Fiorentina's hopes of catching third-placed Napoli in Serie A took a blow this evening as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Lazio.
The visitors got the only goal of the game after just five minutes as Lorik Cana fired home from a corner kick, blasting his effort inside the right post.
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They almost doubled their lead within a minute too as Antonio Candreva came forward with the ball and drilled an effort towards the bottom corner that the keeper did well to save.
Alessandro Matri was the first to have a clear chance for the hosts as he nodded an effort towards goal, but he was denied by a fine defensive block.
The hosts came close again six minutes before the break as Gonzalo Rodriguez planted a firm header narrowly wide of the target.
Lazio came within inches of adding a second just before half time as Abdoulay Konko collected the ball inside the box before going for goal, but he could only hit the woodwork.
The visitors had another sight of goal with just 15 minutes left as Ogenyi Onazi found space to shoot inside the box, only to fire his effort straight at the keeper.
Fiorentina threatened for an equaliser in the closing stages as Alberto Aquilani rose highest in the area, but he was denied by a superb stop from the keeper.
The hosts could not find the all-important equalising goal, however, as Lazio held out for the victory to claim all three points.
Barney Corkhill
