.
Unfortunately the final blow would come only two minutes after the red card as the majestic Andrea Pirlo stepped up, four days after sending a free kick past Mattia Perin to claim victory against Genoa, and sent another impressive strike past a helpless Neto to send the Bianconeri through to the quarter finals of the Europa League (where they will now play Lyon).
Andrea Pirlo is good. He reminded everyone of that on Thursday, much to the chagrin of Fiorentina fans.
While the goal wasn’t a definitive end to the Viola’s run in Europe, there was a sense that it would prove too big a hurdle for the team to overcome with so little time remaining in the match.
And while it proved to be so, there is certainly no sense of anger or disappointment at the elimination from thesupporters despite the unfortunate exit to the Gigliati’s most hated rivals.
The only regret Viola fans may have revolves around Gomez’s missed opportunity inside the first five minutes, when the German found himself in on goal only to pull his left footed effort wide of the post and past Gianluigi Buffon.
However instead of focusing on missed chances or the elimination itself, Viola fans once again showed their love for the team by sending them off the pitch to a heartfelt plause, knowing full well that on any other day a similar performance would have ended in a positive result for the side.
One can only hope that the elimination serves as a great lesson for the side as they continue their maturation process, knowing full well that they held their own against what is largely considered Italy’s best side during all four meetings this season.
The Serie A schedule provides no respite for the Viola as they are set to travel to the Stadio San Paolo to take on Napoli on Sunday evening. The Azzurri are also coming off a tiring and disappointing elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Porto.
This means the two sides will likely be fatigued and will perhaps create even more space in front of goal, especially if you consider the inconsistent play in defence from both teams.
Borja Valero will finally be available after serving his three match ban for for whatever it is the authorities saw during the Viola’s match against Parma.
Without the Spaniard the Gigliati lost two of their three matches, only managing to beat Chievo in what was an uncomfortable 3-1 victory that was only made comfortable by Gomez’s late strike.
Given Valero’s importance there is every reason to believe in a quick rebound for Montella and his men.
In the off chance that quick rebound doesn’t happen, fear not Viola fans as you can still take comfort in a little something called the Coppa Italia final in May. All is not lost.
Follow Adriano Boin on Twitter: @Boin44
