Serie A' MD38: Fiorentina - Torino [18-05-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 38 - 18/5/08 (14.00 UK)

Torino - Fiorentina
Stadio Olimpico

Torino have now secured their place in Serie A for next season, but have vowed to do their fans proud when they host Fiorentina in a crucial game for the Champions League chase.

While Toro may not have anything left to play for, it is still very much game on for the Viola. After the wheels seemed to have fallen off on the final bend when they followed up their UEFA Cup semi-final exit with defeat to Cagliari, they were handed a lifeline by Milan’s slip at Napoli last week. That means the Gigliati are back in the driving seat in the race for Champions League qualification, knowing that their fate is in their own hands and a win in this match would guarantee them a place in Europe’s premiere club competition next term.

Coach Cesare Prandelli’s options are again slightly limited with Adrian Mutu and Marco Donadel both suspended, while injuries saw Christian Vieri, Daniele Cacia and Dario Dainelli’s seasons finish early. As a result Fiorentina should line-up with the same 11 players that beat Parma 3-1 last Sunday. That means midfielders Massimo Gobbi and Martin Jorgensen will continue as makeshift full-backs as Pablo Osvaldo and Mario Santana will take up the wide forward roles, playing off striker Giampaolo Pazzini.

Granata boss Gianni De Biasi also looks set to make as few changes as possible, rewarding the players who secured their survival last week with a swansong in front of the Stadio Olimpico crowd. The only likely change would be the absence of the suspended Marco Motta, who should be replaced by Paolo Dellafiore who came on as a substitute last week. It could be emotional game for Alessandro Rosina, who is rumoured to be on his way this summer after building his reputation with three years in Turin.

There will certainly be scenes of celebration at the Olimpico on Sunday, although bearing in mind the fans’ ambition they may be more muted than elsewhere amongst the sides to escape the relegation whirlpool. After winning their place in Serie A on the road in Livorno last week, there should be a sense of relief amongst the Toro side. However, De Biasi has insisted that his team won’t go easy on Fiorentina out of respect for Milan and the League, but he could find it hard to get the adrenaline pumping in the same way as their decisive wins over Napoli and Livorno. That lack of pressure could work as a plus point though if their opponents start to succumb to the nerves of such an important game.

Keep an eye on: Alessandro Rosina (Torino) – The attacking midfielder has been decisive for Toro with goals against Napoli and Livorno, and Rosina will be keen to give the fans something to remember as a summer move looks increasingly likely.

Last season: Torino 0-1 Fiorentina

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

Torino (probable): Sereni; Dellafiore, Di Loreto, Lanna, Pisano; Diana, Corini, Zanetti; Rosina, Di Michele; Stellone

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Jorgensen, Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Gobbi; Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Pazzini, Osvaldo

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Trim]

Forza Fiorentina!

[D-Kin]

0-0 still, into the second half.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Trim

Forza Fiorentina!

Anti-Milan?

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 38 - 18/5/08 (14.00 UK)

Torino 0 - 1 Fiorentina
Osvaldo 76 (F)
Stadio Olimpico

A stunning Daniel Pablo Osvaldo overhead kick sent Fiorentina into the Champions League for the first time in eight years.

The Viola had just one test left to pass before entering the Champions League preliminary round, as they had overtaken Milan last weekend and would qualify with a victory. Toro had nothing more to play for after securing safety with a second straight win, though Marco Motta was suspended. Fiorentina missed the banned Adrian Mutu and Marco Donadel, plus Christian Vieri and Dario Dainelli injured.

Torino hadn't won this fixture since March 2002 with a total of 36 Serie A victories to 10 for the Tuscans in 61 meetings.

In the opening 30 seconds Toro earned their first corner with a threatening Aimo Diana cross, but then Matteo Sereni needed a great save to deny Mario Alberto Santana one-on-one.

Sereni flew to palm a Santana header out from under the bar and then got down well on Giampaolo Pazzini's effort, while at the other end Sebastien Frey fingertipped a Roberto Stellone lob round the post.

Sereni fingertipped a Fabio Liverani free kick out from the top corner and from the resulting corner performed a stunning reaction save on Alessandro Gamberini's header.

Frey used his body to charge down a powerful Stellone left-foot angled drive, while Sereni also impressed with a spectacular save on Riccardo Montolivo. David Di Michele had his goal disallowed for an offside position.

News filtered through that Milan had equalised against Udinese, so the Viola put more pressure on and went close with Santana whistling wide and Osvaldo testing Sereni.

Stellone volleyed over and Diana's goal was disallowed for a very tight offside position and Frey rushed out to close down Diana again. Milan took the lead over Udinese, so on the hour mark Fiorentina suddenly found themselves in fifth place.

Alessandro Rosina forced a desperate outstretched foot save out of Frey with his right-foot angled drive from eight yards.

Fiorentina needed a victory to enter the Champions League and it took a moment of magic from Under-21 international Osvaldo. He scored with a glorious overhead kick from nine yards that slotted into the far corner.

Torino: Sereni; Dellafiore, Di Loreto, Lanna, Pisano, Diana, Corini, Grella, Di Michele, Rosina, Stellone

Fiorentina: Frey; Jorgensen, Gamberini, Ujfalusi, Gobbi, Kuzmanovic (Semioli 55), Liverani, Montolivo, Santana, Pazzini, Osvaldo

Ref: Farina

woohooo congrats to the viola's!!!im sure they can do a better job then the grandpa's at milan.well deserved.also there is the old lady back in the frey.

[azzurri]

What a way to secure CL. Great goal by Osvaldo.

[skeeta]

Osvaldo's goal was more than worthy of the Champions League spot. The Viola might be able to keep Frey and Prandelli at the Communale/Franchi for at least another year now.