De Gea becomes bench-warmer after disappointing debut for Fiorentina

David De Gea’s return to football after over a year has not gone as planned, with Fiorentina boss Raffaele Palladino benching him after just one game.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper, who recently joined the Italian side after several months without a club, faced an immediate setback after a disappointing debut in the UEFA Conference League.

In his first appearance for Fiorentina last Thursday, De Gea conceded two early goals against Hungarian side Puskás Akadémia, resulting in a 3-3 draw.

The performance raised concerns, leading to his exclusion from the starting lineup in Fiorentina’s subsequent Serie A match against Venezia on Sunday.

Instead, Pietro Terracciano, his second, was given the nod, and went on to secure a clean sheet in the goalless draw.

De Gea, who signed a one-year contract with an option for an additional year, had been without a club since leaving Manchester United in 2023.

His 12-year stint at Old Trafford saw him bag 545 appearances and eight major trophies, including a Premier League title.