VERONA: Fiorentina won 2-1 at Hellas Verona in Serie A on Tuesday to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

A first-half Dusan Vlahovic penalty and a Martin Caceres goal against his former team secured the win for Fiorentina although Eddie Salcedo’s header 18 minutes from time set up a nervy finale.

Fiorentina moved eight points above the relegation zone, ahead of the rest of the midweek games. Verona remained safely in mid-table despite their sixth defeat in seven matches.

It was coach Giuseppe Iachini’s first win since returning to the Fiorentina bench after a draw and two losses.

Both clubs were on a poor run of results and it was Fiorentina who broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when Vlahovic converted a penalty after Antonin Barak bundled over Giacomo Bonaventura.

Caceres scored Fiorentina’s second in the 65th minute after Verona failed to clear a free kick, but substitute Salcedo reduced the deficit seven minutes later.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2021