Pre-match

SPAL manager Luigi di Biagio made a few changes, including a young goalkeeper in Demba Thiam and a young striker in Jaume Cuellar. Ex-Viola players Nenad Tomović and Bryan Dabo were also in the XI. Fiorentina boss Giuseppe Iachini, having promised “experimentation,” delivered: Igor, Federico Ceccherini, Kevin Agudelo, and Dušan Vlahović all started.

First half

Federico Chiesa picked up possession at the edge of the box and neatly laid the ball off for the onrushing Alfred Duncan. The Ghanaian absolutely crushed his first-time shot in off the near post; it was across the line before Thiam could even twitch.

SPAL equalized when Pol Lirola literally ran in a circle deep in the Viola half before losing the ball; Mattia Valoti got his cutback in and Marco D’Alessandro dispatched it with a very nice volley.

Second half

Christian Kouamé scored his second first goal for Fiorentina, rising brilliantly to glance home an Erick Pulgar corner very late on. No question of an own goal to take this one away, and the Ivorian was all smiles.

Chiesa won a late penalty after Kevin Bonifazi harpooned his foot in the air and Pulgar made no mistake with the penalty, burying his 7th of the season.

Full time

Goals: D’Alessandro 39’ (ass. Valoti); Duncan 30’ (ass. Chiesa)

Cards: Fares 45’+2

Change in standings

Fiorentina finish in 10th. SPAL finish in last. Whatever.