Roma breaks streak of four draws with victory over Fiorentina

Mattia Destro came off the bench and scored the winner in his first appearance of the season as unbeaten Roma ended a streak of four draws with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in Serie A.

The win moved Roma back within three points of Italian league leader Juventus, which beat Bologna 2-0 Friday.

''We're following our own road and we're never going to stop fighting,'' Destro said. ''We realize we're a great squad.''

Gervinho set up right back Maicon to put Roma ahead seven minutes in at the Stadio Olimpico. Juan Vargas equalized for Fiorentina in the 29th minute.

Ambrosini: Milan don’t miss me

Massimo Ambrosini doesn’t think Milan have any regrets about letting him go at the end of his contract in the summer.

The midfielder, after almost 20 years with the Diavolo, was shown the door and opted for a new adventure with Fiorentina.

“I don’t think they miss me,” the 36-year-old told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “Nigel De Jong is always the best on the pitch, with Ricardo Montolivo or Sulley Muntari.

Conte: 'Juve past doesn't count'

Antonio Conte warned Juventus “the past no longer counts” as they have to get back on track against Genoa.

The Bianconeri are coming off two consecutive defeats against Fiorentina and Real Madrid, so the pressure is on ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Serie A encounter. Click here for a match preview.

“It will be difficult to win a third consecutive Scudetto and everyone at Juventus must work hard,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

Tevez calls for Juve to regroup

Champions Juventus are expected to return to Serie A with fire back in the belly after a brace from Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo virtually extinguished their Champions League hopes.

Juve host Genoa on Sunday with the pain of Wednesday's Cristinao Ronaldo-inspired 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid still fresh in their minds.

However Antonio Conte's men won't have time to ponder too long, with Roma five points ahead of both Juve and second-placed Napoli, and the capital club looking to make it nine wins from nine on their visit to Udinese.

Juventus battled to the quarter-final stages of the competition last season before being dumped from the tournament by eventual champions Bayern Munich.

Conte bemused by Juventus capitulation

Juventus coach Antonio Conte was left gutted by his team's self-destruction as they let a two-goal lead slip to lose 4-2 at Fiorentina.

The Serie A champions went into Sunday's match unbeaten against Fiorentina at Stadio Artemio Franchi since 1998 and that run looked like it would continue as they went into half-time two goals up.

  

Carlos Tevez opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Paul Pogba pounced on a Juan Cuadrado error, but it was a completely different story after the break, with Giuseppe Rossi's own spot-kick sparking the comeback.

  

Giuseppe Rossi nets hat trick as Fiorentina stun Juve; more Serie A

Giuseppe Rossi scored a hat trick Sunday as Fiorentina came back from two goals down to stun two-time defending champion and fierce rival Juventus 4-2 in Serie A.

Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba gave Juventus a 2-0 halftime lead but Rossi struck back with goals in the 65th, 76th and 80th and Spanish forward Joaquin added his first Serie A strike in the 78th.

''It's difficult to score against Juve and even more diffiult to score four times,'' Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella said. ''Coming against a historic rival, this was a marvelous and splendid Sunday.''

Vidal to miss Fiorentina?

Arturo Vidal arrived late back from international duty this week, and could miss Juventus’ game against Fiorentina as a result.

The Chile international was delayed coming back from Santiago following their World Cup qualifier with Ecuador on Tuesday.

El Shaarawy: Balotelli's temper is penalising Milan

The Italian admits his side are often made to suffer from his compatriot's outbursts but insists they can surpass last season's third-placed finish despite their poor start.

Stephan El Shaarawy has urged Mario Balotelli to curb his temper or risk damaging AC Milan's chances this season.

The striker was issued a three-match ban after he angrily confronted officials following the Rossoneri's 2-1 defeat to Napoli, forcing him to sit out Tuesday's 3-3 draw with Bologna as well as forthcoming games against Sampdoria and Juventus.

'We played some fine football' – Montella

The Fiorentina boss was thrilled with his side's second-half showing against Pacos de Ferreira, but insists it is too early to think about reaching the Europa League final

Vincenzo Montella was delighted with Fiorentina's improved second-half display in their 3-0 win over Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday.

Goals from Gonzalo Rodriguez, Ryder Matos and Giuseppe Rossi saw la Viola begin their Europa League campaign in perfect fashion, and Montella believes his side began to hit their stride after the break in Portugal.

Lazio make light work of Chievo, Fiorentina held

SS Lazio swept aside AC Chievo Verona 3-0 to record their second win of the season after ten-man ACF Fiorentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Cagliari Calcio.

Defeated 4-1 by Juventus last time out, Vladimir Petković's charges made the perfect start in their bid to make amends when Antonio Candreva scored after eight minutes. Luis Cavanda doubled the home team's lead seven minutes before the interval and defender Senad Lulić added the final flourish.

Talk Intensifying Of Fiorentina Move For Former Liverpool Midfielder

According to reports in Spain the possibility of Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso joining Serie A side Fiorentina is gathering pace with the former Liverpool man still to agree a contract extension with the Spanish club.

The 31-year-old had been a key component of the side since joining in 2009, however, with his contract expiring at the end of the season and it unknown whether he has a major part to play under incoming coach Carlo Ancelotti speculation intensifies.

According to Mundo Deportivo the two parties still remain some distance apart during negotiations for a contract extension and are reporting that Viola technical director Eduardo Macia has now been discussing a potential move to the Florence based club with his agent.

Fiorentina Target Set To Secure Cardiff City Move

French midfielder Etienne Capoue, who has been a target throughout the summer for Fiorentina, is all set to put pen to paper on a deal with Premier League new boys Cardiff City.

Vincenzo Montella’s men have been very keen on strengthening an already formidable midfield that includes the likes of Borja Valero and Alberto Aquilani.

However, Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay told the BBC today that his side have now agreed a transfer for the 25-year-old, saying: “Cardiff and Toulouse have now reached an agreement I can confirm.

Toni tells Fiorentina team-mate Jovetic: Join a 'real top club', not Arsenal

The Montenegro international expressed his delight at the Gunners' rumoured interest on Tuesday but has been told by his Viola colleague to wait for a better opportunity

Fiorentina striker Luca Toni has called for team-mate Stevan Jovetic to ignore interest from Arsenal and join a bigger club if he is to move to the Premier League over the summer.

The Montenegro international forward admitted he was flattered to be linked with a switch to the north London club on Tuesday but Toni believes Arsene Wenger's side would not be a step up.

Instead, he has claimed the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City or Manchester United would represent a better career move for the 23-year-old.

"I tell him to think carefully before leaving Florence, as there is an important project here," the Italian told Sky Sports.

"If he has to leave, then make it for a real top club. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United fit that bill, but Arsenal are not better than Fiorentina."

Jovetic has been in superb form for Fiorentina this season, netting 12 goals in 24 Serie A appearances to fire the Viola into contention for Champions League qualification.