Fiorentina and Frosinone shared the spoils after each rattling the woodwork, but the point is a disappointment for both sides.
The race for Europe and safety intersected at the Matusa, as a win would put the Viola into fourth place after Inter’s draw at Roma last night or catapult the Canarini out of the relegation zone, as Palermo were held by Empoli. Aleandro Rosi sat out a ban for the hosts, while Nenad Tomovic and Yohan Benalouane didn’t make the trip.
The only previous meeting between these sides saw Fiorentina win 4-1 back in November.
Josip Ilicic’s meek finish wasted a promising counter, while the hosts lost Alessandro Frara to injury early on.
Oliver Kragl tested Ciprian Tatarusanu with a volley from outside the box, then his angled drive flashed across the face of goal.
On the stroke of half-time, Fiorentina had a triple opportunity that somehow stayed out. First Nikola Kalinic hit the post, then Borja Valero forced a save at the near post, fired the rebound on to the underside of the bar from a tight angle and Kalinic blasted the follow-up over!
There were numerous fouls and cards in the first half, which culminated during the break in Paulo Sousa diving in to prevent a brawl breaking out as the players went towards the locker rooms.
Nicola Leali flew to palm away a Matias Vecino’s effort from point-blank range on a corner, then was tested from distance by Federico Bernardeschi.
Ciprian Tatarusanu made up for a poor clearance by saving the Aleksandar Tonev screamer. Frosinone should’ve taken the lead on 82 minutes when Oliver Kragl unleashed a rocket from 25 metres that rebounded off the bar, but the follow-up was straight at Tatarusanu.
Cristian Tello’s shot was charged down in the box, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
Frosinone: Leali; M Ciofani (Pryima 90), Ajeti, Blanchard, Pavlovic; Sammarco, Paganini, Frara (Buchel 24), Gori, Kragl; D Ciofani (Tonev 74)
Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori, Alonso; Badelj (Zarate 72), Vecino, Borja Valero; Bernardeschi (Tello 63), Ilicic (Babacar 86); Kalinic
Ref: Valeri
