Chievo 2-1 Fiorentina

Chievo took full advantage of a jaded Fiorentina side to claim their second successive win in Serie A.

The Viola took an early lead at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi through Riccardo Montolivo, but it soon became apparent they had failed to recover from their midweek Champions League exertions in time.

Chievo hit back almost immediately with goals from Giampiero Pinzi and Gennaro Sardo, with Fiorentina unable to find the energy levels needed to get anything from the match.

The win sees Chievo move above their opponents in the standings, with the pair in a group of seven clubs locked on 24 points.

Fiorentina travelled to Verona in jubilant mood, having finished top of Champions League Group E thanks to a 2-1 victory at Liverpool.

Goalkeeper Sebastien Frey suffered a calf injury during that match which ruled him out of the Chievo clash, but his absence was not expected to dent a Fiorentina side who had won their previous eight league meetings against Chievo.

However, Cesare Prandelli's men were almost given a rude awakening after three minutes in Verona when a cross-shot from Sergio Pellissier smashed the crossbar.

The visitors heeded the warning and just two minutes later they were in front thanks to Montolivo, who fired an angled shot beyond the reach of home keeper Stefano Sorrentino.

Playing catch-up, Chievo instantly picked up the pace and the equaliser arrived seven minutes later from Pinzi, who tapped in a low cross from Elvis Abbruscato following a swift counter-attack.

And Fiorentina's promising start was all but forgotten after 23 minutes when the Flying Donkeys grabbed their second goal.

A free-kick from Luciano caught the Viola defenders napping, allowing Sardo to rise above everyone and head home at the far post.

Fiorentina tried to get themselves back on level terms and a spell of pressure towards the end of the first half almost paid off, but although Alberto Gilardino managed to lob Montolivo's cross over Sorrentino, the ball also dropped over the goal.

It was a big let-off for Chievo, who pushed hard for a third goal at the start of the second half.

Vlada Avramov, Frey's replacement in the Fiorentina goal, did well to keep Pellissier at bay with a diving save from the home captain.

And Abbruscato also came closing to scoring in the 63rd minute, producing a low drive which flew across the face of goal and just past the post.

Fiorentina were struggling to keep up with the pace but Montolivo gave them cause for hope with a shot from distance which narrowly cleared the net.

Pellissier continued to be a menace at the other end of the pitch and another darting run into the area four minutes from time ended with a shot which had to be booted way by the Viola defence.

Sorrentino then played a hand in ensuring maximum points for his side, smothering a late strike from Juan Manuel Vargas at the second attempt.