Fiorentina beat 10-man Lazio 1-0 on Saturday to maintain a four-point lead over fifth-placed AC Milan.

Having earlier hit the crossbar, substitute Giampaolo Pazzini struck late on to give the hosts three points, capitalising on Massimo Mutarelli’s 37th-minute dismissal.

The result cements the hosts’ position in fourth - the last Champions League qualifying spot - but dents Lazio’s quest for a place in the UEFA Cup.

Just before the half-hour mark, Montolivo floated in a cross from the left wing and found Adrian Mutu, whose header was cleared off the line by goalkeeper Marco Ballotta.

Ten minutes into the second half the hosts came close to breaking the deadlock when Mutu’s shot from Liverani’s cross was cleared off the line and Pazzini headed the rebound on to the crossbar.

Mutu missed another chance when he fired inches over from Potenza’s cross as the Viola pushed forward in search of the opener.

Fiorentina finally took the lead in the 77th minute when Pazzini collected Liverani’s pass on the left of the penalty area and fired home a right-footed shot for his eighth goal of the season.

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Posted on March 26th, 2008 by Dan
Filed under: Fiorentina