Hot Gervinho helps Roma end draw run
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, December 9, 2013
Italian Serie A title challenger AS Roma ended a run of four successive draws with an enthralling 2-1 win over Fiorentina yesterday, helped by an inspirational display from Gervinho who set up both the goals.
The Ivorian has enjoyed a new lease of life since his move from Arsenal in the close season and repeatedly tormented Fiorentina's defense as Roma recaptured the form which helped it win its first 10 games.
Maicon and Mattia Destro, making his first appearance of the season after a knee injury, were on target as Roma, on 37 points and still unbeaten after 15 games, stayed three behind leader Juventus which won 2-0 at Bologna on Friday.
Serie A is already threatening to turn into a two-horse race with third-placed Napoli having dropped five points behind Roma after its 3-3 home draw with Udinese on Saturday.
The mere presence of talismanic Francesco Totti on the bench, after more than one month out through injury, also appeared to inspire Rudi Garcia's side, even though the 37-year-old striker did not play.
Maicon put Roma ahead with his first goal for the club, the Brazilian bundling the ball home in the seventh minute after Gervinho pulled the ball back.
Gervinho had the Fiorentina defense in trouble every time he ran at them as Roma created chances to increase its lead.
Fiorentina, joint fourth with 27 points, was certainly not out of it and levelled on 29 minutes when Peru midfielder Juan Vargas rifled home from a Nenad Tomovic pass.
Both sides created openings early in the second half before Roma grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
Gervinho had a shot blocked by Neto and Kevin Strootman hit the Fiorentina post as the pressure mounted, the winner finally arriving when Gervinho pulled the ball back from the byline and Destro fired home.
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