Messina - Fiorentina [20/5/07]

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 37 - 20/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Messina - FiorentinaStadio San FilippoFiorentina should book themselves a place in next season’s UEFA Cup when they travel to Messina at the weekend. The Viola need just a point to give some sense to a campaign compromised by their 15-point Calciopoli deduction and the already relegated Messina look unlikely to put up a real fight.

The Tuscan club are now fifth in the standings after their 1-0 win over Cagliari in the last round. Giampaolo Pazzini was the goal hero and he should retain his place in the line-up at the expense of Luca Toni. The latter is still struggling physically and may only be fit enough to start on the bench at the San Filippo.

Boss Cesare Prandelli signed a new four-year contract with the club this week and will be proud of his team’s efforts this term. Yet he’ll need to juggle things around for Sunday. Star striker Adrian Mutu, who has been rejuvenated by his former Parma tactician, is suspended along with Michele Pazienza. Marco Donadel and Mario Santana are injury concerns.

The Viola are in a decent run of form with three wins and a 0-0 draw at Milan in their last four games since a shock reverse at Parma. And although they have only won six times on the road this term, Messina are one of the poorest sides in the League with just one point collected from their last nine games. They were walloped 4-1 by Parma in the last round thanks to a display which verged on the embarrassing.

Bruno Bolchi, their third boss of the campaign, may stuff the side with youngsters given that they have nothing left to play for. “My players are already thinking about their holidays,” said the tactician after their latest reverse.

He also has some massive injury problems to contend with. The likes of Angelo Rea, Mark Iuliano, Marco Zoro, Mitsuo Ogasawara, Massimo Minetti, Sergio Floccari and Ibrahima Bakayoko have all spent time in the treatment room of late. The only hope for Messina comes in the shape of star striker Rigano’ who has netted 15 goals in 25 games this term.

Man on fire: Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – The Under-21 international is staking his claim to a starting shirt for next season given the likely departure of Luca Toni. A youngster with undoubted talent, Pazzini will be looking to fire his side into Europe this weekend.

Last season: Messina 2-2 Fiorentina

Form guide: Messina (L L D L L) Fiorentina (L W W D W)
Messina (probable): Paoletti; Zanchi, Morello, Candela, Giallombardo; Lavecchia, Pestrin, D’Aversa, Masiello, Parisi; Rigano’
Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Blasi, Liverani, Montolivo; Reginaldo, Pazzini, Jorgensen
Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Fiorentina have everything to play for, Messina don't.

Away win.

[Forza_Roma]

Ya, you're right, they really need to take advantage of this game where they can earn maximum points. Empoli and Palermo are one-two points behind them and Atalanta 5 points behind. They will be safe, but a win here would guarantee their spot.

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Fiorentina. Goal by Pazzini from the penalty spot. Joel will be happy!

[Forza_Roma]

HT 1-0 Fiorentina

[Forza_Roma]

2-0 Fiorentina
58` Camberini

[Forza_Roma]

FT 2-2
1-2 82` Rigano
2-2 87` Rigano [pen]

[Forza_Roma]

Fiorentina book Uefa Spot!

Serie A Week 37 - 20/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Messina 2 - 2 Fiorentina
Pazzini pen 25 (F), Gamberini 57 (F), Rigano' 82, pen 87 (M)
Stadio San Filippo

Christian Rigano' completed the comeback against his former teammates, but Fiorentina get the point they needed to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

The Viola needed only a point to be sure of their place in the UEFA Cup - quite an achievement considering they started the campaign with a 15-point Calciopoli penalty. Messina had no such handicap, but still managed to get relegated and this week Christian Rigano' surprisingly invited the fans to jeer the team as "we all deserve it." Luca Toni is out for the rest of the season after underdoing surgery on his left foot to resolve a metatarsal problem, while Adrian Mutu and Michele Pazienza were suspended.

Giampaolo Pazzini chested down a Fabio Liverani pass and volleyed off target, while the Under-21 international also had a goal disallowed for a debatable offside position. Goalkeeper Gabriele Paoletti had fumbled a Martin Jorgensen shot and Pazzini pounced on the loose ball.

The referee pointed to the spot after 25 minutes when Pestrin clattered into Martin Jorgensen. Pazzini converted with power, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Velotto was kept busy, as Alessandro Gamberini dragged down Rigano' for a penalty at the other end. However, Sebastien Frey parried his former teammate's spot-kick.

Fiorentina were in control and Jorgensen's half-volley skimmed the near post, then Paoletti denied Pazzini.

They finally made it 2-0 on 57 minutes, as Paoletti's very weak parry from a Jorgensen shot was straight into the path of Gamberini.

Riccardo Montolivo's strike was so powerful it ricocheted off the upright, but Rigano' grabbed a goal against his old club with a trademark header at the back post from a corner kick.

Rigano' completed the comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the final minutes. His header from an Edgar Alvarez cross struck Tomas Ujfalusi on the arm, so this time Rigano' converted the spot-kick, as Frey did not even move.

Messina: Paoletti; Lavecchia, Morello (Cala' 46), Candela, Giallombardo, Pestrin, D’Aversa, Masiello (Montella 76), Parisi (Cordova 59), Alvarez, Riganò

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Gobbi, Liverani, Blasi, Montolivo, Reginaldo, Jorgensen (Kuzmanovic 59), Pazzini

Ref: Velotto

Missed penalty: Rigano' 30 (M)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Pazzini scores again!!

Man I love this kid.