Radu Drăgușin made a strong impression in his official debut for Fiorentina, playing 87 minutes in a commanding 4-1 victory over Benevento in the “32nd round” of the Coppa Italia. The Romanian defender provided an assist for Ranieri’s third goal, earning a score of 6.5 from the local press.
Facing a newly promoted Serie B team like Benevento provided an ideal opportunity for Drăgușin to showcase his skills. The match highlighted the clear difference in quality between the two sides from the outset.
The defender, who is on loan from Tottenham, did not partner in central defense with Brazilian player Viery, as Fabio Grosso opted for Ranieri instead.
Drăgușin faced few challenges defensively, aside from the moment leading to Benevento’s lone goal. He handled various situations effectively, notably deflecting a ball that struck the crossbar of De Gea’s goal during the closing stages.
In attack, he also made his mark by heading a cross from the right flank during a set piece, which reached Ranieri for a goal—marking Drăgușin’s first assist since returning to Italy.
“Fiorentina Needed a Player with Heading Ability and Drăgușin Dominates Aerial Space”
Italian media praised Drăgușin’s performance, noting his score of 6.5. He was described as much less stressed than his defensive teammate, demonstrating attentiveness in aerial play and precision in his passing. One publication, Violanews, emphasized that he is a reliable option for Grosso, highlighting his excellent header that set up Ranieri’s goal.
Similarly, fiorentinanws.com remarked, “They mentioned that Fiorentina needed someone who could strike well with their head, and indeed he dominates aerial challenges.”
At the start of the second half, Drăgușin delivered another promising ball into Benevento’s box that, while not on target, turned into a crucial pass for Ranieri. This was another positive moment in the match.
Firenzeviola.it added to the assessment, noting his effectiveness in managing dangerous situations and his continuous efforts to connect with Ranieri to challenge Salvemini.
He provided the assist for his teammate’s goal but was caught out during Benevento’s only goal, a mistake shared by the entire defense—luckily, the score at that point was 4-0.
