Alberto Gilardino was on target for the third time this week to give Fiorentina their first victory.

The Viola needed a confidence-boosting result after picking up one point from their opening two Serie A games and dropping a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 away to Lyon midweek. Bologna's last win at the Franchi was in 1989 and, after stunning Milan at San Siro, hoped to take another prestigious scalp. Adrian Mutu and Riccardo Montolivo were rested in favour of Stevan Jovetic and Zdravko Kuzmanov, while Alessandro Gamberini returned early from a dislocated shoulder he sustained on international duty.

Due to the intense rivalry between these clubs and the fear of crowd trouble, only season ticket holders were allowed into the match.

Jovetic struck the side-netting with an angled drive in the first minute, but it was on eight minutes that the Viola felt they really should've scored. A Mario Alberto Santana free header cracked against the bar and then Kuzmanovic incredibly ballooned the follow-up over. The whole move had been started by a smart Jovetic backheel.

Bologna were unlucky when they thumped the woodwork, as a Sergio Volpi free kick from the left flank went past everyone and ended its journey against the far post.

Valiani couldn't quite get on the end of a Massimo Marazzina cross when all he had to do was make contact to tap it in.

Alberto Gilardino gave Fiorentina the lead before half-time, as he peeled off his marker at the back post for a cushioned header on Santana's cross.

In the second period Gilardino went close to another with his diving header turning Massimo Gobbi's cross off target.

At the other end, Sebastien Frey flew to palm away a Martins Adailton strike from close range, then Marco Di Vaio scuffed his finish.

Bologna should've done so much better on the counter, but Volpi finished the move with a weak shot straight at Frey. Santana had penalty appeals waved away for a Davide Bombardini intervention.

Francesco Antonioli smothered long-range attempts from Jovetic and Marco Donadel. Jovetic rose for a twisting header on Santana's cross and brought a fingertip save out of the veteran Bologna goalkeeper.

A Kuzmanovic right-foot rocket from 20 metres ricocheted off the base of the post.