Roma managed to edge Fiorentina with a 2-1 win in Serie A action at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon.
Maicon put the Giallorossi ahead after just seven minutes but the Viola battled back and were level before half time through a Juan Vargas strike, before a fit-again Mattia Destro scored to seal the victory for the Giallorossi.
The first real chance of the game came in the 3rd minute when Vargas’s powerful left-footed shot outside the box was saved by Morgan De Sanctis, while Roma’s first threatening attack came through Kevin Strootman ‘s long shot from 35 yards out which was comfortably saved by Neto.
Roma’s wide players showed great ability to exploit the flanks and one of their fluent connection gave them the lead. Maicon opened his goal account for the Giallorossi when he scored a poacher’s goal in the six yard box after receiving a cross from Gervinho on the left side.
Gervinho’s incisive dribbling on the left flank caused much problem on the Viola’s right side. The Ivory Coast winger cut through to the box in 11th minute and passed the ball to Alessandro Florenzi, whose shot was saved by Neto.
Daniele De Rossi found himself unmarked after the subsequent corner was sent to the box but the 30-year-old’s close-range header was fantastically saved by on-form Neto.
Fiorentina failed to pile enough pressure in the first 15 minutes and they struggled to resist Roma’s attack.
Giuseppe Rossi had a chance inside the box in the 21st minute but his right-footed shot was blocked.
The Viola equalized on 29 minutes with Vargas’ belting strike. Nenad Tomovic cut into the right side of the box and provided a low cross to Vargas on the edge of the box, who smashed the ball to the top corner of De Sanctis’ goal.
The game’s tempo slowed down after Fiorentina equalized, as the two teams both became more cautious. Juan Cuadrado tried to cause some problem for De Sanctis by shooting from long range but the Colombian’s effort was in vain.
Fiorentina had the first chance in the second half when Rossi’s header was a little over the bar. The Viola captain Manuel Pasqual managed to send a low cross from the left side but both Rossi and Alberto Aquilani both failed to touch the ball.
Neto showed great reflexs as the Brazilian keeper made two consecutive saves against Ljajic and Gervinho in the 57th minute.
Roma continued to pile on pressure as Gervinho created a chance for Strootman on 61 minutes, but his right-footed shot from a tight angle was saved by Neto again. Maicon’s pass found Mattia Destro one minute later and the fit-again Italian striker’s powerful shot unfortunately hit the right-side of the post.
Roma retook the lead when Mattia Destro netted inside the six yard box from Gervinho’s cross, his first goal of the season after only recently returning to fitness.
The Viola pushed higher after falling behind again and they took much of the possession in the last 15 minutes.
Miralem Pjanic was sent off in 88th minute as the Bosnian midfielder fouled David Pizarro. The Bosnian’s sending off forced Roma coach Rudi Garcia to substitute Destro with Michael Bradley.
Fiorentina continued to exert pressure in the last 10 minutes but the Giallorossi managed to hold on and got their first win in five matches, which also means they extend their unbeaten streak to 15 games.
