Fiorentina vs. Lazio

Both these sides were flying high after spectacular midweek wins on the continent, as the Viola beat Liverpool 2-0 with Stevan Jovetic's brace and the Biancocelesti pummelled Levski Sofia 4-0 in Bulgaria. However, Lazio came here without the injured Julio Cruz, Cristian Brocchi, Lionel Scaloni, Sebastiano Siviglia, Fabio Firmani, Mobido Diakhite and suspended Aleksandr Kolarov. Fiorentina also missed captain Dario Dainelli due to a ban, while Alberto Gilardino was on the bench following flu symptoms.

Pasquale Foggia's finish was too weak in the opening 120 seconds when he was sent clear on goal, while Tommaso Rocchi's fresh-air shot from seven yards wasted another promising opportunity.

Adrian Mutu's goal was correctly ruled offside, but from a corner Mutu's header was squirming in before Roberto Baronio's goalline clearance at the back post.

Mauro Zarate and Rocchi had two dangerous snapshots charged down by defensive bodies, while Stevan Jovetic tested Nando Muslera.

Just before half-time Muslera ran a huge risk by flapping meekly at a corner, but he was fortunate that Riccardo Montolivo slipped during the follow-up and that was charged down.

Montolivo wasted another great chance in stoppages. Marco Marchionni's cross-shot was beaten away at the near post and the creative midfielder ballooned over from nine yards.

Radu needed a crucial intervention to stop Jovetic turning in a Juan Manuel Vargas cross, then Montolivo and Francelino Matuzalem had shots smothered by the goalkeepers.

Rocchi spun round in the box to test Frey at the near post, while Jovetic nodded a Mutu cross off target from point-blank range.

On 70 minutes Foggia missed an absolute sitter. A lucky ricochet cleared him from the penalty spot, but incredibly the ex-Cagliari man ballooned over the bar.

Foggia did considerably better soon after when he curled a magnificent effort from 20 metres that forced a flying save out of Frey.

At the other end Fiorentina wasted a golden opportunity, as Baronio's error sparked a counter that Marchionni slashed well wide.

There was controversy on 78 minutes, as Gilardino thought he had scored and may well be right. He waltzed round the goalkeeper and prodded the ball with the outside of his foot, but Radu's clearance appeared to be after it had already crossed the line.

Fiorentina were dominating the final stages of the game as crosses rained in from Montolivo and Vargas.