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Fiorentina dominated this match, but it took two late goals to give them a deserved three points against local rivals Livorno.
The tension was high in this local derby that was also a clash for UEFA Cup spots. The Amaranto hoped to maintain the momentum of the 1-1 draw with Roma, in part prompted by Daniele Arrigoni's firing and re-hiring, while the Viola were still fuming after their 3-1 defeat at Inter. Adrian Mutu and Tomas Ujfalusi returned from suspension, but Riccardo Montolivo, Marco Donadel, Antonio Filippini, Marco Amelia and Dario Knezevic were ruled out.
Livorno's last Serie A win here was 2-1 in December 1937 and Fiorentina had a great chance to open the scoring on 12 minutes when Luca Toni flicked Mutu's cross with the outside of his right foot as it flashed across the face of goal.
Moments later another excellent Toni effort proved dangerous, spinning around to shoot from point-blank range, Emanuele Manitta saving with his feet and Mutu unable to turn in the loose ball.
Manitta did well to parry a Toni left-foot strike and Mutu's diving header from a Martin Jorgensen cross was off target.
However, it was Livorno who took the lead against the run of play with a fantastic Cristiano Lucarelli solo effort. He picked up the ball with his back to goal, spun round Alessandro Gamberini, past another two defenders and nutmegged the goalkeeper.
Fabio Galante caused controversy this week for his clash with Francesco Totti and this time he exchanged shoves and harsh words with Toni, the Viola man booked for his late challenge.
Cesare Prandelli's men continued to dominate the game, but Toni failed to get his header on target after Manitta had flapped at thin air on a Fabio Liverani corner kick.
Frey punched away a Giovanni Pasquale snapshot from distance just before half-time.
Liverani made way for striker Giampaolo Pazzini in the second period, but Mutu ballooned over from close range and then drilled an angled drive wide, as Manitta continued to remain under siege despite Livorno leading 1-0.
Fiorentina finally found a way past the Amaranto dam on 68 minutes. Manitta parried a Mutu snapshot, but could do nothing on Toni's follow-up from nine yards.
Toni chested down the ball and fired wide, then Jorgensen flashed across the face of goal.
All that pressure had to pay off eventually and eight minutes from time Jorgensen scored at the third attempt. Toni held up Ujfalusi's cross for the Dane's precise volley.
Frey did very well to flap away Per Kroldrup's clumsy challenge on Lucarelli that was turning into an own goal.
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