Rolando Mandragora’s wonder strike gave Fiorentina a slender 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta.

The 26-year-old lashed home a spectacular shot from outside the penalty area in off a post in the first half and that was all the home side had to show for their dominance.

Sixth-placed Atalanta are currently four places and seven points better off than Fiorentina in Serie A, but will be relieved to have left the Stadio Artemio Franchi with just a one-goal deficit.

Fiorentina, who beat Bologna 5-4 on penalties in the quarter-finals, wasted a string of chances either side of half-time.

Nicolas Gonzalez had an early shot blocked and Giacomo Bonaventura fired narrowly wide from outside the penalty area as Fiorentina made the more enterprising start.

Nikola Milenkovic headed wide for La Viola and Lucas Beltran’s effort from a tight angle was held by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi before Mandragora gave the home side a deserved lead in stunning fashion.

The defensive midfielder unleashed a swerving, dipping shot from 30 yards, which crashed against Carnesecchi’s right-hand post and into the net.

Gonzalez fired wide as Fiorentina looked to double their advantage at the end of the first half in which Atalanta, 3-0 winners at reigning champions Napoli on Saturday, failed to have one effort on target.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, 2-1 winners at AC Milan in the last eight, were much-improved after the break.

Defender Isak Hien’s shot was well saved by Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano and Berat Djimsiti’s effort was blocked.

Fiorentina threatened to double their lead through Gonzalez, who was twice denied by Carnesecchi, and as the game opened up, Atalanta defender Mitchel Bakker fired a low angled shot wide.

Andrea Belotti’s header for Fiorentina was blocked and Luca Ranieri spurned a golden chance when shooting wide from close range following a corner.

Gianluca Scamacca went close to an Atalanta equaliser with 10 minutes left, but the Italy striker’s fierce low shot from the edge of the box was superbly saved by Terracciano.

Atalanta defender Emil Holm saw a late header comfortably saved by Terracciano as the two sides played out a goalless, but entertaining, second period.

The return leg is on April 24 and the winners will play Juventus or Lazio in the final in Rome on May 15.

Nico Gonzalez is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured metatarsal during Valencia's 2-1 LaLiga defeat to Villarreal on New Year's Eve.

The midfielder, who joined Valencia on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona in August, did the damage in the second half of Saturday's game.

On New Year's Day, Valencia revealed the extent of the damage Nico has sustained.

The club said in a statement: "Nico Gonzalez has been diagnosed with a fracture of his fifth left metatarsal, suffered in the LaLiga game against Villarreal CF.

"The player and the Valencia CF medical team will assess treatment options for the injury."

Nico, who turns 21 on Tuesday, has made 13 LaLiga appearances for Gennaro Gattuso's side this season, with just six of those coming as a starter.

He signed a long-term deal with Barca before making a temporary move to their LaLiga rivals.

Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez has completed a season-long loan move to LaLiga rivals Valencia.

The 20-year-old broke into Barca's first team last season, scoring two goals and providing as many assists in 37 appearances.

With Franck Kessie among the Blaugrana's new signings and Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva reportedly a target, Nico informed Xavi he wanted to move on in order to be given more playing time.

Valencia on Saturday confirmed Nico will spend the 2022-23 campaign at the Mestalla Stadium.

Barca's head coach Xavi on Friday stated that he had mixed feelings over Nico's temporary switch.

He said: "[Nico] came to me three weeks ago. I insisted that he continue because he would have minutes. I like Nico.

"But a few days ago he came back and told me that there was a team where he would play. He has been brave and is going to Valencia.

"I hope he comes back more mature because it must be important for the future of Barca. For the midfield we have [Sergio] Busquets, [Miralem] Pjanic, Kessie, Frenkie [de Jong], Sergi Roberto, and even [Andreas] Christensen, who can play there."

Valencia start their season at home to newly promoted Girona on Sunday, while Barca face Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Nicolas Gonzalez rates the likelihood of him remaining at Stuttgart next season as 50-50, though he has not had contact with Borussia Dortmund.

A haul of 14 league goals last season was key to Stuttgart's return to the Bundesliga, where the 22-year-old Argentina international has found the next six times and supplied two assists in 13 appearances.

Gonzalez averages just under five shots per 90 minutes and a goal involvement every 108.5 minutes – the only Dortmund player with a better rate is Erling Haaland (73.9).

Juventus and Tottenham have also been linked with a move for Gonzalez, who last November extended his contract with Stuttgart until June 2023.

The former Argentinos Juniors attacker is keen to take a step forward in his career but denied holding discussions with Dortmund.

"I give everything for VfB and I am happy here," Gonzalez told Sport Bild.

"But I want to advance to the next level at some point. I would say the chances of me playing in Stuttgart next season are 50-50.

"I haven't spoken to Dortmund, that's my advisor's responsibility anyway. But BVB are a top club."