Fiorentina 1 - 1 Sampdoria: Fiorentina pegged back as Montella's Sampdoria earn point

Posted Sunday, April 03, 2016 by PA

Sampdoria boss Vincenzo Montella earned a point on his return to Fiorentina as his side hit back to claim a 1-1 draw.

Goals from Josip Ilicic and Ricky Alvarez ensured the spoils were shared in Tuscany, with the dropped points doing more harm to Champions League-chasing Fiorentina.

Samp, who survived losing Joaquin Correa to a late red card, can take comfort from edging away from the drop zone as the Serie A season enters its home stretch.

In an end-to-end opening Marcos Alonso and Fabio Quagliarella exchanged efforts on goal to get the Stadio Artemio Franchi crowd on their feet.

And the home fans were jumping for joy in the 24th minute as Ilicic controlled Borja Valero's pass before flicking the ball past Emiliano Viviano and in at the far post.

Fiorentina almost doubled their lead when Ilicic whipped another Valero pass just wide of the mark, but Samp struck next.

With five minutes to go before the break former Sunderland midfielder Alvarez opened his account for the Blucerchiati by beating Ciprian Tatarusanu with his left foot from distance.

The opportunities kept flowing following the restart. Viviano flew across his line to keep out Ilicic before, at the other end, Roberto Soriano had the ball taken off his feet by Davide Astori.

Samp were reduced to 10 men when Correa saw red for a second bookable offence - a foul on Ilicic - in the 71st minute, and they nearly paid for it when the Slovenian came knocking moments later.