Fiorentina Femminile’s perfect start to the season looked set to continue on Saturday when Michela Catena gave them a first-half lead against Roma at Stadio Tre Fontane, but it wasn’t to be, as the home side came through with goals from Sophie Haug and Valentina Giacinti to win 2-1.

It was a tough battle, as expected, in front of a full crowd in Rome. The Viola looked determined as they headed out, but Roma got off to a strong start. Efforts from Benedetta Glionna and Paloma Lazaro tested Katja Schroffenegger early on, and the Viola goalkeeper certainly had her work cut out against a strong Roma front line.

However, Fiorentina finally warmed up to the game on the 30-minute mark, with neat play setting up Catena, who shifted it to her right and dinked a nice effort into the back of the net to give the Viola a 1-0 lead.

Glionna went close to launching Roma’s comeback, first with a free-kick that went just inches wide and then in a one-on-one with Schroffenegger where she only managed to hit it straight at the goalkeeper.

The Giallorosse got off to a flying start again in the second half but with more success this time. On 53 minutes, Lazaro’s cross found Haug who headed it in at the front post to draw them level.

Fiorentina struggled to find space up top while Roma continued to press, and on 75 minutes they completed the turnaround. Stephanie Breitner cleared Annamaria Serturini’s effort off the line, but the ball found its way back into the area and Giacinti slotted home.

The Viola went close to evening things up again in stoppage time when it was Roma’s turn to clear off the line, with Elisa Bartoli denying Sarah Huchet’s headed effort.

The game ended 2-1 to Roma. The Viola will analyse their performance, but they’ll be looking ahead to next Saturday when they welcome Sassuolo to Sesto Fiorentino.

ROMA 2-1 FIORENTINA (HT: 0-1)
Scorers: Catena 28, Haug 53, Giacinti 75

AS ROMA: Lind, Minami, Wenninger, Kollmats (Bartoli 57), Serturini, Cinotti, Greggi, Andressa (Kramzar 77), Glionna (Hai 58), Haug (Giacinti 58), Lazaro.
Subs not used: Ferrara, Ciccotti, Zannini, Ceasar, Landstrom.
Coach: Alessandro Spugna.

ACF FIORENTINA: Schroffenegger, Jackmon (Longo 81), Tortelli, Breitner, Cafferata (Agard 67), Parisi, Johannsdottir (Huchet 81), Boquete, Catena (Menta 81), Mijatovic (Monnecchi 60), Kajan.
Subs not used: Severini, Baldi, Sabatino, Giacobbo.
Coach: Patrizia Panico.