Serie A: Fiorentina - Cagliari [13-05-07]

[D-Kin]

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

Stadio Franchi

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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)

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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

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[D-Kin]

Toni is still out with a foot injury.
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[Forza_Roma]

At least Pazzini is playing with on the shelf. But it's convenient that Toni has the injury just as the rumors start flying over his move to Bayern? But doesn't matter, as long as he stays clear of Totti's top scorer title, i'm happy

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Ya toni has a foot injury like inter is going to win the CI...both are false

[D-Kin]

Cagliari defender Diego Lopez has called on his teammates to remain focused in their fight to avoid Serie A relegation.

The Rossoblu are only three points clear of the drop zone with three games to go and visit Fiorentina on Sunday in what promises to be a tough match.

“We must remain concentrated on our objective,” said Lopez, whose side defeated Udinese last Sunday at the Stadio Sant’Elia after coming back from 1-0 down.

“We need to think about ourselves and maintain the right confidence and serenity,” added the Uruguayan.

“I get annoyed when I hear that Udinese were already on holiday, that they did not have any more motivation. I say that we were good in reacting and overturning the situation in our favour.

“Now we must concentrate on Fiorentina, who would be in the top positions had they not been penalised at the start of the season.”

The Viola will be without striker Luca Toni, who is sidelined with an ankle problem, and he will be replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini.

“Toni is a champion, but his substitute will definitely want to take advantage of the situation to shine,” added the South American.

“We must focus on playing our match. The team is ready and can do well as we proved last Sunday.”

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[Forza_Roma]

This should be a good game. I think Cagliari will put in a good effort and may walk a way with the three points.

[D-Kin]

Fiorentina are 1-0 up, Pazzini with the goal.

[D-Kin]

43' A problem for Cagliari's Pisano. He went down after Pascual's challenge and is receiving treatment from the physio.

[D-Kin]

45' Chimenti pulls off a routine save from Liverani on the volley.

[D-Kin]

HT 1-0 to Fiorentina.

[Forza_Roma]

Good for Pazzini. Show Fiorentina you deserve the starting position up front next season. I think that's his 5th goal of the season.

[D-Kin]

I'm pleased to see him playing and scoring, he deserves it.

[D-Kin]

52' Pazzini sees a shot saved by Chimenti after he had been played in by a sublime pass from Mutu.

[D-Kin]

FT 1-0 to Fiorentina.

[Forza_Roma]

Pazzini scores!!!! Cagliari may end up in B.

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

Fiorentina 1 - 0 Cagliari
Pazzini 7 (F)
Stadio Franchi

Fiorentina moved up to fifth place thanks to a curious Giampaolo Pazzini goal, but were twice saved by the woodwork.

The Viola needed only one last push to secure European football for next season, but Cagliari found themselves just three points clear of the drop zone with as many games left to play. Luca Toni remained sidelined with a metatarsal problem, but Tomas Ujfalusi returned at right-back. Daniele Conti returned from a ban to bolster the visitors.

The deadlock was broken after just over six minutes in a chaotic move. Adrian Mutu's free kick was deflected into the path of Giampaolo Pazzini's header into the ground, which took a bizarre twist off the grass to change direction and enter the net despite two attempted goalline clearances.

Cagliari really should've equalised on the half-hour mark, but somehow Simone Pepe managed to scuff his finish when on his own against Sebastien Frey from a David Suazo assist.

Fabio Liverani curled a free kick inches over the bar and Mutu's set-piece was deflected off target.

Antonio Chimenti smothered an impressive Pazzini volley on the stroke of half-time.

After the break Chimenti performed an extraordinary reaction save. Mutu chipped the ball over the defence for Pazzini's volley into the ground and the goalkeeper lifted his trailing leg to deflect the ball.

Cagliari also went close, as a corner kick was deflected on to the crossbar with Suazo unable to make the most of the loose ball.

The Sardinians hit the woodwork for the second time on 58 minutes, when Pepe put the ball into the centre for a Cristian Del Grosso header that came off the frame of the goal.

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Pazienza, Liverani (Gobbi 66), Montolivo (Blasi 78.; Jorgensen (Reginaldo 54), Pazzini, Mutu

Cagliari: Chimenti; Pisano (Ferri 45), Lopez, Canini, Del Grosso; Biondini, Colucci (Langella 66), Budel; Marchini (Capone 78., Pepe, Suazo

Ref: Giannoccaro

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