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Serie A Week 18 - 13/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Parma - Fiorentina

Stadio Tardini

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Fiorentina will have to be wary when they visit the Stadio Tardini to face Parma in Week 18. The Tuscans have always struggled against the Emiliani and they will have to play at their best if they want to return to Florence with all three points.

Parma are holding a mid-table position and they have had a decent season so far. The Gialloblu have been particularly inspired in front of their fans, since they have lost only once at the Tardini and won the last two games there.

The Crociati will be hoping to repeat last year’s 2-0 win against Fiorentina. Although safety is still a long way off, if Domenico Di Carlo’s men continue their positive home run things should be much easier for them.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina have bigger plans for their season. Cesare Prandelli is still convinced the Viola can qualify for Champions League but it will be a tough job for them. Fiorentina are now fifth with 28 points, just one behind fourth-placed Udinese. The Bianconeri will have an easy tie against Cagliari, that is why the Viola cannot afford to drop points here.

Parma boss Di Carlo may confirm his favourite 4-4-2 formation this week. However, the Coach will be missing several players. Giuseppe Cardone and Daniele Paponi have left the team to join Cesena, while creative midfielder Domenico Morfeo and Igor Budan are injured.

Former Viola ace Giulio Falcone will be the central defender, while Ferdinand Coly should be covering the right. The former Perugia man was supposed to leave in January due to the African Nations Cup, but has decided to reject his national team’s call. The Crociati attacking duo will be formed by Bernardo Corradi and Andrea Gasbarroni.

Prandelli has a couple of doubts about the Fiorentina side which will face Parma. The Coach will opt for a 4-3-3, but he’s not sure yet whether Sebastian Frey will be able to take the gloves due to injury. Cristiano Lupatelli will probably replace him.

Talented youngster Daniele Cacia has joined Fiorentina from Piacenza but he will probably have to wait for his debut. The Tuscan trident should be formed by Mario Alberto Santana, Adrian Mutu and Christian Vieri leaving Giampaolo Pazzini, once again, sitting on the bench.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian has a Gialloblu past and it will be a pleasure for him to return to the Tardini. However, there won’t be any January discounts for Parma when the game kicks off…

Last season: Parma 2-0 Fiorentina

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


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Parma (probable): Bucci; Coly, Paci, Falcone, Zenoni; Reginaldo, Morrone, Cigarini, Pisanu; Corradi, Gasbarroni

Fiorentina (probable): Lupatelli; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Vieri, Mutu

Ref: To follow...

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