Fiorentina turn over Pescara

Pescara were leading for much of the game, but a Cristian Tello brace turned it around for Fiorentina’s stoppage-time victory.

This Week 19 match was originally snowed off at the Stadio Adriatico on January 8.

The Viola were chasing points for Europe, but Federico Bernardeschi and Davide Astori were suspended with Ciprian Tatarusanu, Gonzalo Rodriguez and Nikola Kalinic injured. The Delfini were yet to win a game on the pitch this season, handed three points because Sassuolo fielded an ineligible player. Alberto Gilardino, Cesare Bovo, Hugo Campagnaro, Michele Fornasier, Andrea Coda and Sulley Muntari were unavailable, but Gianluca Caprari returned from his ban.

Cristian Tello’s angled drive flashed just wide, but it was Pescara who took the lead when the offside trap failed and Cristiano Biraghi rolled across from the left for Caprari to prod past the on-rushing Marco Sportiello.

Nikola Tomovic performed a crucial and clean sliding tackle on Ledjan Memushaj inside the sixyard box to prevent a second. Fiorentina found their usual passing game create very few genuinely dangerous situations for Pescara. It was the first time the Delfini had been leading at half-time since the opening round against Napoli.

After the restart Federico Chiesa came off the bench and immediately blasted just over the bar, but Milan Badelj was booked for tripping Jean-Christophe Bahebeck after a delightful back-heel flick turn.

Fiorentina had the ball in the net on 54 minutes, as Josip Ilicic’s free kick thumped the upright and Khouma Babacar turned in the rebound, but the striker was offside.

The visitors finally equalised with a moment of magic from Tello, who from the edge of the box curled a wonderful finish into the far top corner.

Fiorentina started to dominate and Pescara clung on, as Matias Vecino’s shot was charged down and Ilicic went close with a couple of solo efforts.

The hosts focused only on the counter, but Grigoris Kastanos still managed to scare Marco Sportiello with a long-range strike.

Just as it seemed to be ending in a stalemate, Tello’s cross from the left went past everyone to slot into the far bottom corner, as Chiesa was there, but didn’t get the touch.

Yesterday Pescara-Fiorentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Coppa Italia Yesterday AS Roma-Cesena ............................. 2-1

SPAIN

Copa del Rey Yesterday Atl. Madrid-Barcelona ..................... 1-2

SCOTLAND

Premier Yesterday Celtic-Aberdeen .............................. 1-0 Hearts-Rangers ................................ 4-1 Partick-St Johnstone ........................ 0-1