That is what many who saw Fiorentina’s 0-0 away draw against Sampdoria last Sunday said once referee Carmine Russo brought an end to proceedings.
Often the result of a match can reveal much about how an encounter plays out, with high goal tally’s often suggesting more entertainment and more enjoyment and low scoring affairs suggesting a tight and cagey affair.
Last Sunday’s match went against those notions by providing viewers with a ringing endorsement for what the Serie A has to offer despite sending neither side home with three points.
The Viola and Blucerchiati battled to a hard fought, entertaining and eventful draw that left both teams with their season ambitions intact as we head into the final stretch of the season.
The draw was made that much better of a result on Monday evening when Livorno fought back from two goals down (thanks in large part to Fredy Guarin) to land a 2-2 draw with Inter and keep the Nerazzurri three points behind the Gigliati for fourth place.
The result, and the Viola’s performance against Samp on Sunday, was welcome relief for Vincenzo Montella and his men as they have battled the injury bug and a roller coaster of form in recent times.
A stellar performance against Sampdoria could land Juan Manuel Vargas a starting spot against Udinese on Sunday.
One player who’s form did not waver last Sunday was Juan Manuel Vargas as the Peruvian provided the team with a welcome spark after his inclusion in the 59th minute.
The former Catania man came closest to opening the scoring in the 78th minute when a patented left footed drive completed its trajectory by stamping off the crossbar when it looked all but certain that it would open up scoring.
The execution alone was deserving of a better result but on a day when both sides put their best foot forward, it’s tough to dwell on what might have been given the great entertainment the match provided.
At the other end of the spectrum we have Alessandro Matri who despite being on the pitch for the entirety of the match, found time to once again leave Viola fans with their hands in their hair out of sheer desperation.
When the Italian was picked out by Borja Valero deep into stoppage time via a free kick, it seemed as though the only outcome would be for the former AC Milan striker to find the back of the net and snatch the Viola a late victory.
Instead, as we’ve seen all too often in recent weeks, Matri failed to fully connect with the ball and sent his effort wide of goal and out of harm’s way.
After a great start to his Fiorentina career Alessandro Matri’s Viola career has sputtered along, though it’s never too late for things to turn around.
Again. For the umpteenth time in recent weeks.
Now while there is a growing sense of discontent amongst fans of the club regarding the strikers performance, with I being one of them, the only thing that should be sent his way is waves of support as a return to goalscoring form would be ideal for both parties given the absence of Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi.
One can only hope that things will change starting this Sunday as Fiorentina prepare to play host to Udinese, who will be without talisman Antonio Di Natale after the veteran injured his knee during mid-week action.
While his absence is a huge loss, Fiorentina can’t go into the match thinking they already have the upper hand before the first kick of the ball as nothing is ever certain when it comes to the Viola’s fortunes this season.
With Inter set to take on Bologna on Saturday the Viola will head into the encounter knowing the Nerazzurri’s result before hand, likely meaning they will have all the incentive they need to hopefully slay the Zebrette at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday and keep a firm grip on fourth in the standings.
Follow Adriano Boin on Twitter: @Boin44
