Venezia 1-0 Fiorentina: Aramu and Romero decisive
Venezia sealed their first home win this season, beating Fiorentina 1-0 at the Stadio Penzo.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero made his Venezia debut after completing a free transfer during the break.
The Argentinean played his first Serie A game in seven years.
However, all eyes were on Fiorentina star striker Dusan Vlahovic who took to the pitch for the first time since President Rocco Commisso announced the striker would not extend his contract which expires in June 2023.
Jack Bonaventura had the first chance of the game, but Romero tipped his shot over the bar.
Mattia Aramu was ruled offside after a right-footed attempt at the far post, but both the 26-year-old and Thomas Henry were on side when Venezia scored the opener and the eventual winner.
Henry burst in and once in front of Terracciano, he sent Aramu clear with the winger who had the easy task of putting the ball inside an empty net.
Fiorentina’s reaction was weak. Vlahovic didn’t get much service and failed to hold the ball consistently.
Alfred Duncan tried to find the net with a long-range shot in the second half before Romero saved a Riccardo Sottil header.
A few minutes later, the Viola winger collected his second yellow card of the evening for a reckless tackle on David Okereke inside Venezia’s own half.
However, the Tuscans created more opportunities when down to ten men.
Okereke then had a chance to score on the counter but his shot was easily saved by Terracciano.
The Fiorentina goalkeeper saw a straight red card a few minutes later for a desperate foul on Aramu outside Fiorentina’s box.
However, the Venezia winger had been ruled offside by the lineman and a VAR check confirmed it, so the red card was rescinded.
Vlahovic’s only shot of the game arrived in stoppage time and was wide of the far post. Romero also showed cat-like reflexes to deny a Cristiano Biraghi header at the near post.
This is Venezia’s first home victory in Serie A in 7,190 days, so 19 years and eight months.
Their last win at home was dated back to February 10, 2002, a 2-0 victory against Fiorentina with goals from Federico Magallanes and Filippo Maniero.
The Lagunari climb to 15th place with eight points in eight games while La Viola sit ninth along with Bologna with 12 points.