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Europa League | Round-Of-32
Feb 26, 2015 at 6pm UK
 
Spurs logo

2-0

Gomez (54'), Salah (71')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Fiorentina 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Europa League last-16 clash between Fiorentina and Tottenham Hotspur.
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Fiorentina booked their spot in the last 16 of the Europa League by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Italy to send the North Londoners out of the competition.

The Serie A side held a slight advantage following a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane last week, and they frustrated the visiting attack before securing their progress with second-half goals from Mario Gomez and Mohamed Salah.

Spurs were unable to produce a response in the latter stages, and they fell to a 3-1 aggregate loss to put an end to their hopes of triumphing in a UEFA competition for the first time since 1984.

Read below to find out how the action unfolded.


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Hello everyone! It's a big night in the Europa League as 32 sides bid to earn a spot in the next round, and I'll be bringing you live updates from Fiorentina vs. Tottenham Hotspur. A 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane a week ago means that Fiorentina hold a slight advantage with the away goal, but can Spurs hit back tonight?

Last week's meeting in North London proved that these two sides are very evenly matched, and it's a safe bet to expect another tight match this evening. Jose Basanta's away goal could prove to be crucial when we look back on this tie in a couple of hours. The first goal tonight will be huge.

FIORENTINA: Neto; Richards, Savic, Basanta, Alonso; Badelj, Pizarro, Fernandez; Joaquin, Gomez, Salah

SPURS: Lloris; Chiriches, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Stambouli; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Soldado


There's surely no doubt that Mauricio Pochettino has one eye on Sunday's League Cup final against Chelsea. The Argentine has made seven changes to his side, with top scorer Harry Kane named on the bench just as he was in the first leg. Roberto Soldado leads the attack, while there are also starts for Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli, Benjamin Stambouli and Vlad Chiriches.

Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has recalled goalkeeper Neto in place of Ciprian Tatarusanu, while Joaquin and Mohamed Salah both in the side to support lone striker Mario Gomez. There's also a spot in defence for Micah Richards.

Before we go any further let's take a quick look at the two benches.

FIORENTINA: Lezzerini, Gonzalo, Aquilani, Pasqual, Babacar, Tomovic, Ilicic

SPURS: Vorm, Rose, Walker, Mason, Paulinho, Townsend, Kane



Fiorentina have to be considered favourites, thanks largely to that away goal. However, if Spurs start well and get an early goal, the momentum will quickly change in this tie. It will be intriguing to see how the hosts approach this game, and whether they are willing to risk too much early on.

You can understand Pochettino's decision to leave out a few regulars tonight, but it's still a strong side. He knows just how important it is to fans to claim silverware on Sunday, but with a Champions League spot on offer and the race for a place in the top four taking regular twists, will he regret not putting his eggs in the Europa League basket? Tottenham's season could look very different on Sunday evening.


Spurs haven't always enjoyed their visits to Italy. They've won just one of their six trips, and that came thanks to Peter Crouch's winner in the 1-0 triumph over AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League four years ago.

Here we go then. The players are out on the pitch at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. We're just a few moments away from kickoff.

KICKOFF: Fiorentina get the game underway!

Bright start from the visitors as Lamela carries the ball forward before being dispossessed on the edge of the box. The Argentine really needs to deliver the goods tonight.

The noise is incredible in the early stages. There's over 2,000 Spurs fans in the ground, but you can only hear the home supporters, who respond with loud jeers every time the visitors are in possession.

Badelj collects the ball in space 25 yards from goal, but his wayward effort is never troubling Lloris in the Spurs goal.

Fiorentina are dictating the tempo at the moment as they enjoy an extended spell of possession, but Spurs are responding well to limit the space on offer. It looks like the hosts fancy their chances of causing problems when Salah is facing Chiriches.

A Fiorentina corner is punched clear by Lloris, and Pizarro can only fire over the crossbar after collecting the loose ball on the edge of the box.

Much better from Spurs. They commit more men forward, and Eriksen tees up Lamela, whose volleyed effort forces Neto into the first save of the evening.

There's a few shouts for a penalty from the Spurs players when Eriksen is challenged by Savic, but the Dane has probably gone down slightly too easily.

Spurs have improved in the last few minutes, but this Fiorentina defence will be difficult to break down. Eriksen is starting to see more of the ball, which is good news for Pochettino's side.

Fazio misjudges a long ball forward from the hosts, but luckily for the centre back, Salah is caught in a n offside position. Joaquin then ends a promising move with a poor pass to bring groans from the home fans.

Superb work from Vertonghen. Gomez is clear of the Spurs defence, but his lack of pace invites pressure from the Belgian, who wins the ball back before earning a goal kick for his side.

It's not been the most open of starts to this game, and that probably suits Fiorentina in truth. The pressure is on Spurs to get onto the front foot, and although they're coping well in midfield, it's been difficult to find space further up the pitch.

Spurs are looking to get the ball out onto the left wing as often as possible. Chadli has looked dangerous when attacking Richards, while Savic has been caught out of position a couple of times already. Stambouli fires a speculative effort straight at a Fiorentina defender after Eriksen's corner is cleared to the edge of the box.

Chiriches gets forward on the right before delivering an inviting cross into the box to force Savic into a fine headed clearance. Spurs are beginning to apply more pressure on the home defence.

SUBSTITUTION: Bad news for the hosts. Fernandez has been down receiving treatment and he decides that he won't be able to continue. Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is his replacement.

Good goalkeeping from Neto. Fazio is allowed to come forward with the ball and he responds by chipping a pass to Soldado, but Neto is off his line quickly to collect. Soldado has barely been involved early on.

CHANCE! Soldado comes to life as he finds space beyond the Fiorentina defence to collect the ball, but his attempt to cross for Chadli is stopped by Neto, who makes another vital interception. What a chance for Spurs. They really should have opened the scoring.

It really shouldn't come as much of a surprise anymore, but Bentaleb is quietly having another excellent game in midfield for Spurs as he continues to break up play and start attacks from a deep position. He's quickly become a key man in this side.

Another promising move breaks down when Chadli is flagged offside, despite appearing to time his run perfectly. Spurs are improving as the game progresses, but Fiorentina look comfortable and have the potential to threaten on the break.

Excellent football from the visitors. Eriksen's chipped pass finds Lamela, who turns into some space before picking out Chiriches, but the Romanian's cross is cleared away by Basanta.

YELLOW CARD! Bentaleb drives forward from midfield and Badelj picks up a yellow card for bringing down the Algerian 30 yards from goal. Eriksen will take the free kick.

Eriksen's free kick hits the Fiorentina wall, and the hosts eventually manage to relieve the pressure with a free kick following a foul from Fazio.

Gomez has a shot blocked as Fiorentina get onto the front foot for a spell, but both sides have lacked that extra bit of quality in the final third so far.

SHOT! Badelj clips a lovely ball into the path of Salah, who finds himself in a promising position but can only fire over the crossbar.

The fourth official confirms there will be one minute added on.

HALF TIME: FIORENTINA 0-0 SPURS

It's Fiorentina who still hold the advantage at the halfway stage in the second leg. If it remains goalless, the hosts will go through on the away goals rule. A goal for Spurs would change everything, but neither side have found it easy to create chances in the first half. Spurs have dominated possession and looked comfortable. Can they make the breakthrough?

Pochettino will be pretty pleased with his side's first-half display, but he'll want to see them make better decisions in the final third of the pitch. Lamela, Chadli and Eriksen have looked dangerous when they are on the ball, and Spurs need to keep getting them involved. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for Kane to be introduced.

BENCH WATCH: As well as Kane, Spurs have plenty of other options. Andros Townsend's direct approach could cause more problems for this stubborn Fiorentina defence, and he played pretty well in the first leg last week. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Khouma Babacar replace Gomez at some stage for Fiorentina, who have already been forced into one change.


The players are back out for the second half. It will be Spurs who get the game back underway. No changes for either side at the break.

Joaquin comes forward with the ball to find space on the edge of the box, but he can only send a speculative effort over the crossbar.

Good play on the wing from Chadli as the Belgian skips a couple of challenges before firing in a low cross which Neto collects in a congested box. Spurs need to improve the quality of their final ball.

YELLOW CARD! Badelj is almost caught in possession, but Davies is slightly too aggressive with the challenge and he goes into the book.

CHANCE! The impressive Salah finds the space to deliver a cross which is deflected into the path of Badelj, whose effort is easily held by Lloris. Decent opportunity for the hosts.

GOAL! FIORENTINA 1-0 SPURS (GOMEZ)

Fiorentina break the deadlock as Spurs lose possession in a dangerous position to allow Gomez to sprint clear of Fazio before slotting the ball past Lloris. The hosts now lead 2-1 on aggregate. Not much changes for Spurs, who now need the away goal to force extra time.

Fazio has to accept full responsibility for the goal. He gifted possession to Gomez, and the German was always going to make the visitors pay. Spurs need to produce a swift response. Is it time for Mr Kane?

SUBSTITUTION: Basanta comes off for the hosts, with Gonzalo Rodriguez sent on as his replacement.

Fiorentina are growing in confidence, despite Spurs still seeing a lot of the ball. The hosts don't need to risk much at this stage of the tie, and they continue to look like a difficult side to break down.

SUBSTITUTION: Good goalkeeping from Lloris to deny Salah after the Egyptian had timed his run to sprint clear of the Spurs defence. Pochettino makes two changes as Townsend and Kane replace Bentaleb and Chadli.

It looks like Stambouli will be asked to keep Fiorentina out in midfield. Eriksen will play slightly deeper, but he'll be getting forward as often as possible. Badelj comes close to doubling the lead when he fires over after taking on Vertonghen.

There's a lot of space for Fiorentina to use on the break, but they're happy to frustrate Spurs, who are continuing to struggle with their final ball. You've got to give credit to the hosts.

GOAL! FIORENTINA 2-0 SPURS (SALAH)

It looks like Tottenham's European campaign is over for another season. Fiorentina double their advantage through Salah, who capitalises on a mistake from Vertonghen before hammering an emphatic finish past a helpless Lloris. The Egyptian then picks up a booking for taking his shirt off. Fiorentina are heading through.

Spurs are desperately looking for a way back into the tie, and they have a chance when Townsend wins a free kick 25 yards from goal. Walker then comes off the bench to replace Vertonghen, whose mistake has cost his side tonight.

Eriksen strikes the wall once again with a free kick before Soldado's effort is blocked on the edge of the box. It's not looking good for Spurs as we enter the latter stages of this match.

Kane thinks he has pulled a goal back for the visitors, but Davies was caught in an offside position before teeing up the striker. More disappointment for Spurs.

Fiorentina's game plan has been perfect. They've attacked at the right times, but every midfielder has done a good job of getting behind the ball to frustrate the visitors. Montella will be delighted with this performance.

SUBSTITUTION: Montella makes his final change of the evening as Joaquin, who has followed up his impressive performance in North London with another good game, makes way for Pasqual.

Unfortunately for Spurs, it's Fiorentina who are controlling the game in the closing stages and the frustration is clear for the visitors.

SAVE! Spurs send numbers forward once again as they look to set up a dramatic finish, but Neto responds impressively to make a fine save from Eriksen's effort. Soldado then flicks just wide from Townsend's inviting cross.

The fourth official confirms there will be three minutes added on.

Spurs can't build up any pressure in stoppage time and their challenge is fading. Fiorentina look comfortable and very, very impressive.

FULL TIME: FIORENTINA 2-0 SPURS

It's all over. Fiorentina have executed the perfect plan in both legs to progress with a 3-1 aggregate triumph, and Spurs really can't have any complaints. Pochettino's side dominated possession for long spells, but they just couldn't make the breakthrough and their European campaign is over for another season. Their hopes of claiming a Champions League spot through this competition also come to an end, and that piles the pressure on them in the league. Can they soften the blow with a win over Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday? Spurs fans will hope so.

That's all from our live coverage tonight. Thanks for joining me, but make sure you keep an eye out for reaction from both sides this evening. Goodnight!

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Roberto Soldado of Spurs celebrates as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match against Fiorentina on February 19, 2015
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