Fiorentina booked their place in the Conference League quarter finals after coming from behind to defeat Rakow 2-1 away from home, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory and setting up a meeting with Crystal Palace in the next round.
Played on a difficult surface at the ArcelorMittal Park, the opening half was a cagey affair, with the Polish side enjoying much of the possession but struggling to create clear openings despite their attempts to release Brunes in attack.
Rakow made the perfect start to the second half and broke the deadlock almost immediately in the 46th minute when Struski struck at the near post to give the home side fresh hope.
That goal jolted Fiorentina into life. The visitors began to show more urgency and almost found a response when substitute Piccoli, who had come on in place of a visibly frustrated Moise Kean, helped spark a more dangerous spell for the Italians. Fiorentina also went close through Gosens as they pushed for an equaliser.
Their reward arrived in the 68th minute. Ndour struck a volleyed effort and the ball took a decisive touch off Piccoli, who was credited with the goal as Fiorentina brought themselves level on the night and restored control of the tie.
Rakow tried to throw everything forward in the closing stages in an effort to revive their qualification hopes, but deep into stoppage time, Fiorentina produced the decisive moment. With the Polish side committed in attack, Marin Pongracic scored a sensational long-range effort into an empty net in the 97th minute to complete the turnaround and seal the win.
The result sends Fiorentina into the quarter finals with confidence after another European comeback, and the Viola will now look ahead to an intriguing showdown against Crystal Palace, who needed extra time to overcome AEK Larnaca.
