Cagliari Calcio vs Fiorentina - Review and Highlights

CAGLIARI, November 16 ( Serie A )

AC Fiorentina were left to rue a number of wasted chances as they went down 1-0 to Cagliari Calcio today.

Cagliari produced a solid defensive display to hold onto a first-half lead taken after Robert Acquafresca found the net from the penalty spot.

Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri handed an unexpected start to Andrea Lazzari ahead of Andrea Cossu with the idea of keeping Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo in check.

Fiorentina got off to a good start with Riccardo Montolivo coming close to putting the Gigliati ahead in the ninth minute, the midfielder's shot from the edge of the area whistling just over the bar.

At the other end Viola goalkeeper Sebastian Frey was called into action and showed good reflexes to keep out a close-range shot from Cagliari striker Jeda.

Fiorentina youngster Stevan Jovetic, deputising for the injured Adrian Mutu, fired a volley just wide from the right side of the penalty area in the 16th minute.

Ten minutes later the lively Montolivo worked his way into space before unleashing a shot which goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was forced to get down low to block.

Alberto Gilardino pounced on the rebound inside the area but was flagged offside.

Gilardino then headed an excellent Juan Vargas cross from the left over the bar from the edge of the area.

However, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 31st minute after Viola defender Alessandro Gamberini conceded a penalty as he looked to keep Acquafresca in check.

Acquafresca stepped up to take the penalty and coolly scored his fifth goal of the campaign.

The visitors came close to equalising just two minutes later as Jovetic forced a good diving save from Marchetti with a left-footed shot.

Just before the break Viola defender Per Kroldrup should have done better as he headed a Vargas free-kick wide when unmarked at the far post.

Both coaches made changes at the break as Allegri introduced Cossu for Lazzari whilst Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli brought on striker Giampaolo Pazzini for Jovetic.

Five minutes after the restart and Montolivo again threatened as he thumped an effort from long range, but Marchetti was equal to it.

Fiorentina's Zdravko Kuzmanovic was carried off in the 53rd minute after taken a powerful shot full in the face. Sergio Almiron was brought on as his replacement.

On the hour mark Gilardino headed a lovely ball from Almiron on goal but Marchetti was again alert between the posts.

The Gigliati continued to press for an equaliser but struggled to break down a disciplined home defence.

In the closing stages Gilardino volleyed an excellent Luciano Zauri cross over the bar on the turn before Almiron fired wide with a shot from outside the area as the Isolani held on to take all three points and move five points clear of the drop zone.

Cagliari Calcio vs AC Fiorentina - 1 : 0

1:0 - 31' Robert Acquafresca