Fiorentina left it late against Genoa this afternoon but kept their Champions League charge alive with a 3-2 victory.

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La Viola got off to a flier through Alberto Aquilani, who marked his return from suspension with a goal after beating Andreas Granqvist in the air.

David Pizarro then hit the bar for the home side, who were pegged back just after the break when Daniele Portonova headed home from close range.

Genoa's parity did not last long as they gifted Fiorentina a second goal. Juan Cuadrado was the player on hand to net a simple chance after Alexandros Tzorvas made the fatal error.

The visitors responded once more to level as Luca Antonelli punished some slack Fiorentina defending.

A pulsating match then took a twist when Andrea Bertolacci was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Three minutes later Fiorentina found the winning goal when Mattia Cassani turned Borja Valero's cross into his own net from close range.

Cuadrado and Matias Fernandez both went close late on as Vincenzo Montella's side controlled possession to see out a crucial win.