Fiorentina Women were beaten 1-0 by Sassuolo on Sunday as they returned to domestic action following the Champions League trip to Manchester City in midweek.

The Viola had the better start, with Daniela Sabatino coming closest for the visitors only for her shot to be blocked by the Sassuolo keeper, but it was the home side that took the lead after 26 minutes’ play. Some good work from Mana Mihashi set up Michela Cambiaghi on the edge of the box, with the Italian finding the far corner with a fine strike for 1-0.

It proved to be the only goal of the game, despite Fiorentina creating a series of chances in the second half, and Antonio Cincotta’s side slipped to a second successive Serie A defeat to leave them on 23 points after 15 games.

“It’s really difficult because this result in no way reflects what we saw out there,” said Cincotta after the game. “I congratulated and applauded the girls one by one because they showed personality, they dominated the pitch and they created by far the most chances. I think we deserved a different result.”

Sassuolo 1-0 Fiorentina
Scorer: Cambiaghi 26.

SASSUOLO: Lemey, Philtjens, Mihashi, Pirone, Brignoli, Orsi, Tomaselli, Santoro (74' Monterubbiano), Cambiaghi (65' Battelani), Lenzini, Filangeri.
Subs not used: Brundin, Fuentes del razo, Sassi, Spallanzani, Pellinghelli, Lauria, De bona.
Coach: Gianpiero Piovani

ACF FIORENTINA: Schroffenegger, Cordia, Quinn, Adami (C), Thogersen, Vigilucci, Neto (36' Baldi), Middag, Zanoli (82' Monnecchi), Clelland, Sabatino.
Subs not used: Ohrstrom, Breitner, Piemonte, Forcinella, Papi, Mazzoni, Mani.
Coach: Antonio Cincotta