Fiorentina beat Dynamo Kiev 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in their Europa League quarter-final to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
The Viola started on the front foot but struggled to finish their chances before Mario Gomez opened the scoring in the 42nd minute and substitute Juan Vargas scored in second half stoppage time to kill the tie.
Agree with our ratings? Leave a comment below.
Fiorentina
Norberto Neto – 6 – Prepared
The Brazilian made a good save in the last 10 minutes when Dynamo Kiev started to desperately push forwards. Ready when called upon to claim crosses and that was a sign of his admirable concentration throughout the game.
Gonzalo Rodriguez – 6.5 – Alert
Focused and ready to make important challenges when called upon in the few moments when Kiev got forwards. Tidy throughout when Fiorentina built from the back.
Stefan Savic – 6 – Competent
Got forward and caused problems when the opportunity arose. Struggled with Yarmolenko running at him at times but made last-ditch challenges if they were needed but he wasn’t as elegant as his defensive partners.
Marcos Alonso – 6.5 – Worker
Almost scored a beauty from outside the area but was denied by the underside of the bar. Ran the length of the pitch time and time again but couldn’t quite influence the game as much as he’d have liked.
Nenad Tomovic – 6 – Solid
A stupid attempt at a cute free-kick almost gifted the Ukrainians a free sight of goal. Solid if uninspiring when going forwards but his final ball let him down at times. Did his job when defending and didn’t allow himself to get ahead of himself and start bursting down the wing when caution was needed.
David Pizarro – 6.5 – Understated
Dictated the tempo and took his time when on the ball. Played quite an intelligent game as he allowed his team-mates to knock at the Kiev gates while sticking to his position.
Mati Fernandez – 7 – Creative
Stole the ball just before the hour mark but missed the target when he could have done better. Tricky but at times a touch too flash. The Chilean came close to setting up a goal towards the end that would have killed the tie for the Gigliati and he missed a chance but showed good energy to keep going as the game became nervy. Made things happen but just lacked a killer touch at times.
Joaquin – 8 – Sublime
Direct, quick and skilful. Marvellous work down the left, deserved his assist for Gomez’s opening goal. Missed a chance in the second half to end it but it was difficult and on the turn. Slowed down somewhat as the game went on but the Spaniard was a joy to watch.
Borja Valero – 6 – Nearly man
Decent but couldn’t quite find the openings he was looking. The Spaniard played well but not quite well enough to really punish Dynamo. He arrived late from deep on numerous occasions but struggled to find a way through the Dynamo defence. His long shots weren’t quite up to scratch. Taken off with 12 minutes to go after putting in a good shift.
Mohamed Salah – 7 – Energetic
Was lively throughout and the Dynamo defenders looked terrified of him in possession. Was pleasantly direct as he looked to cut inside and shoot but he couldn’t find the net or the final ball needed to get a goal that would have killed the game earlier.
Mario Gomez – 7 – Unorthodox
Didn’t look the most elegant but the German got the job done. He had a great chance in the 21st minute after doing well to create space for himself but he couldn’t find the net. His positioning was good and it helped the wingers alongside him who were in fine form. Opened the scoring just before half-time with what looked like a heavy first touch. He battled and put pressure on the Ukrainians without being especially elegant.
Substitutes
Milan Badelj – 6 – Composed
Kept a cool head as the game became nervy and did what he had to do to preserve his side’s lead.
Alberto Aquilani – N/A
Juan Vargas – 6.5 – Fiery
Ran around and won the ball when Fiorentina looked under the cosh. Showed great strength to score the Viola’s second in stoppage time.
Dynamo Kiev
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi – 5 – Shaky
Spilled a Valero shot early on but was let off by the fact that Gomez scored from an offside position. Made some good saves and wasn’t at fault for either goal but not entirely convincing. Smashed a kick into Gomez and was fortunate to see it sail over.
Danilo Silva – 6.5 – Warrior
Did brilliantly to block a shot from Salah that was going in. Was let down by those around him but his desperate defending was commendable and it stopped the Viola from converting from their many chances.
Vitorino Antunes – 5.5 – Poor
Played a few decent crosses but mostly looked frustrated. The Portuguese defender was bullied by Salah at times and almost gave away a goal with his complacency on the ball.
Domagoj Vida – 5 – Stressed
Looked tired after dealing with so much Fiorentina pressure and gave the ball away sloppily at times. Had the unenviable task of trying to stop Joaquin and he lost that duel. Won a header to feed Yarmolenko at the death and almost send the game to extra time.
Yevhen Khacheridi – 5 – Weak
Really struggled to win the ball back from the Fiorentina attack or clear his lines when the chance arose. At one point he couldnt stop Salah time and time again in the box as the Egyptian repeatedly cut back to take on the defender who he had the beating of. Gomez won the physical battle.
Sergei Rybalka – 6 – Committed
Showed little in the centre of midfield but he worked hard to press the Fiorentina midfield but it was a losing battle. Did little on the ball.
Vitaliy Buyalkskiy – 5 – Pushover
Lost the midfield battle and looked uncomfortable under pressure.
Younes Belhanda – 4.5 – Disappointing
The Moroccan is supposed to be the creative spark in the side but the game passed him by and he did very little to trouble the Tuscans.
Jeremain Lens – 4 – Angry
Looked frustrated as his side struggled to see the ball early on and was booked. Made things harder for his side by picking up a second yellow for simulation. His second yellow may be debatable but he still could have been more careful.
Andriy Yarmolenko – 6 – Isolated
Showed his class, power and pace when given the opportunity and tried to make things happen on the counter-attack but was isolated. Tested Neto with six minutes to go but the goalkeeper saved well.
Lukasz Teodorczyk – 5 – Absent
Did very little up front and hardly saw the ball although that was largely due to the failings of his team-mates.
Substitutes
Vladyslav Kalitvinsev – 5 – Flat
Brought on to make the difference but the game mostly passed him by.
Oleg Gusev – 5 – Anonymous
Had a full half of football with which to change the tie but he did nothing of note.
Serhiy Sydorchuk – 5 -Blunt
Did almost nothing of note.
