Nine-man Roma hangs on for a point in chaotic clash
Jose Mourinho's Roma clung on to secure a point and fourth spot in Serie A despite being reduced to nine men in a chaotic 1-1 draw against Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico.
Romelu Lukaku put the hosts ahead with a stooping early header from Paulo Dybala's crafty cross, but neither player would finish the match for different reasons.
Dybala was substitued after appearing to injure his left hamstring in a tackle before the first half was over, while Lukaku was dismissed for an horrific studs-up challenge that ripped through the sock of Christian Kouame but thankfully did no lasting damage to the visiting player.
Fiorentina had equalised by that point, Lucas Quarta sending a powerful header past Rui Patricio in the Roma goal on 64 minutes. That came from the Violas' first attack after Nicola Zalewski became the first Roma player to be sent off for a second yellow card.
But Fiorentina failed to make the most of its numerical advantage, choosing to try and break Roma through the middle rather than out wide, despite Mourinho compacting his men to fend off the attacks against his weakened side.
By the end of the match, the visitors had fired off 14 attempts to Roma's paltry four, but couldn't find a way past Patricio with the eight that were on target.
There was to be a third red card issued before the lights went out, this one to Nikola Milenkovic on Fiorentina's bench, as the match ended in ill-tempered fashion as Violas boss Vincenzo Italiano remonstrated with Roma players as Mourinho was held back from joining what looked like robust discussions.
Fiorentina sits in seventh on the Serie A table having missed the chance to take fourth with a win. But while Roma holds on to that lofty position, staying there could prove to be a challenge with suspensions ahead and another possibly lengthy absence for Dybala.
