Fiorentina 2 : 1 Udinese - Jovetic gets Viola off to flying start

Posted Saturday, August 25, 2012 by PA

Two goals from Stevan Jovetic gave Fiorentina a 2-1 win at the expense of a weakened Udinese side, who appeared to be more focused on their Champions League qualifier next week than this Serie A opener.

Maicosuel did put the away side in front after 28 minutes, but the home side responded well in the second half with the Montenegrin grabbing a brace, the second coming with almost the last kick of the game.

The result gives Vincenzo Montella an ideal start to life in charge of Fiorentina while Udinese will now aim for a better outcome in Europe on Tuesday.

Visiting coach Francesco Guidolin rested six players, including Antonio Di Natale, in view of Tuesday's Champions League play-off second leg against Braga while his opposite number Montella had no such concerns and was able to name his strongest starting XI.

This included Jovetic, who missed much of last season due to injury, and Adam Ljajic, back in favour again after falling out with Montella's predecessor Delio Rossi.

And Ljajic it was who caused the early danger with a free-kick saved by Zeljko Brkic and another effort saved by Udinese's Serbian custodian in the 24th minute.

Udinese took the lead with their first major attack in the 28th minute with Muriel sending Maicosuel through and the Brazilian kept his cool to slot his shot low past Emiliano Viviano and in off the inside of the post.

Brkic was kept busy by Fiorentina's attackers, but he kept them out to defend Udinese's lead to the break.

He was busy in the second half too, thwarting Ljajic twice before finally being forced to fish the ball out of the back of his own net in the 67th minute.

His own defender Danilo got in the way of Jovetic's shot which subsequently looped over Brkic and into the net.

Fiorentina substitute Mounir El Hamdaoui wasted the next good chance and it looked like Udinese were going to come away with a point, but Jovetic had other ideas as he grabbed a winner in stoppage time.

He was given too much time by Thomas Hertaux to set up and deliver a low shot into the far corner of the net.