Fiorentina have been held to a goalless draw by Torino away from home in Serie A, a result that hinders their aspirations of Champions League qualification.

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La Viola posed a threat to the hosts in wide areas during the first half with Joaquin and Borja Valero, and it was the latter who came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half.

After beating Nikola Maksimovic, Valero tried to place the ball beyond keeper Daniele Padelli, only to see his effort roll past the right post.

Moments earlier Joaquin had tormented the Torino defence down the right flank before lifting the ball to Facundo Roncaglia at the back post, but the midfielder had failed to keep his shot down.

Just after the half-hour mark, Fiorentina ought to have taken the lead when a corner fell to the Spanish winger at the back post, but his effort flew back across the face of goal without testing Padelli.

Il Toro's only real chance of the first half fell to ex-Viola striker Alessio Cerci, whose shot across goal needed to be tipped around by Norberto Neto.

However, the hosts appeared to play with greater adventure after the break as Paulo Baretto forced a scrambling save from the Fiorentina keeper with the home crowd in the Olimpico di Torino becoming more vocal.

La Viola continued to enjoy their best attacking play in wide areas and Valero's goal-bound effort needed to be blocked by the retreating home defence with 20 minutes remaining.

Torino tried to snatch a late winner when Cerci fed Riccardo Meggiorni, but his effort from close range drifted wide of Neto's goal

In the end, both sides settled for a draw, which does little for Fiorentina's Champions League ambitions with Napoli two points ahead in third.

Torino, now unbeaten in their last six home games, find themselves five points behind sixth-placed Inter Milan in Serie A.