The much-anticipated return of footballer DAVID DE GEA started with a nightmare.
After completing a free transfer to Serie A club Fiorentina at the beginning of August, the former Manchester United custodian made his debut on Thursday.
De Gea let in two early goals in the Europa Conference League play-offs, continuing a streak that began 446 days ago in May 2023, when he lost 2-1 to Ilkay Gundogan in the FA Cup.
Against the Hungarian side Puskas Academy, which is a name that few football fans will be familiar with.
The first goal, however, came from a penalty in the ninth minute.
However, in the 12th minute, his team fell behind 2-0 when the former United custodian swallowed another one.
People couldn’t resist but make fun of poor David De Gea after seeing his terrifying start.
A person said: “De Gea never changed, 11 minutes bro has already shallowed 2 goals.”
David de Gea had a nightmare debut for Fiorentina
De Gea conceded twice in the opening 12 minutes
Ex-Man Utd keeper De Gea was playing his first game in over a year
“Oh boy my favourite goalie David De Gea finally got himself signed by a club!” one user said alongside a screenshot of the scoreline. I would like to enquire about his progress during his first match against the Hungarian plumbers.
Also, a third person said, “Some things just never change.”
On the other hand, some United supporters were more understanding, acknowledging that it is unusual to see De Gea wearing a different jersey.
A person said: “Seeing De Gea wear another club’s jersey feels so weird not gonna lie.”
“How are these so-called fans trash-talking De Gea for giving up goals?” another user criticised. Our club’s legendary members, please, get a handle on it.
With only a 2005 founding, Puskas Academy managed to finish third in Hungary’s premier level last season.
The good news for De Gea is that his new teammates salvaged the situation.
Just before halftime, Riccardo Sottil restored parity for the home team.
In the second half, Fiorentina took the lead thanks to goals from Moise Kean and Lucas Martinez Quarta.
At the last minute, though, Wojciech Golla scored for Hungary to square the game at 3-3, shocking the Artemio Franchi stadium.
Fiorentina offered De Gea, 34, a one-year deal with an additional year of option.
Even manager Raffaele Palladino conceded that the Spaniard needed some downtime to regain his form following an extended absence.
He had to adjust after a year of working independently, according to the Fiorentina coach.
“He has brought great professionalism and worked a lot.”
The goalkeeper’s 12-year tenure at Old Trafford came to an end when his contract ended at the end of the 2022/23 season, and he left United.
After 12 years at Atletico Madrid, he signed with United in 2011 and played in 545 games for the club.
It is, I must admit, somewhat strange to see De Gea sporting the jersey of another team.
Supporter of Manchester United
During his time at the club, he broke Peter Schmeichel’s all-time United record for clean sheets and became the highest appearance-maker for a goalkeeper.
While playing for Manchester United, the Spaniard won no less than five major titles, including the Premier League in 2013, the FA Cup in 2016, and the Europa League in 2017.
The Premier League Golden Glove was one of many individual awards that De Gea received. He won it in 2017–18 and again in 2022–23.
On top of that, he won the award for Manchester United’s Best Player for three consecutive years, 2013–2016.
Fiorentina finished eighth in Serie A last term and reached the Europa Conference League final for the second year running but were beaten by Olympiacos.
They fell to West Ham in the 2022/23 season after Prem star Jarrod Bowen scored a 90th minute winner to seal a first European trophy since 1965 for the Hammers.