Fiorentina has wasted several scoring opportunities in a disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Ajax Amsterdam in UEFA Cup action overnight. Semi-finalists last season, Fiorentina dominated proceedings and strikers Gilardino and Mutu both wasted scoring chances either side of the interval.

Ajax made the hosts pay for these misses by taking the lead in the 60th minute thanks to a cool finish from Swede Kenneth Bakircioglu.

Like Sampdoria yesterday, the result now means the Italian side needs to win away from home in the return legs in two weeks time.