Roma defeated Fiorentina 1-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday night in Serie A.
Radja Nainggolan proved to be the match winner for the Romans, as he scored the only goal of this tightly contested fixture, and as a result confirms the Giallorossi in second place, thus automatic Champions League qualification.
Captain Francesco Totti blasted a free kick wide from 30 yards out within the first minute and seconds later Serbian Adam Llajic had a glorious chance which he hit straight at Fiorentina goalkeeper Murara Neto.
At the other end, Alberto Aquilani was the first to test Morgan De Sanctis with a long range effort. Followed by that, Juan Cuadrado shot just wide of the post on seven minutes, after swiftly cutting past centre back Rafael Toloi.
Just moments later, Gervinho missed what was to be the best chance of the game after Llajic fed him for a simple tap-in. Josip Ilicic then shot wayward as Borja Valero could not take advantage of a poor clearance by De Sanctis, hitting straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Despite continued pressure from the La Viola, the deadlock was broken by the Giallorossi in the 25th minute when Llajic played an intelligent defence splitting pass that was slotted in by the outstretched leg of midfielder Nainggolan.
Fiorentina then won a free kick for Daniele De Rossi’s foul on Cuadrado outside the box, which Ilicic curled just over the post. As halftime approached, the home team appealed fervently for a handball by Francesco Totti although the referee refused to award anything.
The second half began and immediately former Fiorentina man Ljajic unleashed a lethal shot, that was met by an equally good save by Neto.
Roma had nevertheless decided to sit back and play on the counter while the La Viola pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Cuadrado and Valero then displayed their profligacy in front of goal with some wayward strikes that hardly troubled the Giallorossi goalkeeper.
Around the hour mark, it was former Roma player David Pizarro’s turn to shoot, but his effort sailed over the bar as well. After that, Fiorentina’s stopper had to prevent the visitors from extending their lead, pulling off saves from Totti and Brazilian left-back Dodo.
It wasn’t till the 70th minute the La Viola had their first real sight on goal when Ilicic drilled in a low cross from a free kick that was met by an unmarked Stefan Savic who could not make sufficient contact with the ball.
Montella appeared desperate for an opening but Roma stood strong defensively. However, in the 88th minute Savic decided to aim for goal from nearly 35 yards out but De Sanctis tipped the ball over comfortably.
As the game approached to a close, Fiorentina had yet another handball appeal inside the box turned down, meaning the Giallorossi emerged victorious at the end of a hard fought battle in Florence.
