Serie B side Ascoli managed a 1-1 draw against Serie A giant Fiorentina in their Coppa Italia first leg encounter in Ascoli.

The Viola took the lead at a very wet Stadio Del Duca, but the Bianconeri surprisingly hit back against one of the top flight’s most talented squads.

The Serie A outfit took control of the game in the first period with Under-21 striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo looking particularly dangerous for Cesare Prandelli’s side. Only the fine goalkeeping of Bremec kept him out.

However, the Tuscans went a goal ahead in the 31st minute when Everton flop Per Kroldrup headed in a perfectly flighted corner from Osvaldo.

Ondrej Mazuch, on his Viola debut, went close to doubling that lead before Massimo Gobbi missed a golden opportunity just before the half-time oranges when he failed to convert into an empty net.

Arturo Lupoli was given his first outing for the Viola after the interval, but he was one of numerous players to be continually denied by the impressive Bremec.

His display breathed belief into his own side and after Aquilanti, Soncin and Guberti all tried their luck, the latter rippled the net in the 78th minute.

The second leg is set for the Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 16. The winners will take on either Lazio or Napoli in the next round.

Channel4.com