Cristiano Biraghi’s cheeky halfway free-kick goal stuns Verona as audacious lob ends up in the net
>
Fiorentina left back Cristiano Biraghi catches Verona with a cheeky free kick from inside his OWN HALF as the ball goes over the keeper as the opposing players continue to protest to the referee.
- Cristiano Biraghi has scored one of the goals of the Serie A season against Verona
- The Italian midfielder for Fiorentina scored from midfield with a cheeky lob
- Verona players were furious that the goal should not have been allowed to stand
Cristiano Biraghi’s audacious goal at midfield caused chaos in Serie A as his goal pushed Verona’s hopes of survival even further.
Biraghi secured victory when his 89th-minute goal saw Fiorentina wrap up a dominant performance against one of the league relegation favorites.
But it was the nature of his effort that caused an outburst of anger inside the Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium.
Biraghi capitalized on a moment of confusion when Fiorentina won a free kick inside the center circle in the dying embers of the game.
Visiting midfielder Rolando Mandragora was fouled and, while still on the ground, saw his teammate shoot the ball past nearby players and into a nearly open goal.
Cristiano Biraghi (left) caused chaos after his half-back token for Fiorentina on Sunday
The Italian’s chip sent the Verona players into a rage as they felt the goal should not have held
The referee had blown his whistle for the free kick to be taken, but it appears only Biraghi was paying attention as those around him continued to discuss the earlier foul.
A Verona player was even helping an injured Madragora recover when the nearby ball spun towards the goal.
Home goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo was caught off his line by the sudden shot and was unable to recover the necessary yardage as a desperate hand tried to keep the ball out.
Biraghi hits the ball from midfield while his injured teammate Rolando Mandragora remained on the ground
His effort went over the top of Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo (pictured), who had been caught off his line.
Biraghi (centre) recreated the famous celebration of former Fiorentina player Davide Astori
TV commentators, fans on the pitch and the players were initially confused as to what had just transpired as Biraghi ran to the corner flag to celebrate.
His celebration then evoked further ferocity from the howling crowd as the striker paid tribute to former Fiorentina captain Davide Astori.
Astori passed away in 2018 on the eve of his team’s clash against Udinese after he was found unconscious in his hotel room. It is later revealed that he had suffered a heart problem in his sleep.
Some Verona players had to be retained full-time in their bid to give Biraghi some peace of mind after the Italian’s outstanding long-range effort.