[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 28 - 16/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 3 - 1 Genoa
Santana 19 (F), Mutu 30 (F), Pazzini 56 (F), Masiero 82 (G)
Stadio Franchi

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Fiorentina have put themselves in a commanding position for a Champions League spot with this comfortable victory that celebrated the return of Adrian Mutu.

The Viola knew a victory would put them four points clear of Milan in the race for a Champions League spot, but were tired from their midweek penalty shoot-out win over Everton. The big boost was the return of Mutu three weeks after a knee injury. Genoa had UEFA Cup ambitions despite two defeats on the trot.

Both sides were without a single Serie A draw since the weekend of February 10. There were two early crucial saves on Marco Borriello from distance and a close-range effort, then at the other end Alessio Scarpi was equally impressive to deny a spectacular Mutu overhead kick.

It was Fiorentina who broke the deadlock with a wonderful team move. Mutu exchanged passes with Mario Alberto Santana and chipped the final assist over the defence for Santana to spring the offside trap in a very tight decision and strike low past Scarpi.

Alessandro Gamberini went off injured and Sebastien Frey had his palms stung by Giuseppe Sculli.

The Viola doubled their advantage with the returning Mutu. Giampaolo Pazzini held up Riccardo Montolivo's pass for a right-foot rocket from the Romanian.

Fiorentina suffered yet another injury with Santana making way for Ndiaye Papa Waigo, who moved from Genoa in January. Frey was at full stretch to beat away a Julio Cesar Leon volley from eight yards, but after the restart Mutu sparked a counter that Giampaolo Pazzini fired straight at Abdoullay Konko.

Mutu turned Papa Waigo's cross over, then Pazzini wasted another chance by hitting it straight at Scarpi. However, the move continued and this time Pazzini sprung the offside trap, prodding the ball past the 'keeper for a cool finish. It was a psychologically important goal for the Under-21 international, who has been missing some howlers of late.

Genoa got a consolation with Nicolas Masiero's first Serie A goal. The 20-year-old got to the rebound after Frey had parried a Borriello close-range attempt.

Moments later Borriello was booked for simulation, a very harsh decision as Marco Donadel made evident contact with his ankle in the D.

Fiorentina's injury situation deteriorated further late on, as Jorgensen appeared to suffer a thigh strain, so they had to play the final five minutes with 10 men.


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Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini (Jorgensen 24), Gobbi; Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana (Papa Waigo 32), Pazzini, Mutu (Donadel 72)

Genoa: Scarpi; Konko, Lucarelli, Criscito; Rossi, Danilo, Juric (Santos 73), Fabiano (Vanden Borre 55); Sculli (Masiero 55), Borriello, Leon

Ref: Ayroldi

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