Roma have kicked off their Serie A campaign with a slender 1-0 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico tonight.

Neto was called into action just short of the half-hour mark to deny Gervinho in the first real opening of the game, with the forward unable to find a way past the visiting keeper after latching onto a through ball.

The Giallorossi, who had Ashley Cole among their ranks for his league debut, did make the breakthrough one minute later and it was Radja Nainggolan who found the net after firing home a rebound which fell to his feet.

Morgan de Sanctis denied Fioentina a leveller when he was equal to Josip Ilicic's free kick, while he also had to be on his guard to deny Khouma Babacar down low on the hour.

Roma managed to survive the late pressure, and Gervinho added a second deep into added time to ensure that his side took home all three points.