Fiorentina 07-08 Preseason

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Friendlies: Bojinov wins for Viola Friday 27 July, 2007

Valeri Bojinov was on target as Fiorentina beat Veneto Team 3-2, while Genoa had mixed results in the Pavia Tournament.

The friendly season continues and the Viola reshuffled their pack for a test against a local side this evening.

Matthias Lepiller scored twice, but Bojinov netted the winner despite the fact he is on his way out of the club.

The Bulgarian started in a trident attack with Lepiller and former Arsenal youngster Arturo Lupoli.

The main squad will be in action on Saturday against Larissa with Giampaolo Pazzini flanked by Adrian Mutu and Franco Semioli.

Genoa took part in the Pavia Tournament today with mixed results, as they saw off the home side 3-0 with Marco Borriello’s double and a Danilo strike.

In the second mini-match, the Grifone suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Legnano.


Fiorentina: Lupatelli, Vanden Borre (Montolivo), Tagliani, Kroldrup, Balzaretti, Potenza, Montolivo (Kuzmanovic), Donadel (Liverani), Bojinov, Lepiller (Pasqual), Lupoli

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Friendlies: Mutu on the double Sunday 5 August, 2007

Adrian Mutu scored both goals in Fiorentina’s friendly victory, but Christian Vieri was out of action.

The Romanian proved decisive in the 2-0 win over Figline, as he netted a brace in this pre-season test.

The opener was a penalty kick earned by Under-21 international Giampaolo Pazzini, while Riccardo Montolivo set up the second for Mutu – a delightful lob.

Former Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, as he rattled the crossbar late on.

In the first half Cesare Prandelli used the 4-2-3-1 system, but in the second he tested out the 4-3-3 with Massimo Gobbi, Kuzmanovic and Pazzini upfront.

Vieri did not take part in this match, but according to Coach Prandelli, he is expected to feature in next Wednesday’s match between the senior and youth team Fiorentina sides.

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Friendlies: Vieri nets on Viola debut Wednesday 8 August, 2007

Christian Vieri took just 10 minutes to score his first goal for Fiorentina, but there was a nasty injury for Federico Balzaretti.

This evening the Tuscan team had its traditional match against the youth side and the seniors celebrated the debut of summer signing Vieri with a 5-0 win.

Bobo stepped on to the field in place of Giampaolo Pazzini in the second half and within 10 minutes had hit the back of the net by converting a penalty for a foul on Nocciolini.

In a touching gesture, when the spot-kick was awarded it was the rest of the team that suggested Vieri step up.

Cesare Prandelli fielded a first half line-up with the 4-2-3-1 system headed by Under-21 international Pazzini.

The squad looked tired from pre-season training regimes and didn’t break through until the 40th minute, when Pazzini turned in a Franco Semioli corner kick, although some say Adrian Mutu got the final touch.

There were massive changes at the break and Pazzini found the net again before making way for ‘new boy’ Vieri, who scored the penalty and also hit the woodwork in another move.

Young French forward Lepiller’s shot from the edge of the area and Fabio Liverani’s solo effort also got on the scoresheet in the 5-0 victory.

There are concerns over Balzaretti, who was stretchered off during the second half and taken straight to hospital at nearby Borgo San Lorenzo.

The former Juventus defender required stitches to a deep cut on his right thigh and there are fears he may also have damaged the muscle.

First half: Frey, Potenza, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual, Donadel, Pazienza, Gobbi, Semioli, Mutu, Pazzini
Second half: Lupatelli, Vanden Borre, Kroldrup, Mazuch, Balzaretti, Paolucci, Liverani, Lepiller, Kuzmanovic, Nocciolini, Pazzini (Vieri 59)

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Friendlies: Mutu at the double Sunday 12 August, 2007

Fiorentina continued to experiment a 4-2-3-1 system as Adrian Mutu scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Viareggio.

The Romanian has thrived under this tactical set-up following the departure of Luca Toni – who scored for Bayern Munich on his Bundesliga debut this weekend.

Serb Zdravko Kuzmanovic was on the right side of that support trident and had a couple of good early chances.

Tomas Ujfalusi was brought down for a penalty after 30 minutes, but Mutu saw his spot-kick saved by the Viareggio goalkeeper.

He made up for it with a brace before half-time. Manuel Pasqual set up the first with a cross from the left, combining with the impressive Kuzmanovic’s backheel in the build-up.

Just three minutes later Mutu nodded a Kuzmanovic corner kick on to the upright and pounced on the loose ball to finish the job.

Prandelli reshuffled his side with Belgian Anthony Vanden Borre taking the right wing, Massimo Gobbi moving to full-back and Kuzmanovic switching to the left.

He then switched again, placing Kuzmanovic in the midfield partnership with Marco Donadel.

Substitute Christian Vieri had a few good chances saved by the goalkeeper and a possible penalty shout.

Former Arsenal starlet Arturo Lupoli also threatened with an acrobatic attempt parried by the Viareggio shot-stopper.


Fiorentina: Frey (Avramov 75), Ujfalusi (Potenza 58), Dainelli (Mazuch 83), Gamberini (Kroldrup 58), Pasqual (Vanden Borre 46), Pazienza (Donadel 58), Liverani (Lupoli 58), Kuzmanovic, Mutu (Lepiller 75), Gobbi, Pazzini (Vieri 58)

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Prandelli prepares Bilbao test Saturday 18 August, 2007

Fiorentina face Athletic Bilbao this evening and Coach Cesare Prandelli expects it to be a real test of character.

“We know that we will be put under pressure in Bilbao, but we have to start getting into the competitive match tempo,” said the tactician.

“We are facing a tough and important club, so this is a warm-up for what awaits us in Europe and Serie A. I want to see a Fiorentina of character that knows what to do on the field, combining moments of pace with greater concentration, but always keeping organised.”

Prandelli has already named his starting XI for the game, with Massimo Gobbi, Adrian Mutu and Giampaolo Pazzini upfront.

Christian Vieri, Franco Semioli, Martin Jorgensen and new signing Osvaldo have stayed behind in Florence for specialist fitness training.

“These friendly tests have been useful to understand that in moments of difficulty we do have some alternative tactical systems. For example, we are currently missing three wide players, so I tried Kuzmanovic there.”

The Viola were held back by their 15-point Calciopoli penalty last season, but still qualified for the UEFA Cup and must now prepare for their return to the continent.

“We have strengthened our character as a team and that is crucial,” added Prandelli. “We are proud to say we have improved the capabilities of our players.”

The starting XI against Athletic Bilbao this evening will be: Frey, Potenza, Pasqual, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pazienza, Donadel, Kuzmanovic, Gobbi, Mutu, Pazzini.

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