Fiorentina Women were beaten 1-0 by Hellas Verona at the Stadio Bozzi on Sunday afternoon as an Asia Bragonzi penalty midway through the second half proved the difference in Florence.

The Viola dominated much of the opening 45 minutes, but time and again Antonio Cincotta’s side were unable to take their chances. Greta Adami had an early chance to score from a free-kick, while Valery Vigilucci saw her effort denied by Francesca Durante – on loan from Fiorentina – in the Verona goal.

The best chance of the first half fell to Claudio Neto, but Durante excelled herself once again to deny the Fiorentina player twice in the same move.

Tatiana Bonetti and Michela Catena were sent on during the second half as Fiorentina began to exert more pressure, but the match was about to take a turn for the worse. Around the 70-minute mark, Bragonzi latched onto a long ball forward, finding space between Alice Tortelli and Vigilucci, who brought the Verona player down inside the box. The punishment was swift: a red card for Vigilucci and a penalty to Verona. Bragonzi herself made no mistake from the spot.

Despite being a player down, Cincotta’s side attempted to rally but to no avail and the full-time whistle confirmed the 1-0 win for Verona.

Fiorentina 0-1 Hellas Verona
Scorer: Bragonzi pen. 72

ACF Fiorentina Femminile: Ohrstrom (C), Cordia (Catena 62), Tortelli, Zanoli, Vigilucci, Adami (Arnth 86), Middag (Bonetti 53), Breitner, Nero, Sabatino, Thogersen.
Subs not used: Forcinella, Ripamonti, Monnecchi, Clelland, Lorieri, Fusini.
Coach: Antonio Cincotta

Hellas Verona Women: Durante, Ledri, Solo, Meneghini, Sardu, Bragonzi, Mella, Jelencic, Nichele (Susanna 63), Santi, Ambrosi.
Subs not used: Perin, Papaleo, Colombo, Oliva, Marchiori, Motta, Vicenzi, De Pellegrini.
Coach: Matteo Pachera

Red cards: Vigilucci 71.