After defeating Olympiacos to go to the Conference League Final, Monza was winless in six games and could not rely on Patrick Ciurria, while the Viola were missing Andrea Belotti, Jonathan Ikone, and Riccardo Sottil. Dany Mota Carvalho's permitted cross from the right gave the visitors an unexpected early lead, and Milan Djuric's signature header came after he got in front of Lucas Martinez-Quarta.
Fiorentina made an effort to answer right away, with M'Bala Nzola executing a forceful first touch to set up an offside trap on a Nico Gonzalez ball and Armando Izzo making a decisive tackle on Antonin Barak in the penalty area. After Barak's right-wing cross cleared Nzola and found Nico Gonzalez's cushioned header at the back post, the hosts did manage to equalize. To stop Alessio Zerbin, Pietro Terracciano raced off his line. Nico Gonzalez then dashed from his own half to sting Michele Di Gregorio's gloves at the close stick.