Luca Toni’s strike just before half time allowed Fiorentina to keep up their slim hopes of a Champions League spot this season, but also condemned his former side Palermo, to relegation.

The veteran Italian, keen to impress on a rare start, came close in the opening stages as a Juan Cuadrado cross was pushed away from him. However the Sicilian side had chances of their own before the opening goal, with Ezequiel Munoz and Jasmin Kurtic both missing good opportunities.

It was the side of Florence who had the better of the play though, with Stefan Jovetic putting the ball in the net before being ruled offside, Manuel Pasqual edging a free kick wide, and Luca Toni heading over from close range.

After another wave of pressure, the veteran Italian slotted home an impressive move by the home side on the 41st minute of play.

At half time, the heavens opened and rain flew down in Florence and the play dampened. The game turned into a scrappy affair, but not one that lacked chances, with Jovetic, Borja Valero and Luca Toni all coming close for the home side. The Sicilians still provided a threat from the dead ball situations, with a final minute free kick from Fabrizio Miccoli coming close to stealing a point from Fiorentina.

However, it was not to be and the visitors will now be playing in Serie B next term. For Fiorentina, there is still much to play for. After a late Roma goal last week seemed to doom their chances of Champions League qualification, Roma have given the Viola a slim chance at that coveted third spot by holding Milan to a 0-0 draw. They lie in fourth, and though it would require Milan to drop points in their final game in the league, it means there is still something to play for for the home side. They visit bottom placed Pescara on the final match day of the season, and with the title and relegation decided, the battle for third place between Fiorentina and Milan will be where all Italian eyes are next weekend.