Key Takeaways:
- Fiorentina recorded a 3-0 win in Poland to secure their first consecutive victories this season
- Rolando Mandragora scored a stunning free-kick for his seventh goal of the campaign
- Jagiellonia suffered only their third home defeat in 10 matches ahead of next week’s return leg
First-Leg Triumph in Challenging Conditions
Fiorentina asserted themselves in the UEFA Conference League play-off, establishing a strong 3-0 advantage over Jagiellonia in the first leg held in Bialystok. The visitors navigated the challenges of missing key squad members, freezing temperatures, and a difficult pitch, ultimately securing back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Early in the match, Jagiellonia nearly punished Fiorentina for a defensive mix-up when Niccolo Fortini’s attempted clearance rebounded off Kamil Jozwiak and narrowly missed the target. Despite the hosts’ dominance in possession before the interval, Luca Lezzerini was untroubled in his first European appearance in a decade, deputising for the injured David de Gea.
The first leg is VIOLA💜⚜️#forzaviola #fiorentina #uecl pic.twitter.com/XBjsNU2Yqh
— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) February 19, 2026
Key Moments and Standout Performances
The opening half saw few chances, with Giovanni Fabbian providing the first shot on target in the 39th minute, forcing a simple save from Slawomir Abramowicz. Fabbian threatened again just before half-time, delivering a fierce half-volley that prompted a superb dive from Abramowicz, while Robin Gosens headed wide shortly thereafter.
After the restart, Fiorentina maintained their momentum and broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Jacopo Fazzini delivered a measured cross to the far post, where captain Luca Ranieri nodded in from a tight angle for his third goal of the campaign. Fiorentina nearly doubled their lead as Fortini weaved through the defence only to be denied by Abramowicz, before Alejandro Pozo had an effort disallowed for offside. Jagiellonia threatened an equaliser, with Bartlomiej Wdowik striking the post from a free-kick, but the hosts could not find the net.
The Italians extended their advantage in the 66th minute with a moment of brilliance, as Rolando Mandragora curled in a 20-yard free-kick for his seventh goal this season. Nine minutes from time, Roberto Piccoli sealed the result, converting a penalty after being fouled by Dawid Drachal to register his sixth goal of the campaign.
Statistics and Analysis
Jagiellonia pressed late for a consolation effort to take into next Thursday’s second leg in Florence, but Fiorentina’s defence remained resolute and closed out a commanding display. The win represented Fiorentina’s fourth consecutive success in Poland, and they have now secured three wins, one draw, and one defeat from five away fixtures in 2026. Jagiellonia, meanwhile, experienced only their third home defeat in their past ten competitive matches.
