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Rolando stars as Fiorentina ease past basement club Cremonese

Rory Baird
Rolando celebrates his goal before providing an assist later in the game
Rolando celebrates his goal before providing an assist later in the gameAFP
Fiorentina kept their dreams of European qualification alive as they defeated relegation candidates Cremonese 2-0 at the Stadio Giovanni Zini. The victory ensured that La Viola completed a first ever league double over the hosts.

Cremonese came into the game having won their last outing at home to end their 30 game wait for a Serie A victory - the joint-longest of any club in the Italian top flight’s history.

However, normal service looked to have resumed as Fiorentina dominated the opening stages of the game and almost took the lead after 20 minutes, as Rolando Mandragora picked up the ball on the edge of the area before unleashing a rasping low effort that whistled narrowly past the post.

La Viola had struggled to secure victory in their recent Serie A away fixtures after winning just one of their last five trips on the road. Despite this, they did eventually manage to make their early pressure count, and Mandragora got his goal, as the midfielder pounced on a loose ball to bury his first time effort into the bottom corner.

Fiorentina are still looking to secure European football for next season, as they sat four points adrift of seventh at the start of the game week and they wasted no time in doubling their advantage after the break, as it took them just five minutes.

Mandragora was again instrumental in the goal as he stormed into the box before squaring the ball to Arthur Cabral who tapped the ball into the empty goal.

The visitors continued to dominate the game as it approached the closing stages, and very nearly went three goals ahead but Marco Carnesecchi was on hand to make a strong save to deny Luka Jovic.

Cremonese hadn't given up hope though and continued to try to get back into the game, with their best chance falling the way of David Okereke, but the Nigerian forward was denied by an onrushing Salvatore Sirigu.

Fiorentina managed to see out the victory to go three points adrift of seventh and European qualification. Meanwhile, Cremonese were unable to make it back-to-back home victories as they remain 12 points adrift of safety.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Rolando Mandragora (Fiorentina)

See all the match stats here.