Hearts suffered a big defeat in Florence to round off a horror week for Scottish sides in European competition.
It was a major case of déjà vu for the Jambos as Luka Jovic headed Fiorentina in front with less than five minutes on the clock - just like they did at Tynecastle exactly seven days ago. This time the goal came straight after Stephen Humphrys had crashed an effort off the post with just 30 seconds played. Cristiano Biraghi, Nicolas Gonzalez and Antonin Barak grabbed the other goals as the Serie A side raced into a 4-0 half-time lead.
Humphrys sent the travelling fans wild with a tidy finish just one minute into the second half to reward the thousands of supporters who remained in full voice throughout the Europa Conference League clash in Italy. The hosts wouldn't be denied in the second period with Alex Cochrane penalised for a foul in the box. Gonzalez made no mistake as he sent Craig Gordon the wrong way from the penalty spot.
READ MORE: Hearts handed UEFA fines as two incidents on Europa Conference League duty lead to punishment
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The result means Fiorentina move four points above Hearts with two games to play in the group. They aren't eliminated just yet but face an almighty task and a need for results to go their way to make it into the knockout rounds.
Here are three things we learned from Hearts' European lesson in Florence.
On repeat
Hearts conceded from a header with less than five minutes on the clock at Tynecastle last week.
It was the same scenario this week as Luka Jovic found himself with a free header to punish the Jambos.
Craig Gordon - similar to seven days ago - stood no chance of saving the effort.
It was brilliant movement from the former Real Madrid man to get himself free - but Robbie Neilson will be disappointed to concede so early on from a cross into the penalty area.
The first 45 minutes ended in the hosts firing four goals past the Scotland No1. A harsh lesson at this level of European football.
Injury curse
Nathaniel Atkinson is the latest Hearts star to limp off early from a match.
The Aussie was the hero at Rugby Park on Sunday as he scored a stunning last-gasp leveller in the 94th minute to earn a point.
He took knock after just three minutes in Florence with the hosts scoring while he was off the park getting treatment.
A return to the field lasted just 12 minutes with Toby Sibbick his replacement.
Craig Halkett, Michael Smith, Josh Ginnelly and Gary Mackay-Steven all missed the trip to Italy with injury along with long-term absentees Liam Boyce and Kye Rowles. Lewis Neilson missed out through suspension.
Tall order
Hearts still have a chance of qualification for the next stage but it will be a very, very tall order.
The Jambos now trail Fiorentina by four points and after two heavy defeats to the Serie A outfit, they will need to win their final two games and hope results go their way with the Italians holding the head to head record.
This means if both sides finished on level points the team from Florence would place higher in the group.
Hearts face RFS at Tynecastle and İstanbul Başakşehir in Turkey in their final two games in the Europa Conference League section.
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