Ranieri’s Roma up to second in Scudetto race

Fiorentina 0-1 AS Roma

Roma continued their impressive unbeaten streak in Serie A as they overcame Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday night.

The Giallorossi’s Serbian striker, Mirko Vučinić, snatched a late winner to deprive the home side of a well-earned point.

It is a result which will have pleased Roma manager Claudio Ranieri as he was forced to make do without the injured Toni and with captain Francesco Totti only lasting one half as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.

In truth Fiorentina were the better side. Unafraid to throw men forward they looked a threat every time they broke forward. The dextrous Vargas dictated much of the play and looked to carve open the away defence on every available occasion.

He was joined by Stevan Jovetić. The Montenegrin forward displayed neat footwork and required close attention from the Roma centre backs throughout the match.

However the key factor in the match was the outstanding performances by Juan and Mexes. The pair remained solid throughout the match and ensured that Roma completed a shutout.

Whenever Fiorentina did outsmart the two defenders, Júlio Sérgio proved a reliable pair of hands between the sticks for the away side, making several smart reaction saves.

De Silvestri wasted the home side’s best chance of the match. A slip by John Arne Riise afforded the Fiorentina player a clear sighting on goal but he blazed his shot into the side netting.

Roma meanwhile, were content to hit their opposition on the counter-attack.

When Totti departed from the pitch De Rossi took over the mantle of captain. The imposing defensive midfielder dominated affairs in the middle of the park and continually looked to set his team on the break.

Up front Vučinić looked irresistible with the ball at his feet but failed to produce the final product, spurning several goal-scoring chances. However when the ball fell to him from a corner in the latter moments of the match he made no mistake.

The striker rifled the ball into the roof of the net to secure a fortunate victory for the visitors. Roma held out for the final ten minutes and indeed could have added a second as Fiorentina flooded forward.

The result means Roma go two points clear in second place ahead of AC Milan who dropped points away to Bologna. In addition Ranieri’s side extended their unbeaten run in the League which stretches from October.