With seven games still to go in the 2012/13 Serie A season, ACF Fiorentina have established themselves as a main competitor in the chase for one of the five places league places that offer European football next season. Although some recent results have gone against them, the Viola remain in a strong position in their quest to bring European football back to Florence’s Artemio Franchi Stadium.
Cagliari 2–1 Fiorentina. In a game played behind closed doors at the Is Arenas Stadium (fans were barred because of ongoing safety concerns), the Viola were unlucky. A brace of first-half goals from Cagliari’s Mauricio Pinilla put the game out of Fiorentina’s reach. Although the Viola rallied after the break, and Guillermo Cuadrado’s fine strike after 73 minutes halved the deficit, Cagliari always seemed to have the game under control.
Fiorentina 2–2 AC Milan. Fiorentina snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat in a courageous 10-man fight back. Former Fiorentina player Riccardo Montolivo put Milan ahead with fine finish after 14 minutes. Things got worse for the Viola five minutes before halftime, when Nenad Tomovi was shown a red card in what was a harsh decision on the player. The game seemed out of Fiorentina’s reach when midfielder Flamini doubled Milan’s lead. Two late penalties in the Viola’s favour, however, turned the game on its head and brought the level, as first Adem Ljaji and then David Pizarro scored.
Next up. Fiorentina play Atalanta away on April 13, at 8:45pm, and then Torino at home on April 21 at 3pm.
