Fiorentina reignited their push for European qualification after ending a run of three consecutive Serie A defeats with a 2-0 win over AS Roma at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The UEFA Europa Conference League finalists were a goal down inside the first five minutes after Rick Karsdorp brought down Nicolás González on the edge of the box and the VAR intervened to persuade Marco Guida to view the pitchside monitor. González confidently dispatched the subsequent penalty and sent Rui Patrício the wrong way.
Roma were clearly rocked by the setback and conceded a second goal inside the opening quarter of an hour, as Giacomo Bonaventura was seemingly afforded the freedom of Florence to surge towards the box and fire a shot into the bottom corner. The ‘Giallorossi’ showed signs of a recovery when Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick was pushed to safety by Pietro Terracciano. Bonaventura thought he got his second and Fiorentina’s third in a shot that squirmed through Patrício’s grasp, but the shot-stopper’s blushes were spared by the linesman’s flag.
The ‘Viola’ had another shout for a penalty in the second half, as González looked to have been brought down by Bryan Cristante in the box. But despite going to a VAR review, no penalty was awarded – a decision which puzzled Vincenzo Italiano. Roma carried little threat going forward, but Tammy Abraham came within inches of halving the deficit when he met a cross from the left-hand side with a header that went wide of the far post. Fiorentina were looking for a third goal to potentially kill off the contest, however, Patrício was on hand to tip Sofyan Amrabat’s effort over the bar. The Portuguese goalkeeper was one of few Roma players that could emerge from this contest with any credit, and reacted quickly to thwart Youssef Maleh in a one-on-one chance.
It was a disappointing night for José Mourinho’s side, who have now gone three away league matches without a win. Only goal difference now separates Roma and Fiorentina in sixth and seventh places respectively.
