Europa League

[monks data]

Europa League | Round-Of-32

Feb 20, 2014 at 6pm UK

Esbjerg Esbjerg
1-3
Fiorentina

Pusic (11')

FT(HT: 1-3)

Matri (9'), Ilicic (15'), Aquilani (35' pen.)

Fiorentina dominate in Esbjerg

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 20 February 2014

Fiorentina take a big step towards qualifying for the last-16 of the Europa League with a 3-1 win against Esbjerg.

Fiorentina edged past Esbjerg 3-1 at the Blue Water Arena in the Europa League this evening.

Fiorentina's Borja Valero and Esbjerg's Jonas Knudsen in action during their Europa League match on February 20, 2014 © AFP

All four goals were inside the first 15 minutes and La Viola raced into a two-goal lead as Alessandro Matri's strike followed Alberto Aquilani's early penalty.

However, the Danish side pulled a goal back through Martin Pusic a minute after Matri's effort.

The Serie A side restored their advantage six minutes later when Josip Illic scored after pouncing on a defensive mistake to rifle the ball home.

Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto had to be alert on a couple of occasions to deny the home side in the first half, but Vicenzo Montella's side were comfortable throughout the second period and take a commanding lead back to Italy.