Fiorentina picked up a creditable 1-1 draw against Greek side AEK Athens in a promising clash that fizzled out in the second half.

The Viola faced their 100th game in European competition without their Coach Cesare Prandelli, who is mourning the loss of his wife Manuela.

Assistant Gabriele Pin took charge and stuck to Prandelli’s line-up with starlet Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and veteran Christian Vieri up front.

The Tuscans were looking to carry on from their 6-1 demolition of Elfsborg and knew that a win would see them through to the next round.

In a flurry of early activity, AEK striker Julio Cesar’s effort from the edge of the area whistled past Sebastien Frey’s post as the French goalkeeper stood rooted to the spot.

Fiorentina responded immediately when Martin Jorgensen whipped over a cross for Vieri, but the former Inter hero headed over.

Just as the tempo seemed to be dropping, the Italians went in front. Vieri threaded a ball into the box and Osavldo beat Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Moretto, who should have done much better.

However, just five minutes later it was 1-1. Julio Cesar hit a low drive, which deflected cruelly off Federico Balzaretti and looped past a stranded Frey.

Julio Cesar continued to look dangerous, but young midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic nearly restored the Gigliati’s lead when he let fly from 25 metres with an effort that was excellently stopped by a diving Moretto.

Just before the break, the Viola thought they had taken the lead with a superb breakaway attack. Osavldo burst clear and found Manuel Pasqual in the box . Pasqual laid the ball on to Vieri to stroke home, but the No 32 was narrowly offside.

Kuzmanovic had the final word of the first half with another rasping effort that was tipped for a corner by Moretto.

Fiorentina made a fast start to the second period as Osvaldo went through on goal, but his shot was weak and a relieved Moretto was able to save.

The visitors were starting to dominate as Vieri lofted a beautiful ball to Osvaldo, but his acrobatic attempt was wide of the mark.

Osvaldo did make contact from a ball minutes later, but Moretto made a superb reaction save and then stopped again from the rebound.

AEK responded as the inspirational Julio Cesar crossed for Argentine Ismael Blanco to get ahead of Per Kroldrup, but he headed over.

Canadian star Tamandani Nsaliwa was centimetres away from the target just after the hour mark with a fierce effort from just outside the box.

Errors started to creep in on both sides and any sense of urgency was lost as the ball became embedded in the midfield.

With tiredness taking a heavy toll, Pin introduced Giampaolo Pazzini for Vieri and Massimo Gobbi for Zdravko Kuzmanovic, but it was too late to make any difference in a game destined to end 1-1.

Fiorentina take a positive result home to Prandelli and they remain top of Group C as Villarreal didn't play.

AEK Athens: Moretto; Silva, Dellas, Papastathopoulos, Arruabarrena; Manu, Nsaliwa (Kafes 72), Tozser, Kone (Manduca 56); Blanco, Julio Cesar (Pappas 82)

Fiorentina: Frey; Kroldrup, Balzaretti, Dainelli, Pasqual; Liverani, Montolivo, Kuzmanovic (Gobbi 82), Jorgensen; Osvaldo, Vieri (Pazzini 85)

Ref: Thomson (Sco)