Fiorentina Press/Injury News

[dukeofdavinci]

Cesare awaits Viola kick-off Thursday 17 July, 2008

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Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli can’t wait for the season to start as he struggles through his first summer since the tragic loss of his wife.

Prandelli is one of the most popular Coaches in Italian football and is renowned for his sporting nature.

And the whole calcio world rallied round the Viola tactician when his wife Manuela lost her battle against cancer last November.

Without the constant coaching demands to keep him busy, Prandelli has found the summer a tough time.

“I am a tortured soul,” Prandelli admitted. “Luckily I have my sons around me and have been able to spend time with friends in Milan and Sardinia.

“Basically I have kept busy because I don’t want to stop, but I can’t wait to get the season started with my team.”

Prandelli will finally have the chance to impress in the Champions League after last season’s dramatic fourth-placed finish, but he is still focused on domestic matters.

“We don’t need to put new pressures on ourselves, even though we have had three years of great results and have strengthened this summer,” he said.

“It would be good if Nicolas Burdisso arrived, but I won’t make demands due to respect for the squad.

“Inter remain the side to beat in Serie A, but Juventus have reinforced and will be very strong.

Roma have their strengths and Milan are becoming ever more Brazilian, while Sampdoria, Palermo and Udinese will also be thereabouts.”

Fiorentina's first pre-season game is against Castelrotto on July 20.

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[dukeofdavinci]

Jovetic feels Viola joy Sunday 27 July, 2008

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Fiorentina starlet Stevan Jovetic shone in summer friendlies and is confident he’ll grow into a champion in Tuscany.

The 18-year-old Montenegrin international was a £5m summer signing from Partizan Belgrade and has already impressed the fans with his performances.


“I can play anywhere, as a Trequartista or even a centre-forward. It is up to the Coach to decide. The one place I won’t play is on the left, as that spot belongs to Adrian Mutu,” he grinned.


“I am very happy with how pre-season training has gone so far, as it proved to me I made the right choice and the city welcomed me in the best possible way.


“I chose Fiorentina because here there is a wonderful mixture of experience and youth. I also knew that the Coach, Cesare Prandelli, would guarantee my professional growth and improvement.”


Jovetic is expected to feature in the Champions League preliminary round in August.


“My dream is to get past that obstacle and qualify for the group phase,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.


“As for Serie A, only the results on the field will tell us which team is strongest. I can say that Fiorentina are the happiest side out there.”

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[dukeofdavinci]

Prandelli: Viola not Scudetto material Tuesday 29 July, 2008

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Cesare Prandelli is not letting anyone get ahead of themselves this season. “This Fiorentina side cannot win the Scudetto.”

They beat Milan to fourth place and have reinforced their squad with the arrival of Alberto Gilardino and Stevan Jovetic, making them dark horses for the title.

“We're not ready to win the Scudetto, I can comfortably spell that out in capital letters, but we can cause quite a few problems for everyone else.

“I do hope we will play out the season near the top of the table yet again.”

There were fears they would give in to Roma's £18m offer for Adrian Mutu, but after a deal was agreed the club pulled the plug.

“I was not particularly stressed during that whole incident, especially as the administration had said in previous months that contracts should be respected. I compliment them for having kept their word.

“Mutu is happy to stay and I did not have to intervene in the matter. It was purely a decision that came down to the club. All I did was give a technical opinion.”

Fiorentina have the opportunity to test out their form ahead of the Champions League preliminary round in tomorrow's high-profile friendly with Barcelona.

“We have to thank the fans, because they have come out in droves. It's not easy to get 40,000 people in the stadium on July 30, the height of summer.

“As well as the desire to improve, we are also curious to see such a great team up close. Our approach tomorrow evening must be aimed at improving our fitness levels.

“We're not in great shape yet and it will be tough to keep the ball against Barcelona, but we have enough healthy arrogance to give it a go.

“We must be enthusiastic and even if we lose heavily, it is not important.”

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[dukeofdavinci]

Viola made Messi impression Thursday 31 July, 2008

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Barcelona star Lionel Messi has praised Fiorentina after last night’s Stadio Artemio Franchi friendly.

The Viola were beaten 3-1 by the Catalan giants with Messi on inspired form for the visitors.

The Argentine striker was given a standing ovation by the home fans and reciprocated the Tuscan public’s warm feelings.

“Italian football has always fascinated me,” Messi revealed. “It is always a pleasure to play here in the country where Diego Maradona dazzled people with his football.

“What did I think of Fiorentina? In my opinion they are a side that deserve to play in the Champions League and they have great fans who give them the support they deserve.”

Messi also discussed his hope of playing at this summer’s Olympic Games, but he fears that Barça may stand in his way.

“I want to have an Olympic adventure, but I don’t want to cause problems with my club,” he stressed.

“I really want to take part in the competition because I know that it is unique, but I have to think about Barcelona’s needs.”

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[skeeta]

Originally Posted by dukeofdavinci

“It would be good if Nicolas Burdisso arrived"

Burdisso is inconsistent even for an Inter player. He was suprisingly impressive the season before last, particularly with his heading of the ball (both in defence and on set pieces), but seems never to have really recovered from his post-Valencia suspension. He is also very definitely more comfortable in the centre than as a fullback. Fiorentina's interest is as best lukewarm (and that was before they signed Comotto and Zauri); the English suggestions sound very much like the default ones here for a player of that quality.

[dukeofdavinci]

Prandelli: Work to be done Thursday 7 August, 2008

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Cesare Prandelli insists that his Fiorentina side have a lot to do after last night’s 3-1 win over Romanian minnows Progresul Bucharest.

Last season’s fourth-placed side were expected to make short work of a Romanian Second Division outfit in Viareggio.

There were some positive signs and new boy Alberto Gilardino impressed, but Prandelli was far from delighted.

“In the first half we weren’t proactive enough and we played too much on the edge of the offside trap,” he lamented.

“When you play with three strikers is difficult for the midfield if two of the three don’t get back.

“It’s important that we pressurise the opponents more when they are on the ball. After the break we used the ball better and we pressed their players more.

“I prefer to look at the things that aren’t good though and I will look over those with the players in the next few days. I’m not satisfied but there were some good things on show.

“We are just working towards the objective of getting through the Champions League preliminary game.”

Peruvian international Juan Manuel Vargas made his first outing in the Viola shirt and his new boss was pleased with his efforts.

“Vargas is very good with the ball at his feet, even if he hasn’t been put in his favoured position he still looks brilliant,” Prandelli enthused.

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[dukeofdavinci]

Mutu: I didn't notice injury Wednesday 20 August, 2008

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Fiorentina ace Adrian Mutu has relived the elbow injury that looks set to rule him out of the start of the season.

After rejecting an £18m bid from Roma this summer, the Viola expected to have Mutu at their disposal for their Serie A opener against Juventus.

But disaster struck when Mutu fell awkwardly while training with Romania's national side preparing for tonight's friendly against Latvia.

“I injured myself without realising it,” the former Chelsea man explained to Sports.Ro.

“In fact I continued to train as if nothing had happened and then the pain suddenly hit me.

“This kind of thing is part and parcel of the life of a professional footballer. I have dislocated my elbow and now I have a cast.”

Mutu will miss Fiorentina's Champions League preliminary second leg against Slavia Prague but could return for August 31's grudge match against Juventus.

[dukeofdavinci]

Sacchi hails rise of Fiorentina
Saturday 23 August, 2008
Arrigo Sacchi explains why Fiorentina are one of the Scudetto contenders and “have joined the big four” of Serie A.

“The Viola have by right entered into the pantheon of Italian football,” wrote the former Milan, Parma and Italy Coach in the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“We must compliment this club for their illuminating planning, the introduction of directors at the highest level and the signing of Cesare Prandelli. These factors propelled them towards their rebirth.”

Fiorentina had been in Serie C as recently as 2002 following their bankruptcy, but new owners Diego and Andrea Della Valle have taken them back into the Champions League.

“The Della Valle brought in managerial competence, economic stability and a futuristic strategy,” continued Sacchi.

“They invested rather than spent and did not make the mistake of assuming they knew everything about the sport, calling instead on the advice of experienced collaborators.

“They are working for the present and the future without draining themselves dry, doing so by focusing on a productive youth system.

“Today Fiorentina have joined the big four of Serie A: Inter, Roma, Juventus and Milan.”

However, the step up from fourth to title contenders is a large one, especially now that they are back in Europe.

“Fiorentina could be the big surprise of the Scudetto race, assuming of course that the Champions League does not take too much out of them.

“The club and players don’t know much about this competition and could pay the price in Serie A. As for the squad, perhaps they still need a technically-gifted defender.”

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[dukeofdavinci]

Gila plays down Viola rebirth Monday 22 September, 2008

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Alberto Gilardino is enjoying his return to form at Fiorentina but has played down talk of a renaissance.

After a prolific spell at Parma under current Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli, Gilardino earned a move to Milan, but he struggled to make his mark at San Siro.

But Gila is back on track with the Viola and has already erased memories of a miserable 2007-08 campaign.

“I didn't play much at Milan and here under Prandelli things are different,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“I don't want to talk about a renaissance and I don't like it when people describe me as a 'rediscovered player'.

“But I am really happy that I have found my form again and I'm back in the habit of scoring. I feel good and I want to be an important player.

“Am I a leader? No, the secret of our group is that everyone is equally important.”

Gila concluded by paying tribute to Gigliati young gun Stevan Jovetic, a player many have tipped for the top.

“It's great playing alongside Jovetic because he is a player of such great quality,” he said.

Gilardino scored the only goal of the game as Fiorentina edged out Bologna last weekend.

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[dukeofdavinci]

Prandelli: My worst defeat Wednesday 24 September, 2008

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Cesare Prandelli concedes this was “the worst defeat in three years” for Fiorentina and they have to rediscover their spirit.

The Viola have just one win under their belts in Serie A so far this season, drawing with Juventus and losing to both Napoli and Lazio.


Tonight’s 3-0 demolition at the Stadio Olimpico highlighted some major problems in the Tuscan squad.


“We have to praise Lazio for their excellent performance, but this was certainly our worst defeat in my three years here,” confessed Prandelli.


“We’ve got to find our centre again and keep our feet on the ground. There are some things we need to work on, for example the cohesion between the newly arrived players and the old guard.”


With just four points from as many games, Fiorentina are hovering above the drop zone along with Roma and Lecce.


“We need a reaction from the whole team, coming together as one to fight for every ball. This is a tricky situation.


“In the past the team spirit had ensured we could overcome difficult moments, so we have to rediscover that spirit.”

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[dukeofdavinci]

Alberto explains Viola key Saturday 27 September, 2008

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Alberto Gilardino reveals unity was the key to escaping Fiorentina’s crisis, while Gian Piero Gasperini admits the result was right.

“It was very important to win tonight, as we were attacked after the defeat to Lazio, but the squad remained united and solid at all times,” explained the striker after a 1-0 victory over Genoa.


“We are only fighting for the good of Fiorentina and these are very important points in the bag.”


The win was secured thanks to a splendid goal from Gilardino, who has now netted in all three of their home games.


“I did well to turn and was happy to see the ball in the back of the net. Every now and then it does us good to get shouted at by the Coach. We all cleared everything up in the locker room and will now focus on the Champions League.”


Genoa had a good opportunity to equalise in stoppages, but even Coach Gasperini admits they did not do enough at the Stadio Franchi.


“It’s a shame, but it is a result that Fiorentina deserve,” said the Grifone boss.


“We played well today and against sides like this the outcome is always in the balance. We were very careful in the first half, then after the break it was more vivacious and open.


“That was our tactic, to close Fiorentina down and have time to give our best in the second half, but Gilardino scored a great goal.”

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[dukeofdavinci]

Pazzini's Florentine frustration Friday 10 October, 2008

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Fiorentina forward Giampaolo Pazzini has admitted his frustration at a lack of first-team opportunities in Tuscany.

A tantalising prospect at Under-21 level, Pazzini was seen by some as the successor to Luca Toni at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

However, his total of nine goals last season looks modest as new recruit Alberto Gilardino already has four to his name this term.

With Adrian Mutu, Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Stevan Jovetic fighting him for a shirt, Pazzini is yet to start a game during this campaign and is tiring of the role of substitute.

“I'm calmly irate,” he confessed to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Obviously nobody enjoys sitting on the bench, but I'm not the kind of person to cause a fuss because of it.

“It was different in the past and I would have some really miserable times, but now I am just motivated to work and improve.

“I miss the pleasure of playing but I have learned to be patient. I grew last term because I was a kid before and now I know how to help the team.

“Gilardino is doing great but my time will come and I hope to hit a load of goals this season and hopefully get off the mark in Europe.”

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