2
Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was the hero, making an important penalty save as Fiorentina overcame Puskás Akadémia 5-4 on penalties to advance to the group stage of the Europa Convention League.
The Spanish shot stopper was and not using a membership for over a 12 months after leaving the Purple Devils in the summertime of 2023 when his contract expired.
The United legend finally joined his new membership Fiorentina earlier this month after decreasing his wage calls for to push by means of a deal.
His return to soccer has been removed from plain-sailing as he conceded three objectives in his opening match for La Viola within the first leg dwelling draw.
Issues went from dangerous to worse as he was dropped from Fiorentina’s league match in opposition to Venezia however he regained the chance to impress his new membership within the second leg of their European tie.
The 33 12 months outdated actually took his probability, proving to be the hero as he pushed apart the Hungarian’s fourth penalty within the shootout with a robust proper hand.
The save will probably be much more satisfying for the goalkeeper as regardless of his spectacular profession in England, he was typically criticised for his perceived weak spot at stopping penalties. This was highlighted when he conceded 11 straight penalties in United’s agonising 11-10 loss on penalties to Villarreal within the Europa League remaining of 2021.
In his 12 seasons for the membership, he solely managed to save lots of six penalties for the membership, so he will probably be happy to hit the headlines on this means.
De Gea was not solely the hero within the shootout this time nevertheless, he additionally performed a really strong match for his new facet within the 1-1 draw.
Within the fortieth minute of play, he made an sensible cease from shut vary to maintain the scores degree at 0-0 heading into the half time break.
His unbelievable reflexes had been on present as soon as once more as he someway reacted in time to push a header onto the crossbar from solely centimetres away early on within the second half.
The Hungarians did rating a last-gasp penalty to equalise on the evening however De Gea had the final snort together with his shootout heroics.
Sofascore credited the previous United man with a large 9.5 ranking, making eight saves throughout the match, six coming from contained in the field.
He additionally made two excessive claims and accomplished 58% of his passes, making an attempt 27 lengthy balls.
De Gea will hope that this could be a turning level in his younger Fiorentina profession and that he can consolidate himself because the Serie A facet’s undisputed first selection keeper.
Play free of charge to win the brand new United equipment! We’re awarding a brand new prize each PL matchweek, courtesy of Goat Kits! To play, simply (1) Be part of this week’s model new PL Problem league right here with our league code puu1tk and enter your staff. (2) Observe The Peoples Individual on X and reply the tie breaker query. Full directions and guidelines right here.
You can too go to Goat Kits at goatkitstore.com and use low cost code TPP30 to get 30% off your first buy!
