Fiorentina hold on to see off Empoli

Fiorentina's hopes of qualifying for the Europa League next season have been given a shot in the arm after they held on to beat Empoli 3-2 at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.

The Viola managed to put the disappointment of losing 3-0 against Sevilla in the first leg of their semi-final meeting in Europe's secondary competition firmly behind them, with Josip Ilicic opening the scoring just four minutes in.

Having worked his way inside, the Slovenia international curled a fine effort into the bottom corner of the net to get Fiorentina off the mark.

Riccardo Saponara levelled things up prior to the half-hour mark with a well-taken individual strike, which saw him weave his way through before tucking the ball home.

Chelsea loanee Mohamed Salah restored the visiting side's lead in the second half by holding off two opposition players and sliding the ball into the back of the net.

Fiorentina then seemingly put the game beyond reach when Ilicic doubled his personal tally, capitalising on a loose ball inside the box to bend home his second, but Levan Mchedlidze fired home off the post to give Empoli real hope in the closing stages.

There was to be no dramatic recovery for the Azzurri, however, which means that they remain in 13th place in the Serie A table, while Fiorentina occupy fifth.