The New Saints frustrate Italian giants Fiorentina for 65 minutes in David vs Goliath European Conference League tie

Welsh Premier side TNS did themselves proud in their first of six Europa Conference League group fixtures, nearly embarrassing a Serie A side more used to playing clubs like Juventus and AC Milan

22:09, 03 Oct 2024Updated 06:51, 04 Oct 2024

Fiorentina's Yacine Adli, left, fights for the ball with The New Saints' Josh Daniels during the Conference League soccer match between Fiorentina and The New Saints at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, Thursday, October 3(Image: AP)

Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints (TNS) frustrated Italian giants Fiorentina in their European clash on Thursday night, keeping the game goalless for 65 minutes before slipping to defeat.

The Welsh side have made history, competing as the first Cymru Premier side to qualify for the group stage of a European competition. On Thursday, October 3, they took on Fiorentina in their first of six Europa Conference League group fixtures.

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The contest was a real David vs Goliath affair, with the total value of TNS’ squad estimated to be around €3 million, compared to Fiorentina's €300 million. But the Welsh side contained the Italians well, keeping the game 0-0 in Florence until the 65th minute, despite a lot of pressure. But they then eventually conceded after a strike inside the box from Yacine Adli. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

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Fiorentina's Fabiano Parisi, centre, fights for the ball with The New Saints' Jack Bodenham(Image: AP)

Unfortunately for TNS, they conceded a second four minutes later, with former Everton striker Moise Kean finding the net for Fiorentina. The game ended 2-0.

TNS, who won 30 out of 32 games in the Welsh Premier League last year with no losses, will play home ties against Panathinaikos, Djurgarden and Astana, and away fixtures against Shamrock Rovers and Celje. Their fixture list in Europe is as follows: The New Saints vs Astana – Thursday, October 24, 8pm, Shamrock Rovers vs The New Saints – Thursday, November 7, 5.45pm, The New Saints vs Djurgården – Thursday, November 28, 5.45pm, The New Saints vs Panathinaikos – Thursday, December 12, 8pm, Celje vs The New Saints – Thursday, December 19, 8pm.

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