Forthcoming Bayern opponents Lazio Rome did not sell well at the end of the 26th Serie A matchday – and yet took the lead at times. But Florence, who were plagued by bad luck at the posts, settled the matter
Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, who had recently recorded a disappointing 1-1 draw at relegation candidates Empoli, shook his head midway through the first 45 minutes and especially at the end. Just like every Viola fan on this Monday evening in the course of the 26th Serie A matchday – as well as one or two neutral spectators.
Because somehow the home side from Tuscany managed not to go into the break with at least a 1-0 lead at the Artemio Franchi, which was not full to capacity. Instead, Rome coach Maurizio Sarri – most recently successful with a 2-0 win in the replay at FC Torino and previously in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Bayern Munich (1-0) – was able to record a 1-0 lead at the end.
Post, Casale, post, post – and Lazio’s lead
But first things first: First of all, the Florentines had put their stamp on the game between these two table neighbors in the battle for international business right from the start. The Viola set the tone and pushed forward in succession with the extremely ball-safe build-up players Bonaventura and Arthur, while Immobile and his colleagues remained mighty pale at the other end.
After the first approach shots, Arthur fired over in the 10th minute before things got turbulent: First, former Stuttgart player Gonzalez shot against the left post from a free position on the right-hand side of the sixteen, before Bonaventura tried to force a clearance from close range immediately afterwards – and despaired at an incredible save by Lazio defender Casale (both in the 18th minute). But that was by no means enough: Roma loanee Belotti also nodded the ball onto the left post after a corner (24′), failed to get another shot on target from a good position (40′) – and watched as a Biraghi corner kick, including a possibly minimal Gonzalez touch, rattled the far right post (41′).
To make matters worse, the visitors from the capital then showed their attacking spirit once more before the break – and it was all over: After a great opening pass from Immobile out on the right, ex-Hertha man Guendouzi headed into the center for Luis Alberto, who ran through. The Spaniard took it in his stride, looked up and humorlessly slotted into the bottom right corner for an undeserved lead (45′).
Kayode and Bonaventura reward a relentless Florence after all
The second half began quietly, with both teams playing evenly and chances were in short supply. That was until the Violets got back into the game, pinned Lazio back and challenged goalkeeper Provedel with a Ranieri header (60′). Somehow it seemed to be jinxed.
However, Fiorentina finally broke the scoring jinx: After a slightly deflected Belotti cross, the 19-year-old defender Kayode scored from close range to make it 1:1 (61′) – his first ever Serie A goal. But that wasn’t all: the knot had been broken, even if offensive genius Gonzalez scored four from the spot after a penalty was awarded (67′). Two minutes later, however, 34-year-old veteran Bonaventura dusted off a too-central Provedel defense after Beltran’s shot to make it 2:1 (69′). The stadium in Tuscany went wild and celebrated the long overdue lead
The score remained at 2:1 because the visitors from Rome really couldn’t come up with anything else. Only substitute Vecino had a final chance, but he missed the target (90.+5). AC Fiorentina, who clinched only their second three-pointer of the year with this home win and yet moved back ahead of Lazio in the table, will face FC Torino on Saturday (20:45). The Biancocelesti will play a difficult clash with Milan on Friday (8.45pm) before hosting FC Bayern in Munich on Tuesday (9pm).
