[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 36 - 13/5/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina - Cagliari

Stadio Franchi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With European football virtually in the bag, Fiorentina welcome relegation-threatened Cagliari to the Stadio Artemio Franchi looking to put a dent in their survival hopes. Despite winning at the weekend, the Rossoblu are only three points clear of the drop zone with as many games left to play.

The victory, 2-1 over an Udinese side lacking in discipline, couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for Coach Marco Giampaolo, whose side had lost three on the bounce heading into the game. But he’ll need his boys to step it up another level against the Viola and they’ll certainly need their scoring boots on if they are to get past Sebastien Frey, whose recent form has been excellent. The Sardinian faithful shouldn’t hold out too much hope for a goal fest though – only Torino and Siena have scored less goals this term.

Despite picking up three points on Sunday, Giampaolo is set to ring the changes as he welcomes back several key players. Cristiano Del Grosso saw his former side Ascoli relegated at the weekend and he will be hoping to help his current team avoid a similar fate as he comes into the side in place of Michele Canini. Davide Marchini was decisive against Udinese, but looks set to be replaced by Alessandro Conticchio, while Alessandro Budel is also likely to miss out due to Daniele Conti returning from suspension.

Antonio D’Agostino came on as a second half substitute in place of Alessandro Agostini at the weekend and the attacking edge he gave the side is likely to be on display from the offset. And as if that wasn’t a long enough list of changes, Simone Pepe’s disappointing form means that Andrea Capone will be handed another chance to shine alongside David Suazo after his Week 35 winner. There’s still no place for Antonio Langella, who has been dropped from the side in recent weeks. It wasn’t that long ago that the 30-year-old was pulling on the Azzurri shirt…

After scraping a draw against Milan, thanks largely to some fortuitous officiating and a missed penalty by Kaka, Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli looks set to stick largely with the same starting XI. The one expected change is likely to come in defence, with Dario Dainelli stepping in for former Everton and Udinese defender Per Kroldrup. That means that Luca Toni remains on the sidelines. The official reason relates to an ankle complaint, but it is thought that Giampaolo Pazzini is being handed an extended run in light of the No 30’s expected move away from Florence in the summer.

Man on fire: Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina) – The French custodian’s form all term has been stunning and he has been keeping clean sheets for fun of late.

Last season: Fiorentina 2-1 Cagliari

Form guide: Fiorentina (W L W W D) Cagliari (D L L L W)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Jorgensen, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Pazienza, Liverani, Montolivo; Reginaldo, Pazzini, Mutu

Cagliari (probable): Chimenti; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Del Grosso; Conticchio, Colucci, Conti, D'Agostino; Capone, Suazo

channel4.com - Football Italia