Catania 1 : 0 Fiorentina - Lodi gives Catania big lift

Catania took a giant step towards retaining their Serie A status with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fiorentina at the Angelo Massimino stadium.

Francesco Lodi struck the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the 58th minute to hand the Sicilians their 10th victory this season.

The result has lifted Catania to eighth in the standings, just two points from the 40-point mark, a figure deemed sufficient to avoid relegation.

Fiorentina, who were without the team's top scorer Stevan Jovetic through injury, have dropped to 13th place.

The hosts almost took a seventh-minute lead but Fiorentina goalkeeper Artur Boruc saved Gonzalo Bergessio's close-range header.

The visitors had their first chance in the 13th minute when Juan Vargas fed Alessio Cerci in the box and his powerful shot was kept out by Catania goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

Midway through the first half, Carrizo was forced to fully stretch to clear Andrea Lazzari's attempt towards the far post.

Catania could have gone in front before the interval but Bergessio's header from Marco Motta's cross went wide.

Fiorentina dominated possession early in the second half and had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute but Cerci's effort from inside the area was saved by Carrizo.

The Viola were looking more dangerous, but it was Catania who took the lead.

The referee pointed to the spot after Alessandro Gamberini brought down Bergessio in the area.

Lodi drove the ball into the top right corner where Boruc could not reach to score his seventh goal of the campaign.

In the 75th minute, Cesare Natali headed Vargas' free-kick wide of the far post as Fiorentina went in search of an equaliser.

Catania defended deeply in the final stages and held on for three valuable points.

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