The second leg will be played in Bergamo on April 24. Juventus beat Lazio 2-0 on Wednesday (AEDT) in the first leg of the other semi.
Thursday’s match in Florence pitted two teams that have come close to the trophy in recent years. Fiorentina lost the final to Inter Milan last season and Atalanta were defeated in the trophy match in 2019 and 2021 — by Lazio and Juventus respectively.
Fiore last won the Italian Cup in 2001, while Atalanta haven’t lifted it since 1963.
It was expected to be a balanced match, but hosts Fiorentina dominated from the start and took the lead in impressive fashion in the 31st minute. Mandragora unleashed a magnificent strike from 30 yards out that went into the top left corner off the inside of the post.
Atalanta had been pinned back into their own half for most of the opening 45 minutes and made a double change after the break.
The visitors had several decent opportunities to level matters but also had goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi to thank for keeping them in the tie — notably with a spectacular, flying save to fingertip away a looping header from Nicolás Gonzalez.
AAP
