Fiorentina 2-1 Bari

Jose Castillo struck the winning goal for Fiorentina as the Viola came from behind against Bari to prevail 2-1.

Castillo struck the winner in the 74th minute but he was shown a red card 10 minutes from time, with Bari's Sergio Almiron already dismissed for two bookings.

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu had earlier cancelled out Paulo Barreto's 25th minute opener.

The Viola went into the game inspired by their 5-2 triumph at Siena in midweek and controlled the opening stages.

The home side had the first chance early on but Riccardo Montolivo's power strike from distance went high over the bar.

Bari first tested Viola goalkeeper Sebastien Frey in the eighth minute with Almiron's right-footed strike from the edge of the area.

Frey came up with the save.

Fiorentina should have broken the deadlock in the 11th minute but Felipe's close-range header from Manuel Pasqual's free-kick was met by a glorious save by Bari goalkeeper Jean Francois Gillet.

Midway through the first half, Emmanuel Rivas almost stunned Frey with a cross-cum-shot attempt which went just wide of the far post.

The visitors broke the deadlock soon after.

Andrea Ranocchia headed a corner-kick towards the path of Barreto, who nodded in from close-range to beat Frey.

Fiorentina almost levelled the score on the half-hour mark but Gillet did well to parry away Mutu's close-range header from a corner.

The Viola were rewarded before half-time when Pasqual's cross from the left found Mutu inside the area and his powerful central header beat Gillet.

The hosts picked up where they left off after the re-start and Gillet was forced to fully stretch to clear Mario Santana's stinging drive from distance.

At the other end, Edgar Alvarez latched onto Barreto's assist before firing a right-footed strike from the edge of the area which was met by a great save from Frey.

Bari were unlucky not to go in front in the 56th minute.

Riccardo Meggiorini's 25-yard strike hit the near post with Frey already beaten.

Despite playing with a man down after Almiron's careless sending off, Bari continued to surge forward in search of the winner.

Their prayers were almost answered but Baretto's right-footed volley flew just wide of the near post.

In the 73rd minute, Fiorentina had a goal disallowed for an Alberto Gilardino offside.

But it did not take long for the hosts to go in front.

Castillo, who had replaced Marco Donadel four minutes earlier, slotted the ball into the back of the net after Montolivo's effort had rebounded off the post.

Shortly after, Castillo was given his marching orders following a hard challenge on Pedro Kamata.

Fiorentina defended well and Bari's hopes of finding the equaliser proved fruitless.