A Robin Gosens header proved enough to give Fiorentina victory and surge eight points clear of the relegation zone, but Lazio were furious after a controversial refereeing decision.
The Viola had a significant opportunity to create a comfortable gap from the relegation zone. However, they were still feeling the strain of their 3-0 Conference League quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday, with the second leg looming. Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli were unavailable due to suspensions, while Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini, and Tariq Lamptey remained sidelined through injury.
The Biancocelesti had won three of their last four matches, despite an injury crisis that included Adam Marusic, Daniel Maldini, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot, and Nicolò Rovella. Nevertheless, Mattia Zaccagni and Patric were immediately included in the starting eleven.
Zaccagni nearly opened the scoring in the third minute. After receiving a precise pass from Boulaye Dia, he was unmarked on the left and his angled drive was narrowly tipped wide by David De Gea.
Matteo Cancellieri also tested De Gea at the near post, while Roberto Piccoli fired just over the bar from the edge of the penalty area following a well-executed counter-attack.
Fiorentina took the lead when Jack Harrison delivered a cross from the right for Robin Gosens. Gosens outjumped Manuel Lazzari at the far post and headed the ball down from seven yards into the net.
Cancellieri sprinted back to make a decisive block and prevent Cher Ndour from countering, while Zaccagni’s snapshot was straight at De Gea.
After the break, Tijjani Noslin fired over the bar. Harrison had a double attempt at the near post blocked, with the second being parried by Edoardo Motta.
A controversial incident occurred in the 64th minute when Tijjani Noslin went down theatrically in the box after a collision with Rolando Mandragora. Referee Michael Fabbri booked the Lazio player for simulation. Despite a VAR review showing contact, the referee maintained his decision, deeming it insufficient for a penalty.
Fiorentina also expressed anger over a free-kick awarded for Gosens’ challenge on Gustav Isaksen, but Nuno Tavares’ subsequent shot sailed over the bar.
From close range, Noslin couldn’t direct his header on target from an Isaksen cross. Moments later, De Gea made a crucial save to deny Petar Ratkov’s header shortly after his introduction.
Giovanni Fabbian nodded Dodô’s cross over the bar, and Ndour’s strike from the edge of the area went just wide in stoppage time. The final action of the game saw an acrobatic volley from Pedro saved by De Gea.
Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio
Gosens 28′ (F)