10-man Fiorentina stuns Atalanta to reach Italian Cup semis

Posted February 10, 2022 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Fiorentina's Krzysztof Piatek, 3rd left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Italian Cup soccer match between Atalanta and Fiorentina, at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

BERGAMO, Italy (AP) - Nikola MilenkoviÄ‡ scored with the last kick of the game to shoot 10-man Fiorentina into the semifinals of the Italian Cup with a 3-2 win at last year's runner-up Atalanta on Thursday.

MilenkoviÄ‡, who came on late as a substitute, scored in the third minute of injury time when the home team failed to clear a free kick. MilenkoviÄ‡ stopped the ball on his thigh and let fly with a volley inside the far post.

The visitors had an anxious wait as the goal was checked through VAR for any possible infringements before referee Michael Fabbri gave the all-clear and ended what had been a hard-fought game.

Krzysztof PiÄ…tek got Fiorentina off to a great start with a penalty in the ninth minute, before Davide Zappacosta curled the equalizer in off the underside of the crossbar in the 30th.

Jeremie Boga forced his way with some fortune past two defenders and stayed cool to beat Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano for 2-1 in the 53rd.

Fabbri awarded the visitors another penalty in the 70th. Juan Musso saved PiÄ…tek's spot kick but the ball landed kindly for the Polish forward to score on the rebound.

Fiorentina defender Martinez Quarta was sent off with his second yellow card in the 79th, shortly before Vincenzo Italiano reacted by bringing on MilenkoviÄ‡ '“ a defender '“ to help see out the draw and force extra time. But the Serbian scored the winner instead.

Defending champion Juventus hosts Sassuolo in the last quarterfinal later.

Inter Milan and city rival AC Milan already booked their places in the semifinals.

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Fiorentina's Krzysztof Piatek celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup, round of 8 soccer match between Atalanta and Fiorentina, at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Atalanta's Jeremie Boga celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup soccer match between Atalanta and Fiorentina, at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

Atalanta's Davide Zappacosta celebrates after scoring during the Italian Cup soccer match between Atalanta and Fiorentina, at the Gewiss stadium in Bergamo, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) The Associated Press

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