Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Fiorentina - Tottenham held in opening leg

Roberto Soldado's best moment in a Tottenham shirt was quickly followed by one to forget as he unnecessarily gave away the free-kick which allowed Fiorentina to secure a draw and what could prove a decisive away goal in this Europa League tie.

This encounter is the first of six vital fixtures Mauricio Pochettino's side face over a testing 17-day period, which includes the mouth-watering prospect of Capital One Cup glory against rivals Chelsea.

The Wembley showdown comes just three days after the return leg of the last-32 tie in Florence - a match they approach off the back of a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, where Soldado's moment of magic was cancelled out by a Jose Maria Basanta strike which stemmed from his rush of blood to the head.

The Spaniard was one of six changes made by Pochettino for a match which got off to an ideal start when the B£26million striker showed wonderful skill and composure to volley home a Paulinho corner

Spurs looked set to add to that goal during a sustained period of pressure, only for Fiorentina to draw level before half-time as Basanta fired home during a penalty box melee that followed a free-kick Soldado foolishly gave away.

Nacer Chadli saw an effort come off the underside of the bar as Tottenham tried in vain to regain the lead, with not even star turn Harry Kane's second-half introduction able to help them breach the Italian high-fliers' goal.