Talented Fiorentina youngster, Michael Kayode, came off the bench to assist Lucas Martinez Quarta in what proved to be the winning goal against Pafos FC in the Conference league on Thursday, November 28.
Fiorentina manager, Raffaele Palladino preferred to start Dodo in the right back position, and Fabiano Parisi at left back, leaving Kayode on the bench. The tactical decision looked promising as Dodo assisted Christian Kouame to break the deadlock in the 38th minute.
In the 53rd minute, David Golder made a horrible mistake as he committed an own goal to give Fiorentina a 2-0 lead. However, despite the setback, Pafos kept attacking and they got their reward in the 68th minute as Jairo scored to put them back into the game.
4 minutes after the goal, Michael Kayode who replaced Dodo in the 62nd minute delivered a wonderful cross into the box and Lucas Martinez Quarta headed home to seal the win for La Viola. Pafos got a goal back in the 87th minute courtesy of a Jaja strike. However, Fiorentina got the win as it was too late to complete a comeback.
Earlier in the week, Kayode also won the Italian Golden Boy Award 2024 as Best Italian Talent of the Year. Many believe that the versatile fullback is one that should become a top-class footballer once he gets consistent game time.
With the result, Fiorentina are now 6th on the Conference League table with 9 points in 4 matches. They play LASK in their next conference league fixture, however, before then, they host Inter Milan in a mouthwatering Serie A clash that promises a gripping and exciting contest.
