Fiorentina Defeats Sassuolo 4-2 to Secure First Win in Weeks
Paolo Vanoli's squad climbed to eight points in the standings, moving three points clear of the relegation zone following a dramatic comeback at Mapei Stadium.
ACF Fiorentina secured a crucial 4-2 victory against US Sassuolo at Mapei Stadium on November 2, 2026, marking their first win in a month and a half. The result lifts Fiorentina level with Sassuolo on eight points in the Serie A table, placing them three points clear of the relegation zone and easing the pressure on coach Paolo Vanoli.
The match began poorly for the visiting side, with Armand Laurienté scoring twice to put Sassuolo in control. However, Mateo Pellegrino managed to pull a goal back for Fiorentina just before halftime, a moment that completely shifted the momentum of the encounter.
In the second half, Vanoli's tactical substitutions proved decisive. Alieu Njie added another goal to equalize, and substitute Pedro Gonçalves provided a brilliant no-look pass to set up Franco Mastantuono for the go-ahead goal. Valdepeñas then sealed the victory with a late strike, completing the impressive comeback.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Vanoli expressed his satisfaction with the result and praised the resilience of his players. "I'm happy for these lads, because we'd been playing very good football for some time, and more than once we deserved to get close to the three points," Vanoli said, noting that prior mistakes had stemmed from the youth and maturation process of the squad.
The manager acknowledged that earlier struggles, such as losing leads against Inter in Milan and failing to manage tough moments against Atalanta and Como, served as valuable lessons. "The mistakes have helped us grow, because we're a young team. Now this win helps give us more self-esteem and awareness," he added.
Despite the celebratory mood, Vanoli emphasized that defensive improvements remain necessary, noting that conceding two goals in a match is something the team must address. He also stressed the importance of unity over individualism, highlighting Pedro Gonçalves as a model of professionalism within the locker room.
Journalist Stefano Cecchi, speaking on the Pentasport radio program, shared his perspective on the dramatic turnaround. "The first time I was about to turn it off, I was already seeing a rout, then the god of football wished you well, let you score before the end of the first half and then the substitutes changed the game," Cecchi remarked, while urging that players like Pedro Gonçalves and Oulai must feature regularly in upcoming fixtures against opponents like Juventus.