Fiorentina fails to keep up pressure on leaders after draw

Fiorentina’s forward from Argentina Mauro Zarate (C) fights for the ball with Bologna’s defender from Senegal Ibrahima Mbaye and Bologna’s forward from Italy Franco Brienza (L) during the Italian Serie A football match Bologna vs Fiorentina at “Renato Dall’Ara” Stadium in Bologna on February 6, 2016. AFP

MILAN — Fiorentina failed to keep up the pressure on the top two in Serie A as it was held at Bologna to 1-1 after midfielder Mati Fernandez was sent off early in the second half on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

Fiorentina remained third, seven points behind Napoli and five behind Juventus. Both face teams in the relegation zone on Sunday (Monday Manila time), with Napoli hosting Carpi, and Juventus visiting Frosinone.

Inter Milan can leapfrog Fiorentina with a win at Hellas Verona. Then they meet in the next round.

“It’s a very important match,” Fiorentina midfielder Matias Vecino said. “It will be decisive for the Champions League fight. There are so many teams within a few points of each other, and to remain there we have to not lose a direct battle.”

Elsewhere, Lazio captain Stefano Mauri headed a corner onto a crossbar as his side drew an entertaining match 0-0 at relegation-threatened Genoa.

Genoa was six points above the drop zone ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures, with Lazio moving level on points with eighth-placed Empoli.

Fiorentina’s hopes of a catch-up win appeared to diminish when Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 57th minute, less than 10 minutes after receiving his first yellow card.

But the visitors reacted in the best possible way, by immediately taking the lead, with Federico Bernardeschi drilling Cristian Tello’s cross into the bottom right corner.

It was Bernardeschi’s second ever league goal.

However, Bologna leveled just four minutes later. Godfred Donsah did well to control a ball in the area and turn to cut it back to Emanuele Giaccherini, who rifled in a low shot.