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Adrian Mutu's late penalty earned 10-man Fiorentina an epic 2-2 draw with leaders Roma, but Sebastien Frey was Man of the Match.
The two sides famed for their entertaining play were in good form going into this clash, the Viola fresh from victory away to Catania and joint second place, while the Capitolini lost their 100 per cent record in a 2-2 with Juventus at the weekend. Luciano Spalletti had to do without the injured Francesco Totti, Simone Perrotta, Marco Cassetti and Marco Andreolli, resting several more members of the squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Inter.
This would be a stern test of Roma's Scudetto credentials and just how high Fiorentina can aim this season, especially as the Tuscans had not won this fixture since April 2001, managing just three draws and a defeat.
Former Lazio man Fabio Liverani's error turned into an assist for Amantino Mancini to drill over, while Adrian Mutu's header was off target. Tomas Ujfalusi went on a solo run up the field and smashed his shot across the face of goal.
Mirko Vucinic had a goal correctly disallowed for offside as he ran on to Ludovic Giuly's through ball. Roma took the lead with a spectacular jewel from Mancini. He gathered on the edge of the area from Cicinho and dummied a cross, but in fact chipped the stunned Sebastien Frey.
The lead lasted just five minutes before Alessandro Gamberini volleyed in a corner kick, but Roma shot-stopper Alexander Doni made a horrible mistake as he flapped wildly at the cross.
Frey denied both Daniele De Rossi and Vucinic in quick succession, then Max Tonetto's desperate tackle cut off Giampaolo Pazzini, the ball fell to Mutu and Cicinho dived in with the challenge. From the resulting corner, Mutu was left totally unmarked only to volley inches wide of the near post.
Another corner kick caused problems, as Doni was at full stretch to prod a Mutu downward header off the line. Roma were forced into a subsitution, as Rodrigo Taddei picked up an injury and made way for Alberto Aquilani.
Yet the Giallorossi scored against the run of play with the new arrival contributing. Aquilani's dummy on a Vucinic rolled pass left former Barcelona star Giuly clear for a strong low drive.
Marco Donadel was booked for going through the back of Aquilani, but the Roma man was able to continue.
Frey saved a diving Aquilani header on Cicinho's cross and Gamberini's tackle managed to close down Vucinic's attacking move from nine yards.
There was chaos on 73 minutes, as Frey flapped Vucinic's effort off the line, then the De Rossi follow-up smacked the woodwork from close range. David Pizarro then tested Frey with a spectacular 20-metre rocket that swerved viciously off the outside of his right foot.
Christian Vieri came on and quickly earned a penalty for Matteo Ferrari's clumsy tackle. Mutu took the kick and cheekily chipped Doni to make it 2-2 at the Stadio Franchi.
Frey was Man of the Match, performing another tough save to beat away Vucinic's solo effort. Both sides were pushing for victory, but Fiorentina ended the game with 10 men as Donadel picked up his second booking.
Frey flew to push De Rossi's free kick round the post and ensure a share of the spoils for the Viola.
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