Venezia 2-4 Fiorentina — Fiorentina delivered a statement performance in Italian Serie A on September 12, 2026, defeating Venezia 4-2 at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo. Moise Kean scored twice, Albert Gudmundsson pulled the strings, and La Viola answered a spirited Venezia comeback with two late goals to secure all three points.

Match overview

Venezia set up in a 3-5-2 designed to crowd the midfield and spring quick counterattacks through Joel Pohjanpalo and Nicholas Pierini. Fiorentina responded with a 4-2-3-1 that emphasized high pressure, quick ball circulation, and overloads on the flanks. The visitors controlled the opening half-hour and looked dangerous every time Gudmundsson drifted between the lines.

The game became a back-and-forth contest after the break. Venezia found belief through Gianluca Busio’s penalty and briefly levelled the score, but Fiorentina’s superior quality in the final third proved decisive. A brace from Kean and a late counterattacking finish sealed a memorable road win.

Key moments

• 9th minute — Fiorentina 0-1: Moise Kean opened the scoring with a sharp near-post finish after Gudmundsson slipped a clever pass into the box.
• 27th minute — Venezia 1-1: Joel Pohjanpalo rose above the defence to head home a measured cross from Gianluca Busio.
• 41st minute — Fiorentina 1-2: Albert Gudmundsson curled a left-footed effort into the far corner from the edge of the area.
• 55th minute — Venezia 2-2: Busio converted from the penalty spot after a handball review, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
• 67th minute — Fiorentina 2-3: Kean restored the lead with a composed finish inside the box, reacting first to a loose ball.
• 88th minute — Fiorentina 2-4: Riccardo Sottil broke clear on the counter and finished low past the goalkeeper to end Venezia’s resistance.

Tactical story

Fiorentina’s midfield double pivot of Rolando Mandragora and a deep-lying partner gave Gudmundsson the freedom to roam. Venezia tried to press man-for-man, but once Fiorentina bypassed the first line, the home side’s back three was exposed. The wide defenders were pulled apart by Sottil and the overlapping full-backs, creating space for cutbacks and late runs.

Venezia’s best spell came immediately after the restart. Their wing-backs pushed higher, Busio found pockets between the lines, and Pohjanpalo became a constant aerial threat. However, the equaliser seemed to wake Fiorentina rather than rattle them. The visitors regained control by slowing the tempo, winning second balls, and attacking the spaces Venezia left behind.

Standout players

• Moise Kean (Fiorentina): Two goals, constant movement, and a physical battle won against Venezia’s centre-backs.
• Albert Gudmundsson (Fiorentina): One goal and one assist; the creative hub of nearly every dangerous attack.
• Gianluca Busio (Venezia): A goal from the spot and several incisive passes; Venezia’s most influential player.
• Joel Pohjanpalo (Venezia): A well-taken header and a handful of half-chances that kept Fiorentina nervous.

Serie A table impact

The victory lifts Fiorentina into the early-season chase for European places, reinforcing their reputation as one of Serie A’s most watchable attacking sides. For Venezia, the defeat leaves them searching for consistency in the lower half of the standings. The result also adds to Kean’s growing case in the Serie A top scorers conversation.

Fiorentina will take confidence from scoring four away goals, while Venezia can point to their second-half response as evidence that they can compete. The match produced six goals, a penalty, and a late counterattack that will feature in the weekend’s highlights — exactly the kind of drama Serie A followers have come to expect.