Fiorentina thanked Pietro Terracciano for some fantastic saves and grabbed a last-gasp win away to 10-man Spezia with Nikola Milenkovic and Arthur Cabral.
The Viola shook off that controversial 4-3 defeat to Inter by beating Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League on Thursday evening, but Nico Gonzalez and Riccardo Sottil were still out of action. Spezia missed Simone Bastoni and Viktor Kovalenko. Both these sides had just one point from their last four Serie A games.
It was a tough start for Fiorentina, as Pietro Terracciano made a huge save from point-blank range on Emmanuel Gyasi within 75 seconds, then moments later was again forced to deny the striker one-on-one.
However, the Viola took the lead against the run of play with Nikola Milenkovic’s glancing header on a Cristiano Biraghi corner.
Luka Jovic almost made it 2-0 when thumping the base of the upright on a Jonathan Ikone assist, but Terracciano made another desperate flying fingertip save on the M’Bala Nzola header from a Medhi Bourabia free kick.
It became increasingly tense with many cards, fouls and complaints, but Spezia had a triple opportunity with Gyasi and Nzola shots charged down before Kevin Agudelo stung Terracciano’s gloves at the near post.
Spezia eventually got their deserved equaliser, as Agudelo’s cross was knocked down by Ethan Ampadu for Nzola to fire in from point-blank range. Christian Kouame was keeping everyone onside.
On the stroke of half-time there was another big chance for Fiorentina, Jakub Kiwior making a crucial block on Ikone sent through by Jovic.
Kiwior also deflected Kouame’s strike round the post and an Ikone effort over the bar, while Jovic drilled just wide from the edge of the area, again under pressure from Kiwior.
Spezia still pushed, David Strelec forcing a great low one-handed Terracciano save.
However, the hosts were reduced to 10 men, as VAR intervened to recommend a straight red card rather than yellow for Dimitrios Nikolaou catching Arthur Cabral on the shin. The leg was taut and he did not try to pull out.
Rolando Mandragora drilled wide, but Fiorentina turned it around with a chaotic last-minute move. First Kouame pulled back for Riccardo Saponara, whose shot took a double deflection before the Bartlomiej Dragowski save, then Cabral drilled the rebound through Kiwior’s legs.
Spezia 1-2 Fiorentina
Milenkovic 14 (F), Nzola 35 (S), Cabral 90 (F)
Sent off: Nikolaou 82 (S)