Udinese 3 : 1 Fiorentina - Udinese hit back for win

Posted Sunday, January 13, 2013 by PA

Udinese came from behind to keep their outside chances of playing in Europe again next season alive thanks to an impressive 3-1 win over Fiorentina.

An unfortunate own goal from Zeljko Brkic gave Fiorentina the lead in the 19th minute, but Antonio Di Natale levelled matters from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time.

Di Natale then gave Udinese the lead before Muriel grabbed a third to lift the Zebrette level on points with seventh-placed AC Milan, five points behind the Viola, who occupy the last Europa League qualifying berth.

Fiorentina lost fourth place to Inter Milan yesterday and they seemed keen to win it back as chances from Stevan Jovetic and Alberto Aquilani nearly gave them the lead.

They went in front in the 19th minute when Gonzalo Rodriguez's effort from distance hit the crossbar and bounced down onto the back of Brkic and into the goal with the Udinese goalkeeper powerless to keep it out.

Udinese enjoyed more possession, but struggled to create chances while the best opportunities were created by the visitors.

The home team got the chance to level on the stroke of half time, though, when Giulio Migliaccio was penalised for a foul on Maurizio Domizzi inside the penalty area.

Di Natale stepped up to bring Udinese level just before the referee blew for half time.

With the momentum from that goal, Udinese came out for the second half in a more positive mood and it took them 20 minutes to go in front.

Di Natale beat the offside trap to reach Andrea Lazzari's pass and beat Neto with a composed right-foot finish.

Just two minutes later, Neto had to fish the ball out of the back of the net once again, this time due to a mistake of his own when he failed to deal well enough with a 35-yard effort from Muriel, which he somehow let through his grasp and in.

Udinese almost scored a third goal in just five minutes when Giovanni Pasquale had only Neto to beat, but the Fiorentina custodian made up for his previous mistake by keeping Fiorentina in the game.

However, Vincenzo Montella's side were unable to mount a comeback and Udinese always seemed more likely to score a fourth at the Stadio Friuli, Dusan Basta going closest.