Ghanaian teenager Ashong marks Fiorentina debut with Coppa Italia win

Published on: 25 November 2011

Ghanaian teenager Nii Notery Ashong played his first match for Italian Serie A side Fiorentina on Thursday in the Coppa Italia.

The 18-year-old centre-back was handed a starting role by new Fiorentina coach Delio Rossi who rested a number of first team players for the midweek Cup match.

Ashong, who moved from Triestina to the La Voila in the summer, last 75 minutes on the pitch and was replaced by Micahael Camporese.

Compatriot and former Ghana Under-20 player Salifu Amidu was an unused substitute.

Empoli had the better of the opening exchanges of play, but Fiorentina's 59 per cent possession reflects the overall pattern to the game.

Cerci opened the scoring with an individual effort, before an assist from Riccardo Montolivo ensured his second of the night.

That second strike proved to be decisive as the visitors pulled a goal back through second-half substitute Irakli Shekiladze.

This set up a tense final quarter of the match that was characterized by the balance between Fiorentina's attempts to score a third goal and their cautious defending to avoid conceding again.

A beaten finalist last year with Palermo and a past competition winner with Lazio, Rossi has outlined that the Coppa Italia is being taken seriously by Fiornetina.

La Viola will face Roma in the Round of 16.

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