WANDERERS matched Serie A Fiorentina stride for stride in a surprisingly frisky friendly at the Toughsheet Stadium.

Victor Adeboyejo made sure Bolton had something to show for an encouraging display, Josip Brekalo having given the Italians the lead midway through the first half.

The only downside for Ian Evatt on the night was an apparent injury to Aaron Collins, who was subbed at half time after limping off the field with a badly gashed knee.

But from a playing perspective, there was plenty to admire against a Fiorentina side stacked with experience and quality.

Given there were six full internationals in La Viola’s starting line-up, the first half proved a surprisingly even affair even though Croatian Josip Brekalo’s 21st minute strike separated the sides at half time.

Wanderers had not at any point been overawed, even though Ian Evatt will feel Will Forrester or Max Conway could have dealt better with Maat Daniel Caprini before he pulled the ball back from the byline for Brekalo to beat Nathan Baxter from eight yards.

Klaidi Lolos should definitely have levelled the scores soon after, hitting the crossbar after Josh Dacres-Cogley, George Thomason and Aaron Collins has presented him with a golden chance close in.

Victor Adeboyejo will also feel he could have done more with a far post header after connecting with Dacres-Cogley’s cross, his appeal for handball from Pietro Comuzzo falling on deaf ears.

Whilst true, Baxter did also pull off a marvellous early fingertip save to push Cristiano Biraghi’s drive past his far post, there was plenty to admire from Bolton, who played a modified 3-4-3 system which has been used throughout pre-season so far.

Ricardo Santos coped admirably with the presence of Moise Kean, who moved to Florence from Juventus in the summer for £13million. The former Everton man had one decent chance very early in the game that was dragged wide but got little change elsewhere.

Dacres-Cogley was a constant threat down the left, producing one sumptuous ball for Adeboyejo and a couple of other crosses that deserved better.

And in possession, Wanderers two central midfielders, Josh Sheehan and George Thomason, continue to look comfortable in this new role.

It would have been a unanimous thumbs up at the break had Aaron Collins not limped back down the tunnel, having been treated on the pitch for a couple of minutes prior to half time.

The Welshman was replaced by Scott Arfield at the break, another injury the last thing that Evatt and his side need with a fortnight to the start of the League One season.

Fiorentina had a half-chance at the start of the second half to extend their lead, Santos bundled off the ball by Kean, who slashed a shot against the outside of the post from a tight angle.

Bolton remained unruffled, however, and continued to play a measured game. The chances were not quite as plentiful in the opening 15 minutes, but they kept the ball well, allowing very little pressure to build the other way.

Fiorentina, only at the very start of their pre-season, began to rotate their players. Bolton picked up the slack and deservedly got themselves level.

Dacres-Cogley was felled after a good exchange with Arfield on the right, winning a free kick. Josh Sheehan whipped the ball in, keeper Pietro Terracciano flapped, and suddenly a chance opened up for Adeboyejo, who smashed in his second goal of pre-season.

That helped Bolton step up a gear again. And if the home fans hadn’t livened up at that point, they certainly did when George Johnston rattled into a challenge on Kean less than a minute after he came on to the pitch.

It was the defender’s first home appearance since the play-off semi-final against Barnsley in May 2023, and how the fans have missed him, even if there were a few relieved faces when referee Madley only showed a yellow card.

There had been a few typically cynical challenges in the first half from Fiorentina’s wilier defenders – par for the course one might say – but the touchpaper was really lit from that point onward. Luca Ranieri steamed into a challenge on George Thomason, prompting the second pile-on in five minutes, the officials eventually restoring calm and handing the Italian defender another yellow.

Brazilian full-back Dodo then did his level best to provoke Jack Iredale into a response, eventually earning himself a booking with the sheer level of complaint.

It was a shame that Bolton could not find a winner as the game lurched into a bit of a panto by the end – Dan Nlundulu’s impressive performance from the bench certainly warranted something.