Orban Strikes Twice as Verona Escape Florence with Vital Win

Gift Orban's predatory instincts in the 93rd minute delivered Hellas Verona their first victory of the season, as the visitors stunned Fiorentina 1-2 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in a crucial relegation six-pointer. The Nigerian striker's left-footed finish from close range, assisted by Antoine Bernede, sparked wild celebrations among the traveling support and lifted 20th-placed Verona above their hosts on goal difference alone.

Orban had already announced his arrival with a spectacular opener in the 42nd minute, rifling a right-footed effort from outside the box into the bottom right corner after Al Musrati's perfectly weighted through ball caught Fiorentina's defense napping on the counter-attack. The strike silenced the home crowd and exposed the defensive frailties that have plagued both sides throughout their winless campaigns. Verona's clinical finishing on the break contrasted sharply with Fiorentina's labored approach, despite the hosts dominating possession at 65.7%.

Fiorentina's equalizer arrived through the most unlikely of sources in the 69th minute, when Unai Núñez deflected Moise Kean's goal-bound effort past his own goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò. The own goal came after David de Gea had kept the hosts in contention with a crucial save from Roberto Gagliardini's long-range drive, while Nicolò Fagioli orchestrated much of Fiorentina's attacking play from midfield.

The numbers told the story of Fiorentina's frustration - despite their territorial advantage and 20 shots to Verona's 13, they managed just four efforts on target compared to the visitors' three. Albert Gudmundsson and Kean repeatedly found themselves crowded out by Verona's compact defensive shape, with Armel Bella-Kotchap and the unfortunate Núñez standing firm under sustained pressure.

The turning point arrived in those frantic final minutes when Verona's counter-attacking threat proved decisive once more. Orban had already gone close with a header in the 62nd minute and fired narrowly wide in the 81st, but his persistence paid dividends when Bernede's assist set up the winner that sent the away end into raptures.

Fiorentina now face a crucial test against Lausanne Sports on December 18 as they desperately seek their first victory of the campaign. Meanwhile, Verona will hope this breakthrough provides momentum ahead of their daunting encounter with AC Milan on December 28, knowing that escaping the relegation zone requires building on this precious away triumph.