Match Report: Fiorentina 3-0 Parma

Fiorentina 3-0 Parma

After the horrible result at home against Sevilla on Thursday, there was never a time where a result at home was needed more. Despite the fact that Parma are already relegated, it was to be no mean feat for the players and manager Vincenzo Montella to pick themselves up after such a crushing defeat, and with a 3-1 defeat at home to Cagliari just three weeks ago, the viola had already been warned against complacency.

The fans only had to wait 13 minutes for Fiorentina to make their breakthrough. Josip Iličić whipped in a free kick, which Parma managed to half clear, only for Gonzalo Rodriguez to meet the ball with a strong header to register his seventh goal of the season - not a bad return for a central defender. The midfield were all working hard to ensure a confident and assured performance, and chances were coming thick and fast, captain Manuel Pasqual going closest - finding himself alone in the box and only being denied by an excellent Antonio Mirante save. On the half hour mark, Alberto Gilardino made the dominance count from another set piece with his second goal in successive league games. Mati Fernandez took the corner which Gila made no mistake in heading home. The rest of the half continued with Parma being camped in their own half and Gilardino showed his determination and desire to score more goals, punching the ground in frustration when he narrowly missed a chance just before half time.

Parma came out in the second half with their spirits slightly renewed after a couple of half chances and a weak penalty appeal but any enthusiasm was soon killed off when Mohammed Salah scored on 56 minutes. The Egyptian turned smartly and sent his right foot shot into the bottom corner to the delight of the viola faithful. By now, the game was won and Salah and Gonzalo were substituted midway through the second half, both players receiving standing ovations for their performances. Salah's replacement Alessandro Diamanti hit the crossbar not long after coming on and Gilardino thought he had scored a second at the end, only for it to be disallowed for offside.

The performance was comprehensive and the players gave everything that was asked of them to send the Fiorentina fans home happy. Montella's team finish the weekend in 5th place and with two games left against Palermo and Chievo are still on track to achieve their goal come the end of the season.

Neto 6 Tomović 5.5 Gonzalo 7 Savić 6 Pasqual 6.5 Aquilani 6 Pizarro 6.5 Mati 7.5 Iličić 6 Gilardino 7 Salah 7 Montella 7

— Viola Nation (@Viola_Nation) May 18, 2015