Fiorentina hosted Parma in Serie A tonight looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season last week, a match which saw them surrender the lead in a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan.
Parma travelled to Tuscany in confident mood and took the lead just before the break, with Walter Gargano's deflected strike finding the far corner.
La Viola responded after the break and equalised through Gonzalo Rodriguez, before substitute Juan Vargas put them ahead late on.
There was still time for further late drama though, as Massimo Gobbi headed home a last-gasp equaliser from close range.
Look back on a topsy-turvy thriller in Florence with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Evening Calcio fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for live coverage of the final match from round six in Serie A, which sees Fiorentina host Parma in a clash between sides at opposite ends of the table.
Fiorentina have enjoyed a successful start to the season but head into tonight's clash desperate to atone for their collapse against Inter last week, which saw Vincenzo Montella's side score first at the San Siro but still their first match of the campaign.
Montella's commitment to attacking football has been lauded by the majority of observers over the last 12 months, but that defeat to Inter on Thursday was definitely a sign that they need to shore up at the other end. Tonight's clash with Parma offers the perfect chance for La Viola to respond, with a victory enough to take them clear in fifth place.
Parma meanwhile have flattered to deceive in their first five matches of the campaign, winning just once and struggling for goals. Last week's clash with Atalanta may have proved to be a turning point though, with Roberto Donadoni's men edging a 4-3 thriller to get their first victory.
Donadoni's side have looked particularly poor away from home, scoring just once in three matches on the road. Fiorentina will definitely give them chances to end that barren run on their travels, but can they take advantage and win a congested midfield battle?
Fiorentina are currently without two key players through injury, which may well have had an impact at Inter. Marquee summer signing Mario Gomez is out for at least another month with a partial knee ligament tear, while Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
La Viola have got one key player back to full fitness though in Giuseppe Rossi, with the striker firing on all cylinders early in the campaign. The Italian international has six goals in all competitions so far this season, finally putting knee problems behind him to shine in Serie A.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received the starting lineups from Tuscany and there is a notable inclusion in attack for Fiorentina, with Polish youngster Rafal Wolski returning to the starting XI. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.
FIORENTINA XI: Neto; Rodriguez, Alonso, Roncaglia; Pizarro, Aquilani, Savic, Joaquin, Borja Valero; Wolski; Rossi
PARMA XI: Mirante; Cassani, Lucarelli, Felipe; Biabiany, Parolo, Marchionni, Gargano, Gobbi, Cassano; Palladino
Wolski's inclusion is one of four changes for Fiorentina this afternoon, with the youngster replacing Matias Fernandez in an advanced attacking role. David Pizarro is also recalled after missing the clash with Inter through suspension, replacing Massimo Ambrosini to sit just behind Borja Valero and Alberto Aquilani.
Parma meanwhile have made wholesale changes despite winning their first game of the season against Atalanta last week. Raffaelle Palladino comes in for the suspended Amauri in attack, while there are also starts for Jonathan Biabiany, Felipe and Massimo Gobbi.
PREDICTION! Parma have definitely made an attempt to shore things up with that starting XI, but I still expect Fiorentina's patient, possession football to reap rewards this evening. In Rossi they have a striker in a rich vein of form and I expect the forward to be on target again tonight, helping Montella's men bounce back with a 2-1 win.
The two teams are greeted by 'Welcome to the Jungle' on the PA system. Can Fiorentina return to winning ways and keep up with the pace setters in Serie A, or will Parma build on last week's win to spring a surprise in Tuscany? We are about to find out!
Here we go then in Florence, with Fiorentina getting the match underway, shooting from right to left. The hosts are quick to break forward, but Lucarelli is across quickly to smash clear.
Parma win a corner kick inside two minutes and take it short, but Cassano's eventual cross is blocked clear. Just a sign of some defensive frailty there for the hosts, with Rodriguez smashing behind under little pressure.
Fiorentina establish possession with Roncaglia, who is brought down by Palladino near the touchline. Foul aside that is some of what Parma need this evening, pressing high to force mistakes.
The hosts are slightly fortunate to see the offside flag go up against Marchionni, who looked to have timed his run onto Cassano's chipped pass perfectly. Parma are quickly back on the attack through Cassani, who strides forward to drive at goal. His strike is parried by a punch from Neto, with Palladino unable to profit on the rebound.
Gargano is just unable to find Gobbi in space out wide but Parma are back on the attack in a positive start. Cassano picks up the pieces and looks for Biabiany, who outmuscles Savic to retain possession out wide, but is eventually crowded out.
Fiorentina want a free kick as Joaquin goes to ground under a challenge from Lucarelli, but the official is not interested and waves away his protests.
More like it from the hosts as Joaquin comes close to picking out Rossi, with his through ball just a touch to heavy and running through to Mirante. There is a sense of frustration surrounding La Viola's early play, as Valero concedes a free kick for a high foot just outside the penalty area.
Cassano's free kick is a poor one, missing a packed penalty area. At the other end Aquilani and Valero exchange passes in the final third, giving the Spaniard space to smash over from 30 yards.
Palladino's clever flick comes within inches of meeting Gobbi's late run into the penalty area for Parma, with Rodriguez getting in the way to clear behind for a corner kick. Donadoni's men look motivated to perform tonight and have settled quickly.
Pace at both ends sees Joaquin beat Parolo before misplacing his cross for Fiorentina, before Biabiany races onto a long pass before rashly smashing over from a tight angle. Just a lack of composure there but the game is opening up, with an intriguing tactical battle on show.
Fiorentina win a free kick around 30 yards from goal, which Valero whips into the box invitingly from a wide angle. The ball is floated into the near post and finds a run across goal from Savic, who can only flick his header well over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Marchionnni is cautioned for barging into the back of Joaquin, with the early caution enough to see him suspended for Parma's next game. That decision looked rather harsh, with the Spaniard making the most of minimal contact to win a free kick.
Parma are slow to clear their lines from Valero's latest free kick and are nearly punished by Aquilani, who sends an instinctive overhead kick wide of the near post.
Rossi has just spurned a golden opportunity for Fiorentina after missing a free header from six yards. The forward was given time and space in the penalty area after Parma were caught cold by Roncaglia's early cross, but Rossi failed to find the target with his effort.
CHANCE! This time its Parma's turn to waste a wonderful opening as Palladino gets a fortunate break to control inside the penalty area, as Alonso slips in his attempt to head clear. The forward opts for pace over power from eight yards and hits it straight at Neto, who gratefully holds at the second time of asking.
YELLOW CARD! Aquilani becomes the first Fiorentina player to be booked after blocking off Parolo, standing still in his path in a cynical challenge. That makes it a caution apiece in the early going.
Roncaglia drags a speculative drive from distance well wide before Parma win a corner kick at the other end, but another poor set piece misses the penalty area. Mistakes are creeping in all over the pitch, as Alonso fails to find Aquilani with a routine switch inside.
Biabiany just hesitates after using his pace to meet an intelligent pass out wide from Cassano. That reluctance to drive inside just costs the Frenchman, who is crowded out in his attempts to cross by Savic.
Cassano is starting to warm to the task as he shows skill out wide, twisting and turning to win a corner kick. His delivery from the corner is gobbled up by Neto though, with Felipe requiring treatment after running straight into the goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTION: A huge blow for Fiorentina as Rossi walks to the touchline clearly in some discomfort. Serie A's joint-top scorer will have to go off, with Croatian youngster Rebic hurried on for his full debut.
Fiorentina press forward as Roncaglia finds some space out wide, offloading to Joaquin. The move breaks down soon after though as Pizarro fails to pick out Alonso, with Palladino unable to take advantage for Parma on the counter attack.
YELLOW CARD! Lucarelli concedes a free kick just outside the area after tripping Rebic, who used quick feet to glide inside and draw a foul. The veteran defender is cautioned for the tackle, but more importantly La Viola have a free kick just inches wide of the box at an acute angle.
Valero's delivery is wasteful, lacking height or direction as Parma clear. The visitors are then unhappy with Savic's attempts to volley on the follow-up, with his stray boot catching Gobbi.
GOAL! Fiorentina 0-1 (Gargano)
A slice of fortune for Parma as the visitors go ahead moments before the half-time whistle. Gargano got the goal via the aid of a wicked deflection, turning inside before seeing his low shot bounce off Rodriguez and into the corner. Advantage Parma!
HALF TIME Fiorentina 0-1 Parma
Well that sucker-punch just before the interval has Parma firmly in control of this clash, with Donadoni's men rewarded for a positive approach to the tricky fixture. Fiorentina spurned their best chance early on through Rossi, who has since departed through injury.
La Viola have struggled to control the match in their usual patient style, with Valero and Aquilani unable to find space in a congested midfield. Parma have pressed high and more importantly shown creative spark at the other end, with Cassano's guile and Biabiany's pace a threat.
Rossi's loss through injury before the break is a massive blow to Fiorentina's chances of responding tonight. With Mario Gomez also sidelined La Viola have been forced to send on Croatian youngster Rebic, with Joaquin and Wolski largely anonymous during the first period.
Donadoni is now in an interesting position at the break, does he sit on this narrow advantage or continue to press for a second. With the crowd on Fiorentina's back I would suggest the latter, particularly as Biabiany has the beating of Alonso out wide.
BENCH WATCH! Both manages have options in reserve if they choose to make a change early in the second half, although Montella's are becoming increasingly stretched. Montella could still use Chilean playmaker Matias Fernandez or Josip Ilicic, while Parma have Okaka, Sansano or the more conservative option of Pedro Mendes among their substitutes.
Both sides are back out in Florence, can Parma take advantage of their fine start to win away from home for the first time season? Or will Aquilani and Valero lead a response for an out-of-sorts Fiorentina? We will find out shortly.
As the second half gets underway there is news of a second change for Fiorentina, with Wolski swapped for Vargas. That change is definitely geared to find a creative spark in the final third, which the Polish youngster was unable to find in the first period.
Early signs of intent for Vargas as he breaks free down the left wing, crossing into the penalty area. His delivery nearly finds a run from Rebic at the far post, with the Croatian just beaten to the ball. Parma may have to survive an early onslaught here.
Vargas has made a bright start and wins a corner kick off Cassani, which Valero will take. His superb cross goes into the near post but is headed clear, with Mirante quick off his line to clear on the follow-up. Parma break quickly and have four men free in the penalty area. A quick pull-back very unfortunately flies free of spare men in the box, with Valero able to clear off Cassano.
Back to probing for Fiorentina as Alonso looks for Vargas with a diagonal ball, but the Chilean is caught offside by some astute defending from Lucarelli.
Valero's intricate swivel and flick inside just runs through the legs of Cassani, but Aquilani is unable to anticipate as the ball trickles out for a goal kick. Fiorentina are playing well but still trail.
Vargas and Cassani are competing in an intense duel out wide, which sees Fiorentina win a corner kick. Parma clear but Alonso is quick to win a second successive corner for the hosts. This time Valero's ball towards the near post is a good one, but the ball bounces down in a ruck of players before a free kick is given against Savic for pushing.
Parma are struggling to leave their own half and are sitting deep, by get a breather as Vargas brings down Cassano with a trip on the halfway line.
Fiorentina are showing desire but very little cutting edge, as Gobbi intercepts a stray pass from Vargas, who has been heavily involved since coming on. Parma are then able to venture forward through Palladino, who is content to check back inside and find Cassano.
SAVE! Alonso goes within fractions of equalising for Fiorentina, with Mirante at full stretch to parry. The full-back hammered a strike through Cassani's legs, with the ball flying up as Mirante dived across. The goalkeeper just adjusts in time to make a fine stop, his first real involvement of the match.
GOAL! Fiorentina 1-1 Parma (Rodriguez)
Fiorentina restore parity and it's no less than they deserve after one-way traffic for much of the second period. It's Argentine defender Rodriguez who gets it, atoning for his error in the first half by rising highest to head home Valero's cross at the near post. Game on!
SUBSTITUTION: Parma react to conceding by making a positive change, with young starlet Sansano replacing Palladino. Just before that change Fiorentina midfielder Pizarro was cautioned for diving, after throwing himself to the ground under minimal contact.
This game has opened up as Joaquin's cross comes within inches of meeting Rebic at one end, before Sansone's terrific crossfield pass finds Cassano at the other. The veteran attempts to cut inside and is stopped by Savic, with Gargano caught by the frenetic pace of the match as he hacks over Aquilani in central midfield.
YELLOW CARDS! Parolo hacks over Roncaglia from behind and gives Fiorentina a free kick around 25 yards from goal. The midfielder is booked but is soon joined in the referee's notebook by the goalscorer Rodriguez, who gets cautioned for dissent.
SUBSTITUTIONS: More changes from both sides, with Parma making a conservative swap as Cassano is replaced by Rosi. Fiorentina's change is quite the opposite, with Cuadrado returning from injury to come on for Roncaglia out wide.
Valero's latest free kick causes all kinds of problems as the ball bounces twice inside the penalty area, with Joaquin's shot deflected clear on the follow-up. Fiorentina look most threatening from set pieces, but can they force a late winner?
GOAL! Fiorentina 2-1 Parma (Vargas)
What a moment for the substitute Juan Vargas as he puts Fiorentina ahead. The Chilean chested under pressure from Lucarelli and catches the defender wrong-footed, sliding in to turn a deflected strike into the bottom corner. Huge fortune surrounding that goal but La Viola won't care, they lead with 10 minutes to play.
Ill-discipline has blighted Parma's efforts in the second half and that continues as Rosi brings down Vargas, taking out some frustration on the winger there. The visitors still have time to respond, as Lucarelli brings the ball out of defence.
Rebic races to the near post as he attempts to meet a devilish curling cross from Vargas, but he was just too eager and runs offside. Before the free kick can be taken Parma swap a defender for a striker in one last throw of the dice, with Okaka replacing Cassani.
Aquilani stops Gobbi winning a corner kick out wide, with his switch to Pizarro helping Fiorentina advance upfield. The hosts are just looking to run down the clock now, as Valero takes his time with a throw-in.
Gargano's terrible crossfield pass fails to reach Parolo as Parma throw away possession, just as the fourth official shows there will be two minutes of added time.
GOAL! Fiorentina 2-2 Parma (Gobbi)
Parma have equalised with what will surely be the last kick of the match, quite incredible. Biabiany created the chance, reaching the byline with pace before crossing high towards the far post. The ball hangs in the air for an age before dropping to Gobbi, who beats his marker to head home from two yards. What a finish!
FULL TIME Fiorentina 2-2 Parma
That last-gasp equaliser means Fiorentina have failed to win at home for the second time last season, in a topsy-turvy match which saw La Vioal come from behind to lead heading into stoppage time. On reflection the visitors probably deserved a point, after largely controlling the first half.
Fiorentina look furious as they trudge off, but that hard-fought point is enough to take them fifth in Serie A, clear of Lazio and Verona by a point. Parma meanwhile stay 14th, but have now taken four points from their last two matches to revitalise their campaign after a poor start.
Well that thriller in Tuscany concludes over coverage from Serie A this weekend, thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to stay tuned all week for all your Champions League needs. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
