Fiorentina - Siena 15/4/07 FT 1-0

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 32 - 15/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Fiorentina - Siena
Stadio Franchi One of the season’s most important derbies takes place at Fiorentina’s Stadio Artemio Franchi this weekend, with the Champions League chasing Viola going up against relegation battlers Siena. Far more than Tuscan bragging rights are at stake here, with Cesare Prandelli’s side trailing current fourth place side Palermo by seven points, while the Bianconeri are just six points clear of the drop zone.

The fact that the Florence-based outfit are anywhere near qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition is remarkable. After all, if you add on the 15 points they were deducted in the Calciopoli scandal then they would be putting pressure on Roma to secure second spot behind Inter. As it is, a place in the UEFA Cup would certainly represent an excellent campaign for Luca Toni and Co, even if they will still be setting their sights slightly higher.

A comfortable win over basement boys Ascoli last weekend was just the result Fiorentina needed after a run of three straight draws, but Prandelli is clearly not ready to rest on his laurels. He is aided by the return from suspension of Manuel Pasqual and Manuele Blasi, who are set to come into the side in place of Alessandro Potenza and Michele Pazienza. Dario Dainelli and Martin Jorgensen are also tipped to return after missing the Ascoli drubbing, with Per Kroldrup and Reginaldo – who were both on target last weekend – dropping to the bench.

Perennial relegation battlers Siena are also set to ring the changes, despite a battling 2-2 draw against Udinese in their previous match. In a battle of the Bianconeri, the Friuliani were cruising thanks to a two-goal lead, but they were pegged back by Mario Beretta’s side in the second half. Massimo Maccarone and Paolo Negro were the men who netted after coming on in the second half, but both will have to settle for a bench role again.

However, there looks set to be big changes in the middle of the park. Veteran Brazilian Alberto, Ezio Brevi and Daniele Galloppa are tipped to miss out. Set to come in as their replacements are Paul Codrea, Simone Vergassola and Roman Eremenko. Beretta will be hoping that the newcomers can do a number on the Viola’s talented midfield, otherwise it could prove to be a very long afternoon…

Man on fire: Luca Toni (Fiorentina) – His recent performances for club and country have shown why Inter are so keen to bring him into their already stunning line-up.

Last season: Fiorentina 2-1 Siena

Form guide: Fiorentina (W D D D W) Siena (D L L W D)
Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Blasi, Liverani, Montolivo; Mutu, Toni, Jorgensen
Siena (probable): Manninger; Bertotto, Rinaudo, Portanova, Molinaro; Antonini, Alberto, Brevi, Galloppa; Cozza, Frick
Ref: To follow...

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[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Fiorentina. Cross Regenaldo, Toni slips and goes right to Mutu for the header. Totti must of been cursing Toni at that moment

[Forza_Roma]

HT 1-0 Fiorentina

[Forza_Roma]

FT 1-0 Fiorentina

[Forza_Roma]

Mutu the hero...

Serie A Week 32 - 15/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Fiorentina 1 - 0 Siena
Mutu 42 (F)
Stadio Franchi

Despite coming under a lot of pressure and ending in 10 men, Fiorentina managed to beat local rivals Siena with an Adrian Mutu header.

The Tuscan derby saw teams on opposite ends of the table, as the Viola are in the hunt for a European spot, while Robur battle against the drop. Manuel Pasqual and Manuele Blasi returned from bans. This was only the third top flight edition of this fixture with a 0-0 draw and 2-1 home win.

Enrico Chiesa returned to face his former club and within 20 seconds his screamer had brought a splendid flying save out of Sebastien Frey.

Veteran Chiesa continued to cause problems, as his shot from the edge of the box whistled past the upright.

Siena were pouring forward, as Frey fingertipped a Daniele Corvia effort on to the crossbar and from the resulting corner kick Gastaldello nodded just wide.

Luca Toni put the ball in the back of the net, but he was offside when Adrian Mutu's cross came in. Mutu's spin and shot was too weak to trouble Alex Manninger.

Despite all the pressure, Siena went behind on the stroke of half-time. Reginaldo's deep cross saw Toni slip in the six yard box, but this just left space for the on-rushing Mutu to nod in.

Fiorentina nearly doubled their lead on 57 minutes, as an initial Mutu effort was parried off Manninger's outstretched foot and Riccardo Montolivo's follow-up cleared off the line by Daniele Portanova.

Simone Vergassola's volley was over from a promising position and Siena Coach Mario Beretta was sent off for dissent on 68 minutes. The referee then dismissed Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini. Already on a yellow card, he foolishly stood right in front of a free kick to slow down play and a second booking was inevitable.

Manninger pushed a Toni cross-shot out for a corner.

Fiorentina: Frey; Potenza, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Liverani (Kroldrup 70), Pazienza, Montolivo (Blasi 77); Reginaldo (Jorgensen 54), Mutu, Toni

Siena: Manninger; Negro, Gastaldello, Portanova, Molinaro; Alberto (Cozza 60), Vergassola, Codrea (Galloppa 65), Antonini; Chiesa, Corvia

Ref: Farina

Sent off: Gamberini 69 (F)

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