Fiorentina safely through to Champions League group stage

Fiorentina qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2000 after a 0-0 draw with Slavia Prague here on Wednesday.

La Viola produced a controlled, if unspectacular, performance to get the result they needed to secure a 2-0 aggregate victory.

The Tuscans had much the better of the first period with Felipe Melo coming closest to scoring as his effort was diverted onto the crossbar by Slavia goalkeeper Martin Vaniak.

Argentine forward Pablo Osvaldo was causing Slavia all sorts of problems up front while Peruvian defender Juan Vargas was a rock at the back.

Slavia made a double change at the break and came out with more purpose and Jaroslav Cerny fired a shot wide five minutes after the restart.

La Viola boss Cesare Prandelli brought on Marco Donadel to shore up the midfield as he looked to hold onto their first leg advantage.

Fiorentina remained dangerous, though, and Osvaldo tested Vaniak from distance but the goalkeeper parried the ball away for a corner.

Thereafter, though, the Italians controlled the tempo and played out the draw that ensured they had no nervous moments.