Serie A, Round 8: Fiorentina complete fantastic comeback win against Juventus

Roma go five points clear at the top of the table. Verona are in the running for a place in Europe. Fiorentina canceled out a two goal lead to beat Juventus 4-2. Sassuolo won. Antonio Floro Flores scored. Ten-man Inter managed a 3-3 draw against Torino. All in all, a weekend of surprises in Serie A. Except that Roma-being-top thing. That came as a surprise to no one but Roma fans.

Full match report here

Torino continued to pressure and this looked to have told as in the fifth minute, Alexander Farnerud’s teasing low cross found Cerci in the box. Handanovic had also committed to coming for the ball but Cerci just beat him to it and the goalkeeper’s momentum sent the Italian flying, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot and producing a straight red card for the Slovenian. Juan-Pablo Carrizo replaced Mateo Kovacic for Inter and his first touch was to save Cerci’s well-struck penalty to keep the scores level.

In the 21st minute however, the man advantage told and Torino went ahead, Alexander Farnerud powerfully driving past Carrizo after Cerci’s clever flick had found him beyond the sleeping Inter defence.

It was an emotional day in Verona, after the death of vice-president Giovanni Martinelli on Tuesday. The home side wore black armbands and there was a minute’s applause before the start of the game.

It took just nine minutes for the hosts to open the scoring from a corner. Felipe lost his marker, allowing Cacciatore to run in and volley the ball into the net. It was the right back’s third strike of the season.

The first half was a chaotic, high-tempo affair, with both sides struggling for composure and patience in the raucous atmosphere of the Artemio Franchi. It took almost 20 minutes for someone to muster a shot on target, though Carlos Tévez’s low effort from the edge of the area was easily smothered by Neto.

Marchisio should’ve added a third soon after the restart, though a brave stop from Neto just about kept the game alive. Juve were in total control, and Asamoah too squandered a good chance after squirming into the box, shooting straight at the Brazilian keeper.

This game was, let’s be honest, extremely boring until 35th minute. Lazio held the ball, supposedly trying to score, but doing nothing really except shooting (badly) from distance. Atalanta sat back and used counter attacks to threaten Lazio, but in those few times they did manage to break, the biancocelesti caught them with an offside trap.

That win is Atalanta’s third in a row and their fourth at home this season, and they now sit higher than both Lazio and Milan in the table. The losers, however, are caught in a downward spiral. One point from four away matches, 13 points behind rivals Roma and 8 behind the Champions League spots. Most importantly, Lazio just aren’t playing well. Vladimir Petkovic must find a way to turn things around, or he might find himself being shown the exit.

Udinese should’ve been able to take advantage of a depleted Milan side. The rossoneri played host without Nigel De Jong and Philippe Mexes, both suspended, and Mario Balotelli, who found himself added to the club’s long injury list just after his own return from suspension. Then came the news that Christian Abbiati was out, so 21 year old Gabriel got his Serie A debut in goal. But could the zebrette make anything of their advantage? Of course not.

It wasn’t even a late in game, questionable penalty decision that saw all three points go Milan’s way. Instead it was a goal from Valter Birsa who, in his last start against Sampdoria, also scored the game’s only goal. The rossoneri hit on the counter, with Birsa latching on to a ball from Robinho. The Slovene’s shot came from outside the area, curling into the top right corner.

Torino injuries and suspensions

Inter injuries and suspensions

The Bosnian midfielder struck a free kick on the stroke of half time, then netted a second half penalty after Cannavaro was given a second booking. The result gives Roma a five point cushion over Rafa Benitez’s side.

Two minutes before the break, Gervinho went down under Raul Albiol right in front of the referee. The Ivorian’s tumble wasn’t convincing and play was ordered to continue. Strootman sent a stinging shot over the bar as the home side continued to press.

Milan supporters will be quick to tell you that their club got off to a poor start last season, too, yet ultimately made it to the Champions League. And they’re correct: by round 7 last season, Milan had just seven points and were in 11th. But the competition is much stiffer this season. And if they don’t have a Mario to save them, how will the rossoneri dig themselves out of this deep hole?

Well, stranger things have happened.

Table topping Roma will be hoping for eight wins in eight games, while high flying Napoli need a result to stay in touch with the runaway league leaders.

Both teams have won this fixture in recent meetings. Roma ran out 2-1 winners when the teams last met at the Olimpico in May.