The ‘new’ Fiorentina opened their fourth division campaign last night with a 1-1 draw away to Sangiovannese.

The club, entitled Florentia Viola, have had to make a new start after the former Cup-winners Cup holders collapsed into bankruptcy at the end of last season.

Ciccio Baiano – turned down by Florentia on the eve of the Serie C2 season – put Sangiovannese ahead after 23 minutes. That looked likely to prove the winning goal until Gio Masitto snatched an equalising in the fifth minute of second half injury time.

Only one significant figure from Fiorentina’s recent past remained on duty, former Italy midfielder Angelo Di Livio. Some 8,000 fans made the trip from Florence to join 2,000 local supporters in Arezzo.
By Keir Radnedge