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Cicinho's goal proved enough to see off Fiorentina and take Roma within nine points of leaders Inter.
This was a mouth-watering fixture between second and fourth, but both teams were looking over their shoulders as Juventus and Milan pushed for their spots. Roma could rely on seven consecutive home victories, not conceding since the first game of December, and were buoyed by defeating Real Madrid 2-1 here midweek. Amantino Mancini was suspended, while the Viola had to do without Alessandro Potenza, Mario Santana and Giampaolo Pazzini. Fiorentina too impressed in Europe by getting past Rosenborg 3-1 on aggregate.
The Tuscans last conquered the capital on February 23, 1992 with a 3-1 result followed by four draws and eight defeats. Cesare Prandelli was briefly the Roma Coach in the summer of 2004, leaving before the season started to nurse his wife through an illness than tragically took her life in 2007.
Francesco Totti broke a new record, as with his 386th Serie A appearance he matched the career of Roma legend Giacomo Losi.
In the opening three minutes Fiorentina threatened an opener, as Alexandre Doni parried an Alessandro Gamberini header at the back post from point-blank range.
Adrian Mutu should have scored, but incredibly scuffed Franco Semioli's cutback with only the goalkeeper to beat. Mirko Vucinic also wasted a good opportunity with some wayward finishing.
Gamberini brilliantly stopped Totti in his tracks, then Sebastien Frey flew to palm a Cicinho screamer out from under the crossbar.
Mutu sprung the offside trap to go clear on goal, but Doni got back to take the ball off his foot. The incident was not a foul, but Mutu may have caught his studs in the turf and sprained his left knee, making way for January signing Ndiaye Papa Waigo.
Christian Vieri held off Matteo Ferrari to test Doni from distance, while after the break Frey did well to deny Vucinic.
Roma eventually broke through in curious fashion after 54 minutes. Vucinic deserved much of the credit, as he dribbled into the area and his shot was deflected into the path of Cicinho from six yards. However, there were questions over Totti's offside position.
Fiorentina fought back immediately, a Kuzmanovic screamer from 20 metres clattering against the crossbar.
Frey kept the Viola in it with a great save on Totti, who had sprung the offside trap, then at the other end Ferrari's mistake almost handed the Tuscans an equaliser.
Ludovic Giuly, Papa Waigo and Totti tried their luck from distance. Goalscorer Cicinho saw red in stoppages for a second bookable offence.
Fiorentina tried to take advantage with Gamberini's header off target.
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