Gilardino joy at show of strength

ACF Fiorentina's last-gasp victory away to Liverpool FC underlined the extent of their progress as a European force according to match-winner Alberto Gilardino.

Group winners
The Viola forward struck in the second minute of added time to earn a 2-1 triumph for the Serie A side and ensure they advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League as Group E winners, two points clear of Olympique Lyonnais. Gilardino, who earlier teed up Martin Jørgensen's equaliser as Fiorentina overturned a half-time deficit, said: "We are aware of how much we've progressed, and of our strengths. It's never easy to impose your game on the opposition here at Liverpol but we did a great job." It was a view echoed by midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, who said: "I think in this Champions League campaign we have shown we've taken so many steps forward. Overall, this evening's game was practically perfect."

Cavalieri saves
Before kick-off, the 2,000 Fiorentina fans at the Anfield Road end chanted "Liverpool" in homage to their hosts. Yet the manner in which the Viola claimed a fifth successive victory in the UEFA Champions League suggests the deference stops with their supporters. Fiorentina looked the likelier scorers in the first period, with Lorenzo De Silvestri and Montolivo drawing fine saves from Diego Cavalieri, before Liverpool registered with their first chance of note just before the break, Yossi Benayoun heading in. "In the first half I thought we played better than them," added Montolivo. "But then we had to be strong to keep on fighting right to the end."

Singing in the rain
Liverpool threatened more in the second half, with substitute Fernando Torres asking questions of the visiting defence on his first appearance for five weeks. Yet Fiorentina secured the three points after one of their own replacements, Peruvian Juan Vargas, starting on the bench after a thigh problem, burst down the left and centred for Gilardino to net. Montolivo said: "I thought the ball was lost but Juan did well to keep going and Gila [did well] to put it in." The goalscorer himself added: "I'm really thrilled. To score in the 93rd minute and celebrate with the fans was amazing. Those fans who were there in the rain deserved this victory."

No fears
That last-gasp strike left Fiorentina with 15 points – more than every side in the competition bar FC Girondins de Bordeaux – and their triumph was all the more impressive given the absence of a handful of first-teamers. Cesare Prandelli's men fell at the group stage when returning to the UEFA Champions League last term but can now look forward with real confidence to their first last-16 appearance since 1999/2000. "All the teams have a high level," said Montolivo when asked about potential opponents. On the evidence of an autumn campaign where the Florence club were outscored only by Real Madrid CF, they need fear no one.