Roma arrived at the Stadio Artemio Franchi to take on Fiorentina with both sides in need of a win. It was a match that had the makings of a tasty encounter, and with the beautiful backdrop of Florence, the prospect couldn’t be passed up.
The Giallorossi fans travelled the 168 miles north in hope rather than expectation following an indifferent start to their Serie A campaign, and it added to the tense pre-match atmosphere that was shared by both sets of supporters outside the stadium. Once inside however, the volume turned up to 11; the crowd were so loud that, at times, they drowned out the announcers. The pre-match display did not disappoint either, with a procession of classically garbed Italians preceding the teams, leaving no doubt about what part of the world the match was taking place in.
The forecasted rain held off and the match got under way with the hosts taking the early impetus. The Viola eventually took the lead towards the end of the first half in somewhat controversial circumstances, with the referee awarding a penalty that many felt would have been overturned had he consulted with the VAR. But the home fans weren’t complaining as Veretout slotted home from 12 yards.
In the second half Roma applied more and more pressure, and despite an improved performance from Fiorentina, a late strike from Florenzi was enough to earn the visiting team a point. The result doesn’t really suit either side and both sets of supporters left somewhat subdued, under their own murmurs of dissatisfaction.
Photography by Giacomo Cosua for SoccerBible.
