Heading into their matchup against Genoa, Fiorentina had done something no one thought was possible. They had gone five league matches in a row without conceding a goal. It’s hard to believe considering star defender Gonzalo Rodriguez is out injured and goalkeeper Neto has been shaky to say the least.
Nonetheless, the back line has needed to be solid. Top scorer Giuseppe Rossi missed his third consecutive game due to the knee injury he suffered against Livorno. The false nine experiment with Josip Ilicic versus Torino failed miserably, that resulted in a 0-0 draw. Following Alessandro Matri’s loan move, he scored a brace against Catania, leading the Viola to a 3-0 victory.
Once again, Matri was in the starting XI. Coach Vincenzo Montella needed a win desperately. With Inter dropping points against Fiorentina’s opponent last week and Verona falling to Roma, it was the perfect opportunity for the hosts to move closer to the top three.
A win would bring the Tuscans within a point of third place Napoli and 10 above the fifth placed Nerazzurri. As for Genoa, they entered the Artemio Franchi with 26 points, six behind a Europa League spot. The Grifone have spent the last couple of seasons battling relegation, now they’re in the thick of the race for a European spot.
Since manager Gian Piero Gasperini was rehired, Genoa have won six games, drew five, and lost four. The defeats came at the hands of Juventus, Roma, Cagliari (played with 10 men), and Bologna. To say that Gasperini reinvigorated his team is an understatement.
The match started off with Fiorentina in control. Despite not having Rodriguez, Rossi, Borja Valero and Mario Gomez, the home side were coping just fine without them. Juan Cuadrado and Manuel Pasqual came close to opening the scoring, but were wasteful with their final efforts.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Luca Antonelli was able to lure Neto out of his goal to close down the angle. It appeared as if the Brazilian clipped Antonelli, prompting the referee to call a penalty for the visitors. After looking at the replays, it was clear that the winger made a meal of the “challenge” and that the hosts were unlucky to have had that go against them.
Former Viola forward Alberto Gilardino calmly converted the spot kick to make it 1-0 for Genoa. The Grifone weren’t messing around, Fiorentina were in for a rough night.
Just six minutes later, the Viola caught a break. Massimo Ambrosini was hauled down as he tried to get his head to a cross. Sebastien De Maio was the culprit, he ended up getting booked for his challenge. Alberto Aquilani scored from 12 yards out to tie up the match.
The drama continued in the closing moments of the first half. Right after the kick off, Antonini received a pass from Francesco Matuzalem and finished in the bottom left corner. Just like that, it was 2-1. That, too, was short lived. Aquilani pounced on the ball after it rattled around a bunch of bodies in the box, and powered it past Mattia Perin.
As the second interval began, it was Fiorentina who attained their first lead of the game and guess who? Aquilani. He got on the end of Joaquin’s through ball and finished calmly in the bottom corner.
That prompted Gasperini to make some substitutions. One of them, Adrian Stoian, was inches away from tying the match with a shot from distance as his chance went over the bar.
Finally, the Grifone found that late goal. Off a corner, Antonini headed the ball towards the middle of the penalty area, which was met by De Maio, who also got his head to it and snuck it past Neto to tie the game 3-3. Suddenly the penalty the defender conceded was a distant memory.
That is how the match ended as Genoa fought heroically to earn a point, while Fiorentina missed an opportunity to move closer to the Partenopei.
Other results: Sampdoria 1-1 Bologna; Torino 1-0 Atalanta
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…
In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…
Are you new to the world of football betting and would you like to take…
If you are into sports betting, staying ahead of the game is crucial. One way…
I have prepared some interesting and fun football facts for you, perfect for those who love the thrill of discovery almost as much as the excitement found at https://www.staycasino.com/. Like the unpredictable nature of casino games, these facts will surprise and intrigue you with unexpected twists and turns in the world of football. Here is the complete list of 40 interesting and fun facts about football. What are the most interesting facts about football? Football was invented in Italy, Messi is the highest-paid athlete, and the fastest a player has been sent off is 0 seconds! Stay ahead with these facts and impress with your knowledge. This collection contains many football facts that will surprise you. Tell your friends new facts they don't know. Interesting Facts About Football Every football fan should know these facts. You can also surprise your children with what they don't know! When was football invented? Modern football originated from the Florentine game of Calcio Fiorentino, played in the 14th …