Udinese” data-scaytid=”5″>Udinese had numerous chances, but Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”6″>Fiorentina got the goal with Borja Valero to conquer the Friuli and set up a Coppa Italia Quarter-Final clash with Roma.
Udinese had numerous chances, but Fiorentina got the goal with Borja Valero to conquer the Friuli and set up a Coppa Italia Quarter-Final clash with Roma.
This was the only real chance of silverware for both clubs, as the Friulani were knocked out of both the Champions League and Europa League at the first hurdle.
David Pizarro had been in the starting XI against his former club, but pulled out during the warm-up, replaced by Alberto Aquilani. Adem Ljajic returned after a three-week lay-off and his long-range strike was smothered early on.
Andrea Lazzari and Giampiero Pinzi’s follow-up were charged down in the box, and as the chaos continued Mati Fernandez bravely threw himself into the path of Diego Fabbrini. Fernandez was left bleeding heavily from his nose and mouth due to that challenge, but was able to continue after treatment.
Antonio Di Natale was a constant danger and drilled inches wide of the upright, but Fiorentina took the lead with their first real chance and a stroke of luck. Borja Valero pounced on a Dusan Basta error in the box and his shot took a deflection to loop into the far top corner past a helpless goalkeeper.
Gabriele Angella’s acrobatic overhead kick was off target and Udinese came out fighting for the second half with Di Natale’s first time strike hitting the side-netting. Basta’s spectacular effort forced Neto to palm it out from under the bar.
However, Manuel Pasqual curled a free kick on to the crossbar for Fiorentina in a rare scoring opportunity.
Neto did brilliantly to fingertip a Di Natale header on to the base of the upright. Udinese-owned Juan Cuadrado went on the counter-attack, but Gabriel Silva tackled him cleanly as he was pulling the trigger.
The Viola goalkeeper stood tall to control a Di Natale shot on the turn, as Fiorentina held firm under siege and went through despite a 10-0 scoreline in terms of corners.
Udinese 0-1 Fiorentina
Scorers: Borja Valero 36 (F)
Udinese: Padelli; Heurtaux, Danilo, Angella; Basta (Maicosuel 84), Pinzi (Muriel 55), Allan, Lazzari (Pereyra 68), Gabriel Silva; Fabbrini; Di Natale
Fiorentina: Neto; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Tomovic; Cuadrado (Romulo 79), Mati Fernandez, Aquilani (Migliaccio 72), Borja Valero, Pasqual; Seferovic, Ljajic (Jovetic 60)
Ref: Calvarese