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Tottenham vs Fiorentina, Final Score 1-1: A good draw in London

Fiorentina somehow survived the first half, dominated in the second

By Uros Popovic
Clive Rose/Getty Images

Fiorentina have managed to get a more than decent result at White Hart Lane, after an awful start, and a great second half of the game. Roberto Soldado's volley gave the home team a lead at 6th minute, Jose Basanta answered half an hour later. Goals came after set pieces, even though both teams had a handful of chances to score from action.

It started with a Tottenham domination. Like, total domination. The viola looked confused by home team pressing high up the pitch. Most of the problems came from wide positions, which wasn't really a surprise. Andros Townsend tortured Manuel Pasqual, who couldn't cope with his speed. It was obvious, and Vincenzo Montella should have probably reacted even before the half time, but he didn't, and we almost paid for it dearly. Tottenham took the lead after a corner, which came after Ciprian Tatarusanu saved Nacer Chadli's one on one. Paulinho's cross found Roberto Soldado (yes, him) who volleyed the ball in the Tata's left angle.

It continued in pretty much the same matter, Tottenham looked much quicker, stronger, and could have probably increased the lead. But, thankfully, they didn't. As the time went by, Fiorentina grew into the game, especially Joaquin and Mohamed Salah. There were couple of decent tries, and a penalty call after a foul on Mario Gomez, but the goal came from the set piece. Mati Fernandez's free kick was saved, but the ball came to Stefan Savic who assisted to Basanta inside the box, and the Argentine flicked it in. Chadli almost put the home team back on top, but we were very lucky, as the Belgian hit the bar from few meters away.

Montella switched to 4-3-3 in the second half, completely changing the game. Townsend was completely neutralized, and Fiorentina was in control, close to even win, but Salah and Mario Gomez couldn't find the net.

It was a game of completely wrong approach, but corrections made by Montella gave results. The second leg at Franchi will be spectacular, and Fiorentina are now favorites. But we will have to start playing from the beginning, not gift half an hour to the opponent.

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