The Spanish striker was given a chance ahead of Harry Kane and took it with a fine early goal but Mauricio Pochettino's men could not stop the Italians from leaving with a boostTottenham were pegged back by Fiorentina as they drew 1-1 at White Hart Lane in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.Roberto Soldado, restored to the starting lineup, gave Spurs the lead with a superb goal early in the first half and Mauricio Pochettino's men had several chances to score again.
But Soldado was partly culpable for the Fiorentina equaliser, bringing down Joaquin before the subsequent free kick fell kindly for Jose Basanta to score a vital away goal.
Nacer Chadli struck the crossbar late in the first half for Tottenham but their Serie A opponents matched them throughout the second period.
Soldado slipped a clever pass through the Fiorentina defence for Chadli to draw a sharp save from Ciprian Tatarusanu and the Spain international fired his team ahead in style from the resulting corner. Paulinho's outswinging delivery found Soldado in ample room 15 yards from goal and the striker swivelled to rifle home an excellent volley.
On-loan Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah had an attempt blocked by Jan Vertonghen on a rare moment of encouragement amid a torrid opening half-hour for Fiorentina.
Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen lifted over from 18 yards before Soldado sent an overhead kick into Tatarusanu's arms.
The hosts found repeated joy down the right flank, with Andros Townsend cutting in to see a shot deflect wide in the 31st minute but Basanta put his troubles on the left of Fiorentina's back three to one side when he equalised nine minutes before half-time.
Matias Fernandez whipped a vicious free kick towards the near post, Lloris's punch struck Fiorentina defender Stefan Savic on the back and dropped to leave Basanta with a simple finish.
Pochettino's team almost restored their lead on the stroke of half-time when Tatarusanu kept out a Soldado header from Kyle Walker's cross and Chadli turned the rebound against the underside of the crossbar.
Salah whipped an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the box as Fiorentina began the second period in far more encouraging fashion.
In the 56th minute, Eriksen found himself crowded out by a visiting defence showing far greater composure and restricting Tottenham to half chances.
It persuaded Pochettino to send top scorer Harry Kane on for Chadli midway through the half but the home team were almost exposed at the back as Mario Gomez cut in past Federico Fazio to blast over.
Paulinho's influence had waned since the early action but the Tottenham midfielder made a well-timed run into the box in the 72nd minute, only for Tatarusanu to save once more.
Fiorentina came closest to snatching the win as time ticked down - the impressive Joaquin slipping a pass to substitute Marcos Alonso, whose cross from the left channel flashed agonisingly past Gomez's outstretched boot - but Montella will be the more content coach ahead of next week's return.
