Robin Gosens’ first half header proved enough as Fiorentina edged Lazio 1-0 at the Stadio Franchi, lifting the Viola eight points clear of the relegation zone with a gritty, disciplined performance.
The German left wing back rose highest in the 28th minute, guiding Jack Harrison’s pinpoint cross into the turf and off the post past a helpless Edoardo Motta. It was not pretty. It did not need to be.
Three points. Clean sheet. Job done.
De Gea the difference
Let us be honest. Without David De Gea, this could have been a very different story.
The Spanish goalkeeper was called into action inside three minutes, producing a superb save to deny Mattia Zaccagni. Seven minutes later, he was at it again, keeping out Matteo Cancellieri’s effort.
Ten minutes from time, with Fiorentina clinging to their slender lead, De Gea was alert to tip over Petar Ratkow’s header. The man is not just a shot stopper. He is a security blanket.
Paolo Vanoli’s side have now kept five clean sheets in their last eight league games. De Gea has been central to that.
Harrison impresses again
The assist for Gosens’ goal was Harrison’s second in as many games. The former Leeds winger is finally finding consistency in purple. His delivery from the right was perfect, not too high, not too flat, just right for Gosens to attack.
He could have had a goal himself around the hour mark. His first shot was blocked. His second stab was saved. Motta, to his credit, reacted well.
Lazio’s blunt night
Maurizio Sarri’s side huffed and puffed but never really looked like blowing the house down.
They started brightly Zaccagni and Cancellieri both tested De Gea early but once Fiorentina scored, the energy seemed to drain out of them. The second half was flat. The final ball was lacking. And the chances that did come were speculative at best.
Sarri threw on Pedro, Isaksen and Ratkow in search of an equaliser. None of them could find it.
The bigger picture
This win lifts Fiorentina to 35 points, eight clear of the relegation spots. That is breathing room. That is survival territory.
Lazio, meanwhile, stay mid table. Comfortable but unspectacular. Nothing to play for except pride.
The bottom line
Fiorentina did what they had to do. Gosens scored. De Gea saved. Harrison created. Three points secured.
It was not a masterpiece. It was not vintage Viola. But at this stage of the season, no one cares about style.
Survival is the goal. And Vanoli’s side took another big step towards it.
