Fiorentina staged a remarkable second-half turnaround to claim a 4-2 win against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium, as Franco Mastantuono found the net in the 79th minute and Victor Valdepenas sealed the result with a fourth goal in added time.

Armand Laurienté netted twice for the home side, but strikes from Mateo Pellegrino, Alieu Njie, Mastantuono, and Valdepenas gave Paolo Vanoli’s team all three points in a thrilling contest.

Sassuolo goes ahead against Fiorentina

Sassuolo came into the match sitting 14th in Serie A with eight points, following a crushing 6-2 home loss to Lazio on Tuesday. Alberto Aquilani was missing the suspended Kristian Thorstvedt, who had been dismissed in that game, along with long-term absentees Koné and Leysen. Jay Idzes, though, was back in the starting eleven.

Fiorentina had extra motivation to secure a good result, as they were positioned just above the relegation places with five points after a 2-2 draw with Atalanta. Vanoli was still without Marin Pongračić and Parisi.

The away side controlled more of the ball in the early phases, with Mastantuono sending an early shot wide before Stefano Turati kept out Mateo Pellegrino’s header from Viery’s delivery.

Even though Fiorentina started brightly, Sassuolo took the lead in the 25th minute. Sebastiano Esposito released Laurienté on a rapid break, and the French attacker calmly slotted a low finish into the bottom-left corner.

Mastantuono nearly levelled with a free kick that went just off target, while Radu Drăgușin, Ibrahim Sulemana, and Alieu Njie received yellow cards during a tense end to the first half.

Mateo Pellegrino and Alieu Njie flip the match

Fiorentina finally equalised in first-half injury time. Njie found Pellegrino inside the box, and the forward cut past his defender before placing a precise shot into the bottom-left corner.

The visitors took that momentum into the second half and went in front just five minutes after the break. Marco Brescianini supplied the pass to Njie, who beat Turati with a low strike from outside the area into the bottom-right corner.

Turati kept Sassuolo from conceding again when he made a crucial save against Mastantuono after a fine solo run.

But the home team stayed threatening and equalised again in the 65th minute. Nemanja Matić crossed for Laurienté, who produced an excellent finish from a narrow angle, finding the top-right corner.

Referee Marcenaro checked for a possible handball in the build-up, but the goal was ultimately awarded.

Mastantuono nets decisive Fiorentina goal

With the score level once more, both coaches made substitutions in pursuit of a winner. Vanoli brought on Wilfried Gnonto, Christ Inao Oulaï, Beto, and Pote, while Sassuolo had to replace the injured Sebastian Walukiewicz.

Fiorentina’s changes paid off quickly. Only two minutes after entering, Pote linked with Mastantuono, who took control before firing a left-footed shot from the edge of the box into the bottom-left corner.

That goal put Fiorentina back in front and left Sassuolo with another mountain to climb. Beto then wasted a chance to make the result safe, shooting over from long range as the visitors aimed to close out the game.

Sassuolo found it hard to create a clear chance to equalise for a third time, and Fiorentina ultimately secured the win in stoppage time.

Victor Valdepenas delivered the final goal, wrapping up a memorable 4-2 away victory for Vanoli’s side in a match that saw two Sassuolo comebacks and a key impact from Fiorentina’s substitutes.