David de Gea endured a gruelling start to life at Fiorentina as he conceded two goals in the opening 12 minutes against European minnows Puskas Akademia.
Fiorentina had to fight back from 2-0 down and eventually secured a 3-3 draw at home to Puskas AFC, Hungary’s third-best side, in the Europa Conference League play-offs.
It is a far cry from lifting the FA Cup at Wembley or bringing the Premier League back to Old Trafford for the former Manchester United goalkeeper.
De Gea has been working hard to keep himself fit and signed for Fiorentina this summer, his first club since leaving United as a free agent in June 2023.
This was his first appearance in 446 days and the Spaniard was granted no easy ride, facing five shots on target and conceding three.
David de Gea endured a nightmare start at Fiorentina, conceding twice in the first 12 minutes
He went on to concede a third as Fiorentina drew 3-3 at home with minnows Puskas Akademia
This was his first appearance in 446 days and the Spaniard was granted no easy ride, facing five shots on target and conceding three
In fairness to De Gea, facing a penalty just nine minutes into your first start for a new club is demanding and he conceded it to Hungary’s Euro 2024 Zsolt Nagy, though he did dive the right way.
The next was fired in three minutes later.
Fiorentina battled back from a two-goal deficit to take the lead, with Moise Kean handing the Italians the advantage after 75 minutes.
However, an 89th-minute equaliser from the visitors left a bitter taste in the mouth and left Fiorentina with work to do to make the group stages.
They have endured heartbreak in the last two seasons, losing the Europa Conference League finals to West Ham and Olympiacos.
Fans were quick to point fun at 33-year-old De Gea who has, it must be said, achieved more than most in the game, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, two EFL Cups, and two Europa Leagues among sundry personal honours.
‘De Gea never changed, 11 minutes bro has already shallowed 2 goals,’ one user wrote on X.
‘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,’ another wrote.
However, an 89th-minute equaliser from the visitors left a bitter taste in the mouth and left Fiorentina with work to do to make the group stages
Fans had varying levels of respect for the former Manchester United goalkeepers
De Gea has been working hard to keep himself fit and signed for Fiorentina this summer, his first club since leaving United as a free agent in June 2023
Others were eager to leap to his defence. ‘De Gea revisionism stinks, they just ignore he was the best GK in the league for 5 years. Only Ronaldo has won POTY (4 times) as much as De Gea,’ one began.
‘Since the 2018 World Cup he’s been poor but let’s not rewrite history. David De Gea is a club legend.’
Another said: ‘He did well. He had excellent saves. He should actually be Fiorentina’s number one.’
