[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 1 - 26/8/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 3 - 1 Empoli
Pazzini 56 (F), Mutu 64 (F), Montolivo 70 (F), Saudati 92 (E)
Stadio Franchi

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Fiorentina took a while to get going, but dominated the Tuscan derby against rivals Empoli.

This heated Tuscan derby kicked off the season between two teams with real ambition. The Viola reached Europe despite a 15-point Calciopoli penalty, while Empoli qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history. The Azzurri's last Serie A win here was 1997.

Now that Luca Toni has moved on to Bayern Munich, Giampaolo Pazzini has the reins. Franco Semioli was out injured and Tomas Ujfalusi suspended.

The game took a while to get going, but on 14 minutes Antonio Busce' just failed to get the decisive touch on a cross that traversed the entire face of goal, as Manuel Pasqual's challenge proved crucial.

Giampaolo Pazzini couldn't get the final tap-in on a corner kick, then had a weak penalty appeal waved away as he tripped up when running alongside Lino Marzoratti.

Gamberini's header from a Fabio Liverani free kick was off target and, on the counter, Daniele Adani flung himself in front of Adrian Mutu's shot. Sebastien Frey parried a Vittorio Tosto piledriver and Riccardo Montolivo's effort was well held.

Fiorentina threw on Kuzmanovic for Michele Pazienza and the home side finally broke through with a lot of help from goalkeeper Daniele Balli. He got a hand to Montolivo's strike, tipping it straight into the path of Pazzini for the easiest of finishes.

The Viola secured the points soon after, as Mutu cut back to abandon his marker and find the space to comfortably beat Balli with a low strike.

Empoli substitute Sebastian Giovinco tried to get his side back into it and Frey held an Igli Vannucchi set-piece.

However, Montolivo made it 3-0 with a sublime individual effort. The Under-21 international left Andrea Raggi floundering and surprised Balli with a marvellous chip from a tight angle.

Christian Vieri made his official Fiorentina debut in place of Mutu for the final 16 minutes at the Stadio Franchi. He immediately made his mark with a shot just over the bar.

Luca Saudati got a late consolation goal with a curling finish, but it did little to repair a poor Empoli performance.


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Fiorentina: Frey; Potenza, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Liverani, Pazienza (Kuzmanovic 46); Santana (Donadel 61), Montolivo, Mutu (Vieri 74); Pazzini


Empoli: Balli; Tosto, Adani, Antonini (Giovinco 60), Buscè; Giacomazzi, Marianini (Marchisio 61), Marzoratti (Vanigli 72), Raggi; Saudati, Vannucchi


Ref: Trefoloni

match report.

viola proving they dont miss toni.