Serie A: Fiorentina - Chievo [28-04-07]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 34 - 28/4/07 (19.30 UK)

Fiorentina-Chievo
Stadio Artemio Franchi

As the Serie A season enters its final stages, Fiorentina and Chievo still have a lot of work to do. The two sides meet at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence knowing that a defeat for either team would make their tasks even bigger.

The Viola have done very well to come back from their Calciopoli points deduction and now find themselves just two points away from sixth-placed Palermo and a guaranteed spot in European competition. With the Rosanero currently in freefall they have an excellent chance of snatching a place in the UEFA Cup, but they will need to keep picking up wins against opponents at the wrong end of the table if they are to banish their recent inconsistencies. After the defeat to relegation strugglers Parma, anything other than a win in this match would put severe doubts over their claim to a European spot.

The main concern for Gigliati Coach Cesare Prandelli will be the suspension to the club’s top scorer Luca Toni. However, in Giampaolo Pazzini they have a ready-made replacement, especially given his impressive performances when called upon as a substitute. The news that Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi has failed to shake off a tendon problem will also be a blow, although he should find a place on the bench. Manuel Pasqual does seem to have recovered in time to take his usual place at left-back, but midfield duo Marco Donadel and Mario Santana are both still out of the frame through long-term injury.

Chievo boss Gigi Del Neri looks set to adopt a 4-3-3 formation as he searches for the goals that could keep them in the top flight. Defender Davide Mandelli has picked up a suspension to add to Del Neri’s woes, as the Gialloblu’s growing injury list now includes the likes of Lorenzo D’Anna, Giuseppe Cozzolino, Fabio Moro, and Giuseppe Scurto. Goalkeeper Vincenzo Sicignano and versatile midfielder Michele Marcolini are both completing their recoveries from injury, but will probably have to be content with a place on the bench.

The Flying Donkeys may have qualified for the Champions League last season, albeit with a little help from the Calciopoli scandal, but it is a very different story this time around. There is only a one-point gap between the Veronese minnows and the relegation zone and, given the good form of Reggina and a resurgent Parma, there will be a few nervous faces around going into this match. Chievo have not fared well against the teams in the top third of the table and are yet to record a single win against a top-seven side this season. With time running out, Del Neri will be desperate to change that fact here.

Man on fire: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian forward just keeps on improving and will be keen to step out of Luca Toni’s shadow in his strike-partner’s absence.

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

Last season: Fiorentina 2-1 Chievo

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Potenza, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Pazienza, Liverani, Montolivo; Jorgensen, Pazzini, Mutu

Chievo (probable): Squizzi; Malago, Rickler Del Mare, Mantovani, Lanna; Sammarco, Italiano, Brighi; Pellissier, Bogdani, Semioli

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Perfect week...Lucarelli out, Toni out...and hopefully Totti will play. If he gets a goal this weekend...he title will surely be his. Fiorentina are coming of a win over Lazio...but without Toni, Mutu will have to be the hero. Good news that Pazzini is starting...i think his 15 minutes of fame is over from the England game.

[D-Kin]

Believe me, we haven't seen the best of Pazzini yet.

But yeah, it's good that he'll start.

[Forza_Roma]

He kind of reminds me of Cassano from years ago for some reason...he's all excited and happy...hope he doesn't suffer the same fate as him though...so much hype and now he's sitting on the bench.

[Diabolico]

Toni will be missed, but this is really not a bad time for him to be suspended. Chievo should be no problem for Mutu and Pazzini, and frankly I thought Pazzini's form looked better than Toni's last week.

[Forza_Roma]

I just hope Totti plays this week and scores...perfect week without Toni, Lucarelli not playing.

But Fiorentina needs this win. they have to secure a Uefa spot...it would be a shame if all the hard work of Toni and Mutu all season doesn't lead to a spot. They are four points ahead of Udinese...not secured yet!

[Forza_Roma]

Reginaldo is having a great season!

Serie A Week 34 - 28/4/07 (19.30 UK)

Fiorentina 1 - 0 Chievo
Reginaldo 64 (F)
Stadio Artemio Franchi

Fiorentina were without Luca Toni, but still saw off Chievo 1-0 with Reginaldo's splendid volley to keep their Euro hopes alive.

The Viola gave Giampaolo Pazzini his chance to shine - and practice for a more permanent place next season - as Luca Toni was suspended. With Tomas Ujfalusi also out, Martin Jorgensen played at right-back in an all-attack formation. Chievo won their first ever Serie A match at the Stadio Franchi back in August 2001, but Davide Mandelli sat out a ban.

Fiorentina had the first real chance, as Pazzini just failed to get on the end of Reginaldo's cross from the right. Reginaldo then got away from Franco Semioli to catch a Fabio Liverani free kick, but he was flagged offside.

Pazzini had penalty appeals waved away for Mantovani's shirt-tug and Liverani's free kick curled inches wide of the near post.

Dario Dainelli attempted an ambitious overhead kick, but only succeeded in kicking Marco Malago' in the head.

Adrian Mutu exchanged passes with Reginaldo for a looping header over the bar, though Vincenzo Italiano's set-piece found Rickler for a dangerous Flying Donkeys opportunity.

Another Mutu effort from distance flashed across the face of goal from 25 metres and after the break Riccardo Montolivo's chest and volley was well wide.

Montolivo was improving as the game wore on and cut back for Mutu's shot that was charged down.

Liverani's inspired first time pass over the defence set Pazzini running, though Lorenzo Squizzi did well to rush out and head clear outside his area.

Chievo substituted Kamil Kosowski tested Sebastien Frey with a snapshot, but it was Fiorentina who eventually took the lead on 64 minutes.

Liverani's sweeping cross went past Pazzini in the centre, but fell kindly for a spectacular Reginaldo volley at the back post. The finish with the inside of his right foot looped round Squizzi and into the far top corner.

Montolivo's low angled drive skimmed the far post and Malago' did well to charge down a Mutu counter.

Reginaldo thought he had doubled his tally on 76 minutes when he ran on to a Montolivo pass and rolled the ball past Squizzi, but it was ruled out for a very tight offside decision.

Pazzini turned his marker and was running into the area when Rickler hauled him down by his shirt on the very edge of the box. Mutu's resulting free kick was deflected over off the wall.

Fiorentina: Frey; Jorgensen, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Pazienza, Liverani, Montolivo; Reginaldo (Blasi 81), Pazzini, Mutu
Chievo: Squizzi;Malagò, Rickler, Mantovani, Lanna, Sammarco, Italiano (Cesar Prates 77), Brighi, Pellissier, Obinna (Bogdani 53), Semioli (Kosowski 50)
Ref: Banti

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

A win without Toni, maybe a sign of things to come.....

[Forza_Roma]

He was sitting in the crowd...dressed nice too...nice shirt he had on.

[Trim]

Good win for Fiorentina, without Luca, interesting..