Fiorentina went into tonight's Serie A clash with Roma desperate for a victory to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Roma travelled to Florence in a fine run of form but struggled to create chances in a fierce first half.
Fiorentina gradually took control of the match but Stevan Jovetic and David Pizarro both hit the woodwork as Vincenzo Montella's men were frustrated.
Deep into stoppage time Roma snatched an impressive victory as Pablo Daniel Osvaldo headed home from close range against his former club.
Look back at a huge win for Aurelio Andreazzoli's side with Sports Mole minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening Serie A fans! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for an intriguing clash from Italy as fourth-placed Fiorentina take on a Roma side full of attacking intent in a clash with implications in the race for European qualification.
Fiorentina have been on top form in recent weeks to keep the race for Champions League places with AC Milan firmly alive. Vincenzo Montella's side have won four of their last six games and will move third for at least 24 hours with three points this evening.
Roma arrive in Florence full of confidence after building a four-match unbeaten run to revive their search for a Europa League place. Last week's 4-0 thrashing of Siena sums up the attacking impetus of Andreazzoli's side, who can salvage a stuttering season if they maintain a strong run of recent form.
Both sides look full of goals in what promises to be an exciting encounter this evening. Fiorentina have netted seven in their last two games, while Roma have scored at least once in all of their last four matches. With Francesco Totti and Stevan Jovetic both on show tonight's match between Serie A heavyweights features two sides who have been entertaining all season long!
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting lineups are in from Florence and feature a huge boost for the home side, with Jovetic fit to lead the line in attack. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
FIORENTINA: Viviano, Tomovic, Rodriguez, Compper, Pasqual, Pizarro, Aquilani, Valero, Cuadrado, Jovetic, Ljajic
ROMA: Lobont, Torosidis, Burdisso, Castan, Balzaretti, De Rossi, Bradley, Lamela, Totti, Florenzi, Osvaldo
The inclusion of highly-rated talisman Jovetic should lift La Viola, with Adem Ljajic and Juan Cuadrado completing a pacy three-man attack. Stefan Savic is out through suspension in central defence, with Marvin Compper deputising alongside Gonzalo Rodriguez.
An intricate, experienced midfield has helped Fiorentina thrive this season and this evening La Viola are just about at full strength in that area. Alberto Aquilani and Borja Varelo will link play in the middle third, with David Pizarro holding to protect a three-man defence.
Roma have first-choice goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg out through suspension, with Romanian international Bogdan Lobont coming in to take his place. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo also keeps his place in attack after scoring a hat-trick against Siena last weekend.
Osvaldo's inclusion means that Totti will occupy a wide position, with Erik Lamela also providing support in an advanced position. Alessandro Florenzi keeps his place in midfield, with Daniele De Rossi fit to start in a holding role alongside Michael Bradley.
The visitors also have Mattia Destro back from suspension, with the young striker named on the bench. A full look at the substitutes at both manager's disposal will follow in just a few moments.
FIORENTINA SUBS: Neto, Hegazi, El Hamdaoui, Lupatelli, Fernandez, Larrondo, Llama, Migliaccio, Wolski, Toni, Romulo
ROMA SUBS: Goicoechea, Marquinhos, Marquinho, Taddei, Pjanic, Lopez, Perrotta, Destro, Piris, Dodo, Romagnoli, Tachtsidis
PREDICTION: With both sides combined failing to score just once in their last 14 matches, surely we can expect an exciting clash between creative teams this evening. Fiorentina are more desperate for the points and I think that drive can guide La Viola to a vital 3-1 win, with Jovetic marking his return from injury with a goal!
We are slightly late getting underway at the Artemio Franchi, but Roma eventually emerge and we are just about ready to start in an exciting clash between fourth and fifth in Serie A. Can Roma dent Fiorentina's Champions League hopes and keep their own European aspirations alive? We are about to find out!
Roma get us underway in changed white strip and immediately implement a short passing game. Fiorentina have noticeably switched to back four this evening as Pizarro commits the game's first foul early on by bringing down De Rossi near the halfway line.
The visitors have started slightly the brighter as Balzaretti tests Tomovic with a long ball over the top. Roma eventually win a free kick just outside the penalty area as Totti is bundled over by Gonzalo. The veteran forward gets up to take and sees a powerful, central drive palmed clear by Viviano.
Totti hesitates with the chance to shoot from 20 yards, with his eventual strike from range charged down by a committed block from Pizarro, who looks up for the fight against his old club. At the other Cuadrado uses his place to win a free kick in the final third, but Pasqual's curling cross fails to beat the first defender.
Jovetic tests Lobont with a speculative effort from distance, but the keeper reads his low strike early to make a routine save at his near post. Fiorentina quickly attack again through Pasqual, who has a powerful cross headed clear by Burdisso.
Clever link-up play from Osvaldo and Florenzi nearly sets Totti free in the penalty area, but La Viola have enough cover in defence to clear with authority. Both sides look full of attacking intent as expected early on but have just failed to create a clear-cut opportunity so far.
Lamela charges forward and takes on two players, before having his positive run blocked by a combination Tomovic and Rodriguez to win a free kick just outside the penalty area. Totti takes and again opts for power over placement, with the Viola wall strong enough to block his central effort.
The home side launch a counter as Aquilani strides forward in space. He eventually picks out Ljajic, who has a shot from 20 yards deflected over for a corner kick. Fiorentina send numbers forward for the set piece, but Jovetic is penalised for handball when the cross eventually arrives.
Totti misplaces a pass out wide to Lamela as Roma struggle to break down Fiorentina's deep four-man defence. At the other end Pasqual breaks forward quickly from full-back to win a corner kick, with Pizarro's attempted chip towards Valero just lacking a delicate touch.
Roma establish a sustained spell of pressure but their good work counts for nothing as De Rossi's long diagonal towards Balzaretti drifts out for a goal kick. The visitors are quick to recycle possession, with Castan striding forward to find Totti. His curling cross picks out the late run of Florenzi, who heads well over despite being unmarked from close range.
An incisive Fiorentina break sees Valero drive into the penalty to meet a pass from Cuadrado, but a last-gasp challenge from Burdisso keeps the home side at bay. Lamela then leads a fast charge towards goal at the other end, but has to settle for a corner kick as the Argentine is crowded out in the penalty area. Signs that this match is opening up in the last few minutes, with Aquilani next to hammer wide with a hopeful drive from distance.
Valero concedes a cheap free kick as he bundles into the back of Totti around 30 yards from goal. Once again the veteran's effort from the following set piece is disappointing and hits the wall.
Osvaldo is next to be penalised for a late lunge on Gonzalo, allowing Fiorentina the chance to clear their lines. For a pair of free-scoring sides there has been a distinct lack of quality in the final third so far this evening, with Jovetic and Lamela staved of service.
SHOT! Totti leads a swift Roma counter and finds Osvaldo with a pass inside two central defenders. The forward shifts onto his right foot but curls a low effort safely into the waiting arms of Viviano. Cuadrado then creates a chance for Fiorentina at the other end, smashing into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Aquilani, Jovetic and Valero fly forward as Fiorentina launch a quick counter with numbers forward. Pasqual eventually wins a corner kick, with Roma keeper Lobont kncoked out cold after punching clear under a challenge from Gonzalo. Expect a lengthy delay here while the Romanian international receives treatment.
Lobont fortunately returns to his feet quickly but his still bleeding from his nose. After at least two minutes of treatment play eventually resumes, with Fiorentina quickly back in possession as Ljajic drives into the final third.
Ljajic shows pace and purpose to drive forward before finding Pasqul in space out wide. The full-back's cross is aimed into the penalty area, but Jovetic fails to read his teammate's intentions and a dangerous delivery drifts out aimlessly for a goal kick.
OFF THE POST! Jovetic reacts quickly to meet a deflected shot from Jovetic and smashes a low shot towards goal. His drive looks destined for the far corner but a tremendous late save from Lobont tips the ball onto the post. Desperately unlucky for Fiorentina but that has to go down as a fine save from the stand-in Roma stopper.
Roma are quick to counter through Bradley, who drives beyond a static defence to send a speculative cross-come-shot along the six-yard box. Unfortunately for the visitors Lamela is caught on his heels and fails to make contact, allowing La Viola to clear with relative ease.
Once again Pasqual bombs into the final third and crosses under little pressure, but Lobont reads the danger and comes to claim with authority. Florenzi is then penalised for a foul on Cuadrado and concedes a free kick just outside the penalty area.
Jovetic's free kick comes back off Pasqual just beyond the wall and is then hammered into touch by Balzarrei. The fourth official has signaled four minutes of additional time, which is likely due to the extended stoppage as Lobont received treatment.
Fiorentina maintain a prolonged spell of pressure as Cuadrado switches wings to win a corner kick. Roma then concede an foul thanks to Bradley's clumsy challenge on Pizarro, which sees the American fortunate to escape without a caution.
HALF-TIME Fiorentina 0-0 Roma
Ljajic ends a frustrating first half for both sides by blazing wide form a free kick. Roma threatened early on before Fiorentina's composed, precise midfield passing began to control the match.
Despite a pitch littered with quality attacking players we have seen a frustrating lack of control in the final third tonight. Jovetic could and probably should have scored before the break when he struck the post from close range, while Roma's best chance saw Florenzi head wide from eight yards.
Erik Lamela has been a real disappointment for Roma this evening, with the promising playmaker largely anonymous. On the bright side for the visitors Bradley and De Rossi have helped Andreazzoli's side stay solid by covering significant ground in central midfield.
The pressure is definitely on Fiorentina to show more urgency and push the pace after the break. With AC Milan expected to beat Torino tomorrow Montella's men know a victory is essential tonight to keep their Champions League chase on track.
Roma also need a positive result to keep their Europa League qualification hopes on course, and scoring in each of their last six matches they always pose a live threat on the counter. Expect to see Destro or Pjanic arrive in the second half if the game remains goalless.
La Viola also have attacking players at their disposal, with veteran striker Luca Toni their most notable option from the bench. El Hamdaoui and Fernandez are also often introduced late on and could help bring pace and fresh legs to the final third in the closing stages.
The home side have surprisingly posed the most threat through full-back Pasqual in the first period. With Roma keeping a compact, central shape without possession the 31-year-old has time and space to roam forward, but has so far failed to deliver with quality when given the opportunity.
Both sides are back out in Florence, but which team will show more urgency to chase down three precious points when play resumes? Surely two sides full of such attacking intent can give us a goal in the second half!
SUBSTITUTION: Roma have been forced into a change at the break, with Lobont's facial injuries forcing him off at the interval. On comes Uruguayan Mauro Goicoechea, who is the club's third choice between the sticks despite his experience.
Fiorentina start the second period brightly as Pasqual advances once more to send a cross into the danger zone. Unfortunately Aquilani is unable to make contact at the near post, with Goicoechea's first action to claim a routine catch.
Totti leads a swift Roma counter as he picks out Osvaldo with a looping diagonal pass. The striker chests down to find Lamela just outside the penalty area, but his hesitation allows La Viola to regroup as Gonzalo clears with an important block tackle.
Roma continue their direct approach on the counter, but Balzaretti's final ball towards the back post is a disappointment and trickles wide for goal kick. Totti has dropped deeper into a central area to link play for the visitors and wins a free kick as Gonzalo holds the veteran's shirt.
Valero wins a corner kick which the home side work short, with Gonzalo eventually heading Pasqual's curling cross wide from close range. That was a half-chance for Fiorentina as the second half starts at a frenetic pace.
SHOT! Ljajic creates some space in the penalty area thanks to a clever overlap from Valero. The forward has time to measure a shot at goal but snatches at a curling strike that flies well over the far corner. That has to go down as a wasted opportunity for a player of his quality.
SAVE! Cuadrado shows strength to hold off two challenges, but then decides to give De Rossi a shoulder barge back and ends up conceding a needless free kick. Fiorentina quickly get back on the offensive as Ljajic forces a strong low save from Goicoechea.
BLOCK! Cuadrado picks out an intelligent late run into the penalty area from Aquilani. The midfielder is quickly closed down by a combination of Goicoechea and De Rossi and his stab towards goal is blocked behind for a corner kick. The home side have certainly started the second half with urgency and desire but are still searching for the opening goal.
YELLOW CARD! De Rossi finally picks up the game's first booking for a late lunge on Pizarro as the former Roma man undoes his ex-teammate with quick feet just outside the penalty area. Cuadrado takes the resulting free kick and aims a strong low shot just beyond the far post.
SUBSTITUTION: Roma decide to make their second change as Pjanic replaces the ineffectual Lamela. Meanwhile Balzaretti joins De Rossi in the referee's notebook after raising his arm in a challenge out side. He will now be suspended for next week's match against Chievo after earning his fifth yellow card of the season.
SUBSTITUTION: The cards are now coming thick and fast in Florence as Tomovic is cautioned for bringing down Totti out wide. He will also serve a suspension next week as that booking brings up a ban. Three yellow cards in just over five minutes in a game on the edge between fourth and fifth, with the match still deadlocked.
Tomovic loses control out wide just as he looks to have beaten Balzaretti on an overlap towards the byline. One goal at either end should prove decisive in the closing stages, with Fiorentina the side in more urgent need of three points to keep pace with AC Milan.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Fiorentina make a double change with Montella's final throw of the dice. Toni is on in place of Jovetic in attack, while Fernandez replaces Aquilani in central midfield. Like-for-like replacements on both counts for La Viola, with fresh legs needed to unlock an unusually stubborn Roma rearguard.
SUBSTITUTION: Goicoechea clearly tips a low effort from Valero past the post, but the referee disagrees as Fiorentina are not awarded a merited corner kick. Meanwhile Roma have made a relatively defensive change, with Brazilian central defender Marquinhos replacing midfielder Florenzi in the closing stages.
Totti plays Balzaretti down the line with a clever backheel to launch a counter for the visitors. His cross into the penalty area is eventually brought down by Osvaldo, but under pressure from two defender's his volley is blocked clear of danger.
Fiorentina have a strong penalty appeal turned down as De Rossi appears to handle in the area to block a cross. Despite fierce protests from surrounding Viola players the referee is unmoved and refuses claims for a spot kick.
YELLOW CARD! Toni is booked for a frankly blatant challenge on De Rossi, tugging the midfielder's shirt to stop him striding forward. Roma use the free kick to find Osvaldo at the far post, with the forward firing wide despite Totti's desperate pleas for a cutback on the edge of the penalty area.
SUBSTITUTION: Fiorentina make their final change as Tomovic is replaced by Romulo. The home side win successive corners as Castan turns behind, but a cross in-behind Toni gives the veteran forward little chance of scoring as he heads wide from an acute angle.
Cuadrado leads a counter with pace and purpose, but is cynically brought down by Castan around 30 yards from goal as he attempts to cut inside. Fiorentina send plenty of options forward for the set piece, with any chance of late winner snuffed out as Toni is penalised for holding at the far post.
Toni quickly wins another free kick as Castan once again flies into a silly challenge without winning the ball. Pizarro decides to take on this occasion, switching short for Pasqual who launches a clever cross towards the far post. Toni us up and wins an aerial duel with Goicoechea, but his header is well over the crossbar from close range as another half-chance goes begging for the home side.
Montella frustrations continue as Pasqual fails to win a corner kick on the far side. Roma have defended stubbornly and are now close to securing a battling point away from home.
OFF THE POST! Pizarro goes within inches of breaking the deadlock as his blistering drive from 30 yards canons of the post with Goicoechea beaten. At the other end Roma commit men forward on the counter as Osvaldo's chipped pass picks out Pjanic. The midfielder cuts inside but has his curling shot turned behind for a corner kick.
GOAL! Fioretina 0-1 Roma (Osvaldo)
Deep into stoppage time Roma have surely snatched all three points. Osvaldo rose highest to meet a corner kick from Totti and head high into the bottom corner from close range. Right against the run of play the visitors are ahead thanks to a composed finish from their lone striker, who is booked for wild celebrations with a strong travelling support.
FULL-TIME Fiorentina 0-1 Roma
Well there you have it, an extraordinary finish has seen Roma snatch all three points deep into added time. Osvaldo's header has lifted the visitors just three points Fiorentina in fourth place, while Montella's men are now struggling to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
That just about does it for Sports Mole's coverage of an absorbing contest in Serie A. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in tomorrow for complete coverage from all the action in Italy's top flight. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
