Fiorentina were looking to enhance their chances of a top-three finish in Serie A when they hosted Livorno on Sunday.
Vincenzo Montella's side headed into the contest fourth in the league table with 33 points from 17 matches, three points behind third-place Napoli.
Meanwhile, visitors Livorno were second from bottom in the standings with 13 points, two points from safety.
It was supposed to be a straightforward victory for the hosts, but in the end a Gonzalo Rodriguez goal in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.
Read how all the action unfolded with our live minute-by-minute commentary below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole’s live coverage of the Serie A clash between Fiorentina and Livorno in Florence. It promises to be an exciting game of football and you can follow all the action live as it unfolds on this page.
Hosts Fiorentina will head into the contest fourth in the league table with 33 points from 17 matches, three points behind third-place Napoli. Vincenzo Montella’s side have been one of the teams to watch in Italian football this season and will be firm favourites to win this evening.
Meanwhile, visitors Livorno are second from bottom with just 13 points from 17 matches, having won just once away from home in Serie A all season.
The teamsheet has been released and I will type in the names shortly. But I can tell you now for certain that both Giuseppe Rossi and Juan Cuadrado will start for the Viola.
FIORENTINA XI: Neto; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Savic; Cuadrado, Pizarro, Aquilani, Borja Valero, Vargas; Ilicic, Rossi
Subs: Munua, Tomovic, Compper, Ambrosini, Pasqual, Iakovenko, Vecino, Joaquin, Matias Fernandez, Matos, Wolski, Rebic
LIVORNO XI: Bardi; Ceccherini, Rinaudo, Valentini; Schiattarella, Benassi, Luci, Biagianti, Greco, Mbaye; Paulinho
Subs: Ananaia, Aldegani, Gemiti, Decarli, Duncan, Piccini, Borja, Mosquera, Emeghara, Belingheri, Siligardi
So Giuseppe Rossi and Josip Ilicic start for Fiorentina, who have scored 33 goals in 17 matches. The former is actually the leading scorer in Serie A so far this season with 14 strikes and will be relishing the chance of adding to his tally.
Juan Manuel Vargas, Juan Cuadrado, Borja Valero, Claudio Pizarro and Alberto Aquilani all start in midfield for the Florence outfit.
Meanwhile, Paulinho starts for visitors Livorno in attack, while Leandro Rinaudo steps into defence as Emerson is suspended and Andrea Coda is injured.
Fiorentina will be the firm favourites this evening and it would be quite an upset if Livorno were to win in Florence. The visitors have not won any of their last eight Serie A encounters and have lost their last six matches on the road.
Meanwhile, Montella’s home team are on a three-match winning run and will be confident of kicking off the New Year with a victory in front of their own supporters.
However, the Fiorentina tactician believes that his side should still try to improve and continue their challenge for a top-three finish in Serie A with style. This is what he had to say before the game: "I feel we have more room for growth despite the excellent level we have already achieved. My goal is to be a match for anyone. I would like to let in fewer goals and win matches more smoothly, but we have got a lot to work with. We are still incomplete and there is room for growth."
Kickoff is just around five minutes away at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence. It does promise to be a very entertaining match so stay tuned on this page to catch all the action live as it unfolds.
The players are getting ready to come out onto the pitch and prepare themselves for the pre-match formalities after which the second Serie A game of 2014 will get underway.
KICKOFF The match gets underway now as Fiorentina look to kick off 2014 with a win.
As expected, the Viola have made the better start and are pressing the game into the Livorno half of the pitch.
Fiorentina put their visitors under pressure as Josip Ilicic and Giuseppe Rossi combine with each other, but Livorno are able to clear the danger before it unravels into something concrete.
Juan Manuel Vargas is released down the left flank but the winger tries to have the ball for too long and is eventually forced to get it out of play.
Livorno earn the first corner of the contest but they are unable to do anything meaningful with it. Set pieces might just be their only hope of getting something from this match.
Free kick to Fiorentina now near the far right touchline as Juan Cuadrado is brought down Pasquale Schiattarella. Borja Valeron floats in the free kick, but it is cleared away by the Livorno defence.
The contest has yet to fully burst into life, I have to admit. Fiorentina are the team who are pressing for the opening goal and are showing the initiative, while Livorno appear content to play on the counter. Giuseppe Rossi has yet to really get into the game.
Fiorentina are hogging possession at the moment and are playing the ball around. However, they are lacking the final killer pass and that must be becoming annoying for coach Vincenzo Montella on the touchlines.
Livorno defence are under pressure for a moment after Rossi is sent through, but they clear away the danger after surrounding the Italian striker and dispossessing him with relative ease.
It has gone a lot quiet now as Fiorentina are struggling to really impose themselves on the match and are just passing the ball around in midfield. It is starting to become scrappy in Florence.
Livorno are showing some signs of attacking intent as they earn another corner. Leandro Rinaudo does try to turn the set piece on goal, but it goes wide. The referee had blown the whistle, though, for his foul on Stefan Savic.
YELLOW CARD Josip Ilicic becomes the first player to be shown the yellow card for a tactical foul on Marco Benassi.
Fiorentina get a half-chance after as a ball is played towards Cuadrado inside the Livorno box, but the attacker fails to get to the end of it. No clear-cut opportunity for either side yet so far.
Facundo Roncaglia tries to take matters into his own hands and goes for a shot from long range, but misses the target completely. The home side are still setting into the contest and are lacking the cutting edge up front.
No sign from either team that the stalemate will be broken anytime soon. Fiorentina are playing the patient game, but their visitors are displaying very good tactical nous and doggedness in defence and are keeping the likes of Rossi and Ilicic at bay.
CHANCE! First shot on target and it is from Rossi. The Italian striker collects the ball with his back to goal, turns around his marker and then shoots from outside the Livorno box, but it is too easy a save for Francesco Bardi.
Now Cuadrado tries his luck from outside the Livorno box but fails to test Bardi in any way whatsoever.
CHANCE! The best chance of the match falls to Rossi, but the Italian striker fails to get his shot even on target. Rossi and Valero combine on the left side of the Livorno box and then the former shoots on goal, but his effort hits the side-netting.
Fiorentina earn a corner now. Josip Ilicic takes it but the it is turned wide of the target by Roncaglia.
YELLOW CARD Another Fiorentina player goes into the referee’s books and it is a certain Alberto Aquilani, who is penalised for his challenge on Biagianti.
Fiorentina have stepped up a gear now and are looking very positive in spirits. The Viola have been in control of proceedings the entire half, but with less than 10 minutes left for half time, they are showing urgency to take a lead.
Livorno go on the attack now as Paulinho and Andrea Luci combine, but the latter’s final cross is headed clear with relative ease by the hosts.
Another attack for Fiorentina, but once again it does not come to any fruition. A cross is floated in from the right but no-one can reach to it. Vargas keeps it in play on the left flank from where he whips in a delivery, which is then cleared by the away side.
YELLOW CARD The referee is dishing out the yellows again, this time it is to Livorno’s Argentine defender Nahuel Valentini.
Two minutes to half time and Fiorentina are increasing the pressure on Livorno. Will we have a goal in the final stages of the first half?
CHANCE! Borja Valero floats in a brilliant and very inviting cross from the left that Ilicic tries to head on goal, but misses the target. It appeared to come off his shoulder actually, but the referee gives a corner to the home side which they fail to capitalise on.
YELLOW CARD Another Livorno player goes into the referee’s book. Paulo Sergio Betanin is cautioned for carrying on play after the whistle has been blown.
One minute of injury time has been added.
HALF TIME: Fiorentina 0-0 Livorno
It’s half time at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence where Fiorentina and Livorno have played out a goalless first half. The hosts were in control throughout the first 45 minutes, but have failed to break the deadlock.
Fiorentina took some time to get going at home, but they stepped up their game in the final 10 minutes of the first half. However, the Viola will have to play much better in the second 45 minutes to get a win this evening.
Let’s take a quick look at the half-time stats. Fiorentina had 68% of the possession, seven shots out of which only one was on target and two corner kicks.
Meanwhile, visitors Livorno were defensive for much of the second half and had the ball for just 32% of the time. Neither of their two shots was on target, but they did earn two corner kicks.
The second half will kick off in a matter of minutes and Fiorentina will be eager to score an early goal to ease the pressure on themselves. They have controlled possession, but they are lacking the final killer pass.
The players are getting out onto the pitch now as the second half is about to begin.
The two sets of players are finally out on the pitch and we should get things underway in a minute or two.
KICKOFF The second half is finally underway and it is Livorno who start proceedings. It is 0-0 from the first half.
CHANCE! Livorno seem to be rejuvenated in the second half and gets a shot away through Marco Benassi , but his effort from outside the box goes just wide.
CHANCE! Fiorentina hit back through Cuadrado, who fires on target from the edge of the box, but Bardi makes a good save and turns the ball out. The Livorno goalkeeper also makes a decent save from the resulting corner, claiming Savic’s header on target.
Another important save from Bardi, a catch rather. Valeron floats in a long free kick from near the left touchline that the Livorno goalkeeper jumps up to collect. Both teams are fired up at the start of the second half and we do have a game on our hands!
YELLOW CARD The cards have started to fly as well. Cuadrado is shown the yellow card for a rather bad challenge on Leandro Greco, but the home supporters jeer the decision from the referee.
Fiorentina try to play intricate passing football just outside the Livorno penalty box capitalising on mistakes made by their opponents, but their plan is eventually foiled and the ball is hoofed out of danger.
Joaquin is warming up on the sidelines at the moment. He could be introduced soon and his pace along the flanks could just about unlock this rather tight Livorno backline.
Cuadrado is down injured at the moment following a challenge from a Livorno player and the medics are on the pitch. However, the attacker should be fine to resume play shortly.
Fiorentina are preparing to make a change now. Joaquin is getting instructions from Montella. I think that Ilicic will be the player to make way for the Spanish winger.
SAVE! Save of the match from Livorno goalkeeper Francesco Bardi, who keeps out Vargas from point-blank range. Rossi’s initial shot from distance is saved by Bardi, but the ball falls to Vargas, whose shot on goal is brilliantly turned away.
SUBSTITUTION Josip Ilicic is replaced by Joaquin for Fiorentina. Will this change be crucial for the hosts tonight?
OFF THE BAR! It is so so close for Livorno, who are denied by the woodwork! Leandro Greco swings in a free kick from the left that Ibrahima Mbaye heads on goal, but his effort rattles the crossbar and goes out of play for a Fiorentina goal kick.
CHANCE! Another opportunity squandered by Fiorentina to take the lead as Rossi’s shot on target from close range is turned out for a corner by Mbaye.
GOAL! Fiorentina 1-0 Livorno (Gonzalo Rodriguez)
Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella can now heave a sigh of relief as his side have finally broken the deadlock. Borja Valero swings in the corner and Gonzalo Rodriguez jumps higher than everyone else and nods it home.
YELLOW CARD Tempers are flaring up at the moment as Leandro Rinaudo is cautioned for a nasty challenge on Rossi. He protests against the decision and gets into an exchange of words with Valero and Vargas.
Rossi is visibly in pain and limps off the pitch. He may need to be substituted as he looks downbeat and appears as though that he might not able to continue for the rest of the match. Very, very bad way to start the New Year for a player who has struggled with injury for so long.
SUBSTITUTION And indeed Rossi cannot continue any longer and is taken down the tunnel to be given more medical aid. Matos Santos comes on in the Italian striker’s place.
Free kick to Fiorentina on the edge of the Livorno box as Mbaye brings down Joaquin. Great chance for the home side to make it 2-0.
SAVE! This time Valero goes for goal himself, but Bardi punches his effort away. The ball eventually falls to Joaquin, but the winger is flagged offside.
YELLOW CARD Another Livorno player is shown the yellow card. It is Luci who is cautioned for sliding challenge on Cuadrado, although the midfielder genuinely did not mean any malice.
SAVE! Livorno get two chances in a matter of seconds to make it 1-1, but on both occasions their attempts are thwarted. First Paulinho rounds Neto and takes a shot on target from close range, but Rodriguez blocks it. The ball then falls kindly to a lurking Marco Benassi, who effort is wonderfully saved by Neto.
CHANCE! Now Fiorentina go close as Valero tests Bardi with a well-taken free kick that goes around the wall, but not past the Livorno goalkeeper.
YELLOW CARD Another yellow card of the contest and I have lost count of the number! It is Rodriquez who gets it. Why? For protesting with the assistant referee for not giving a corner.
SUBSTITUTION Fiorentina make their third and final change of the evening. Massimo Ambrosini replaces Borja Valero.
SAVE! Sensational one-handed save from Neto, who turns away a ferocious attempt from Benassi from outside the Fiorentina penalty area. The set piece, though, is wasted by the visitors.
YELLOW CARD Pasquale Schiattarella becomes the ninth player to go into the referee’s book for bring down Joaquin.
Less than five minutes remain in this contest and Livorno still have a chance. If anything, Fiorentina are actually looking rattled at the back. However, they do have a one-goal lead and they will be looking to maintain that at least.
Cuadrado has yet another chance to add his name on the scoresheet and once more he does not take it. He collects the ball on the left flank and is afford time and space to run with it. However, his final curling effort goes wide of the Livorno goal and does not trouble Bardi at all.
SUBSTITUTION Livorno make their second change of the evening as Marco Benassi is replaced by Luca Siligardi. Just five minutes earlier Innocent Emeghara had come on for Federico Ceccherini.
Five minutes of normal time have been added. Five minutes for Fiorentina to hold onto their lead, five minutes for Livorno to find an equaliser.
SUBSTITUTION Livorno make their third and final substitution of the evening as Marco Biagianti comes off for Alfred Duncan.
Fiorentina have a great chance to double their advantage as they have been awarded a free kick from the edge of the Livorno. It is Mbaye once again who concedes it for bringing down Cuadrado.
CHANCE! Brilliant free kick from Juan Cuadrado that goes just wide of the target.
CHANCE! Another chance for Cuadrado which he himself invents, firing a shot from outside the box that is not that far away from goal, I must say.
FULL TIME: Fiorentina 1-0 Livorno
It is all over at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence where Fiorentina have defeated Livorno 1-0, thanks to a second-half goal from Gonzalo Rodriguez. It was largely a deserved win for the hosts, although the visitors were denied by the crossbar and came close on a number of occasions in the second period.
The win lifts the Viola level on 36 points with Napoli, who are in action tomorrow, while Livorno remain second from bottom in the league table.
I hope that you enjoyed our live coverage of the Serie A encounter here on Sports Mole. Thank you for joining me and have a good evening. It’s goodbye from me for now.
Written by
Subhankar Mondal
Subhankar Mondal
