[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 6 - 29/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Livorno 0 - 3 Fiorentina
Osvaldo 45, 67 (F), Santana 69 (F)
Stadio Picchi

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Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scored a sensational brace as Fiorentina won at Livorno in Serie A for the first time in 75 years.

The two local rivals were coming into this tie from opposite ends of the table, as Livorno Coach Fernando Orsi's head was already on the chopping block after two points in five games, while the Viola could afford to rest Adrian Mutu following their 2-2 draw with leaders Roma midweek. Marco Donadel sat out his suspension. Surprisingly, Francesco Tavano was not even on the bench for the Amaranto.

However, Fiorentina's record here was abysmal, as they had not won in any competition since the 1971-72 Coppa Italia and hadn't even scored in their last four visits. Every Serie A team this weekend came out wearing red ribbons in solidarity with the protestors in Myanmar.

Livorno had penalty appeals for a Fabio Liverani handling offence, but it seemed to be ball-to-arm, then Antonio Filippini's header was off target from David Balleri's cross.

Gobbi flicked up the ball to cut out three Livorno defenders, but the volley was over after that fantastic footwork.

Gobbi went even closer soon after with a poorly cleared corner kick, his shot from the edge of the area cracking the base of the upright.

It was a very ill-tempered first half, but the home side had the better moves and Balleri hesitated to take the shot from nine yards, allowing a defender to close him down.

However, on the stroke of half-time Fiorentina took the lead against the run of play with a sensational debut goal from Pablo Daniel Osvaldo. The cross to the back post was spectacularly volleyed into the far top corner with the inside of his right foot.

Coach Nando Orsi was sent off for dissent during the half-time break, so for the second period his assistant manager Spinosi was on the bench. Giampaolo Pazzini had a shot charged down and from the resulting corner Tomas Ujfalusi fired over.

Tempers flared even further on 63 minutes, as Massimo Loviso foolishly held back Pazzini and repeatedly kicked out at his heels. The red card was inevitable and left Livorno to end the game with 10 men. It was also Pazzini's final contribution before making way for Christian Vieri.

Livorno lost their way and Osvaldo completed his brace. The defence was caught napping as he chested down Mario Alberto Santana's chipped pass and waited for Marco Amelia to come out before flicking the ball over the goalkeeper.

It was another Argentine, Santana, who made it 3-0 moments later. His shot took a decisive deflection off a defender to loop over a helpless Amelia.

Vieri's spectacular volley cracked against the crossbar with great force on Osvaldo's intelligent assist.


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Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Galante, Knezevic (Rezaei 50); Balleri (Bogdani 54), A Filippini, Loviso, Giannichedda, Pasquale; Rossini, Diamanti (Volpe 65)

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Balzaretti; Kuzmanovic, Liverani (Pazienza 64), Gobbi (Montolivo 55); Santana, Pazzini (Vieri 65), Osvaldo

Ref: Rosetti

Sent off: Loviso 63 (L)

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