Juventus and Fiorentina play out high-tension draw (2nd Roundup)

By Alberto Cagliano Aug 31, 2008, 20:45 GMT

Milan - Fiorentina managed a late 1-1 draw with guests Sunday in a late game closing the Serie A first round of games.

Juve were without French striker David Trezeguet, midfielder Cristiano Zanetti and Giorgio Chiellini in defence, but played a good first half closing it one up through a goal from their Czech veteran Pavel Nedved.

Fiorentina's equalizing efforts were rewarded with one minute left as Alberto Gilardino stunned Gianluigi Buffon from inside the area with his side one man down.

The Turin guests' goal tally could have been bigger as French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey blocked a break from Brazil striker Amauri off a deep feed from Dane Christian Poulsen on eight minutes, and on 35 minutes from captain Alessandro Del Piero's shot.

A further attack on 39 minutes allowed Nedved to lay in an assist that his Czech compatriot Zdenek Grygera centred from the right.

As Fiorentina kept dithering in their attack schemes, Amauri nodded wide a Mauro Camoranesi cross and Del Piero missed when he came face to face with Frey on 45 minutes.

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli tried to increase pressure, bringing on young Serbian Stevan Jovetic, who on the hour provided a good cross for Gilardino's feeble header and tried a couple of unsuccessful shots from the distance.

Striker Riccardo Pazzini also came on to keep up the hosts' hammering pressing that on 71 minutes yielded a chance squandered by Gilardino from close range.

Gila was pressed by Nicola Legrottaglie when he fired wide again on 82 minutes, but Fiorentina's efforts seemed to lose steam with seven minutes to go as Brazilian Felipe Melo was sent off for a harsh tackle on Poulsen.

The former AC Milan striker was deadly on 89 minutes as he had the best of Olof Mellberg and levelled before Amauri forced a last difficult save.

In earlier Sunday action, AC Milan crashed to a 2-1 home defeat against promoted Bologna and Roma drew 1-1 with 10-man guests Napoli. Champions Inter Milan also drew 1-1 Saturday away to Sampdoria.

In other Sunday action, Torino secured a 3-0 win over promoted Lecce, and Lazio came from behind to snatch a 4-1 win at 10-man Cagliari. Lazio's Argentinian Mauro Zarate scored a brace, while Uruguay's Diego Lopez was dismissed on the hour.

Promoted Chievo also rallied to beat Reggina 2-1, Atalanta won 1-0 over newcomers Siena and Catania edged Genoa 1-0.