Fiorentina Women were unable to match league leaders Roma as a first-half red card dented their hopes of launching a fightback and the Giallorosse eventually ran out 7-1 winners.

The visitors broke the deadlock after just four minutes when the ball fell conveniently for Andressa to turn in from close range, before Giada Greggi curled in the second 10 minutes later.

The real turning point came four minutes before half time when Milica Mijatovic and Norma Cinotti leapt together for a high ball and the Viola striker caught her opponent with a leg. The ref extracted the red card and Fiorentina had to play the rest of the game a woman light.

However, Patrizia Panico's side came back out with the bit between their teeth and immediately halved the deficit: Miriam Longo and Alexandra Johannsdottir both struck the woodwork before Alice Parisi finally put the ball in the net.

For five minutes it looked as though an improbable comeback might be on the cards but a third goal for the visitors by Emilie Haavi took the wind out of Fiorentina's sails.

New Viola signing Linda Tucceri Cimini made her debut as a 67th-minute sub but it remained 3-1 until five minutes from time, before further strikes from Andressa, Zara Kramzar, Cinotti and Manuela Giugliano ended up making the scoreline look a little harsh.

Fiorentina will need to pick themselves up quickly and try to bounce straight back when they travel to Sassuolo next week.

Fiorentina 1-7 Roma (HT 0-2)
Scorers: Andressa 4, 74, Greggi 16, Parisi 48, Haavi 55, Kramzar 85, Cinotti 90+1, Giugliano 90+3.

ACF FIORENTINA: Baldi, Tortelli (C), Agard, Jackmon (Tucceri Cimini 67), Erzen (Cafferata 84), Parisi (Breitner 76), Johannsdottir (Catena 76), Boquete (Monnecchi 84) Severini Longo, Mijatovic.
Subs not used: Schroffenegger, Cafferata, Sabatino, Kajan, Hammarlund, Monnecchi.
Coach: Patrizia Panico.

AS ROMA: Ceasar, Minami, Cinotti, Andressa (Haug 76), Giacinti (Kramzar 83), Giugliano, Haavi (Glionna 76), Bartoli (C), Serturini, Greggi (Ciccotti 83), Linari (Wenninger 72).
Subs not used: Lind, Landstrom, Kollmats, Lazaro.
Coach: Alessandro Spugna.

Booked: Agard, Linari.
Sent off: Mijatovic 41.