After a year of absence and doubts about what to do with his career after the end of his adventure at Manchester United, David de Gea finally opted for Fiorentina. A choice that the last Spanish rampart quickly justified. “My heart will always be in Manchester. I received offers when I left, but it was difficult for me to accept them, so I decided to stop for a while. During this period, I trained. When Fiorentina arrived, I had clear ideas, it’s a great team with a great history and great supporters. A really easy decision to make”.
Now linked to the Viola until June 2025 (+ an optional year), the Madrid native had, however, experienced a contrasting first time under the colors of the transalpine team. In the first leg of the Europa League Conference play-off, on August 22, the former Colchoneros goalkeeper went for the ball three times in the back of his net against the modest Puskás Akadémia team (3-3). Yes, but since this meeting, the 1m92 right-hander has proven the full extent of his talent. Decisive during the penalty shootout allowing his team to qualify the following week, De Gea also confirmed in the championship.
Two penalties saved, decisive saves!
Established by his coach from the 4th day, the Spanish international (45 caps) participated in Fio’s victory against Lazio (2-1) before keeping a clean sheet in the draw conceded against Empoli ( 0-0). This Sunday, the new number 43 of the Florence club was even the author of an XXL performance at the AC Milan reception. Author of several decisive saves in a match ultimately won by the locals (2-1), De Gea particularly stood out in one area, repelling two penalties…
It was first the full-back of the French team Théo Hernandez who failed against the former Red Devils goalkeeper (45th+1), before Tammy Abraham was also defeated in the exercise (56th). A masterclass logically granting him the title of man of the match and allowing Fiorentina to move up to 10th place after a mixed start to the season. Great architect of this success, the 33-year-old goalkeeper quite simply disgusted the Rossoneri. The opportunity also to recall that he remained one of the references to his position, and this to the greatest happiness of the Viola.
