Soccer
Fiorentina and AS Roma share spoils
By Alberto Cagliano
Apr 2, 2006, 18:57 GMT

Milan - Fiorentina and AS Roma Sunday played out a spectacular 1-1 draw in the Serie A that kept the Florence side one point ahead in the race for the fourth available Champions League berth.

With six games left, the race for the title Saturday saw holders Juve stretch their lead over AC Milan to nine points. Milan were stunned 1-0 at second-last Lecce while Juve failed to shine in a scoreless draw at bottom side Treviso.

Third-place Inter Milan are now two points behind Milan after a 3-0 crushing of struggling Messina.

At the brimming Artemio Franchi in Florence, Serie A top striker Luca Toni put the hosts one up in the first minute when the Roma defence left him alone in the area allowing him to ruthlessly fire home to notch his 26th goal in 32 games.

The international is now set to become Fiorentina's all-time best scorer as he drew level with 1960s striker Kurt Hamrin and with Gabriel Batistuta, who played with the Purples three decades later.

The remainder of the game, however, was no downhill ride for the Florence side as Roma took control of the midfield and came close in the first 10 minutes through Simone Perrotta and Didier Dacourt.

Perrotta missed a lob on eight minutes after rushing past Romania's keeper Bogdan Lobont, while his French midfield mate fired narrowly wide from the distance two minutes later.

The young Aleandro Rosi also fired wide for Roma from an angled position and Lobont on 36 minutes had to save a header from the inspired Perrotta.

After Brazilian Taddei sent in a feeble shot on 46 minutes, Roma clinched a fully deserved equaliser through a Leandro Cufre header, who topped a hammering attack on 72 minutes.

'Things got complicated for us at the start,' said Roma coach Luciano Spalletti. 'The early goal made the game difficult. But it added to the worth of my team, and we should also consider the first heat of the season.'

Sixth-place Chievo Verona beat visitors Livorno 2-1 and look to securing one of three UEFA Cup berths as they lead Lazio by two points, who drew 3-3 draw with lowly guests Empoli.

Palermo played with 10 men through most of the second half and drew 1-1 to in-form newcomers Ascoli, but remain safely at mid-table next to Livorno.

Udinese only in part improved their worrisome standing by beating Parma 2-0 and remain four points above the relegation zone along with Cagliari. Reggina and Siena played out a 1-1 draw that also sealed the tie between Sampdoria and Cagliari.