David De Gea’s highly anticipated return to football was far from the triumphant comeback many had hoped for. Fans were disappointed when the match turned into a nightmare for them as the former Manchester United goalkeeper made his debut for Fiorentina. After a 446-day hiatus, De Gea’s performance was under intense scrutiny, and unfortunately, it did not go as planned.
De Gea, who joined Fiorentina on a free transfer at the start of August, was named in the starting XI for the Europa Conference League play-off match against Hungary’s Puskas Academy. Expectations were high for the seasoned goalkeeper, who had last played in a competitive match in May 2023, conceding to Ilkay Gundogan in a 2-1 FA Cup defeat.
The match began with a sense of optimism for Fiorentina, but it quickly turned sour. In just the ninth minute, De Gea conceded a penalty, putting his team on the back foot. The situation worsened three minutes later when he allowed another goal, leaving Fiorentina trailing 2-0 within the first 12 minutes. This early setback was a huge contrast to the expectations surrounding De Gea’s return.
From Manchester United to Fiorentina
David De Gea’s transfer to Fiorentina was a significant chapter in his career. After leaving Manchester United as a free agent at the end of the 2022/23 season, De Gea spent over a year without a club. In August 2024, he signed a one-year contract with Fiorentina, with an option to extend for another year. This move to Serie A was seen as a fresh start for the 33-year-old goalkeeper, who had made 545 appearances for Manchester United over 13 years, winning multiple trophies including the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League. Fiorentina, aiming to bolster their squad, saw De Gea’s experience as a valuable asset, especially as they compete in the Europa Conference League. The transfer was a free transfer, meaning there was no transfer fee involved.
De Gea was a focal point throughout match
Fans and pundits alike had hoped that De Gea’s experience and skill would provide a solid foundation for Fiorentina’s defence. However, the reality was far from the expectations. The two early goals shook the team’s confidence and left them struggling to regain their footing. De Gea’s performance was a focal point, and his inability to prevent the early goals raised questions about his readiness and form after such a long absence from competitive football.
The match continued with Fiorentina trying to claw their way back into the game, but the damage had been done. Despite their efforts, the early goals proved too much to overcome, and the team ultimately fell short. De Gea’s debut was marred by the early mistakes, and the spotlight on his performance only intensified as the match progressed.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration. Comments ranged from disbelief to humour, with many pointing out that De Gea’s performance seemed reminiscent of his more challenging days at Manchester United. One fan wrote, “De Gea never changed, 11 minutes bro has already swallowed 2 goals,” while another posted a screenshot of the scoreline, sarcastically noting, “Oh boy, my favourite goalie David De Gea finally got himself signed by a club! Let’s check in on how he’s doing on his debut against Hungarian plumbers…”
The reaction from fans highlighted the high expectations placed on De Gea and the stark contrast between those expectations and the actual outcome. The match against Puskas Academy was supposed to be a fresh start for De Gea, a chance to prove himself once again. Instead, it turned into a reminder of the challenges he has faced in recent years.
As Fiorentina moves forward, the focus will undoubtedly be on how De Gea responds to this setback. The team and its supporters will be hoping that this match was just a blip and that De Gea can regain his form and confidence. For De Gea, the journey back to his best will require resilience and determination, qualities that have defined his career so far.
SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September.
