Fiorentina Press:Cesare: I’ll be Viola’s Ferguson

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Mutu explains renaissance Thursday 11 October, 2007

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Fiorentina star striker Adrian Mutu believes stability in his personal life has enabled him to reinvent himself as a player.

The Romanian ace has become the Viola’s key man with five goals so far this term to add to last season’s 16-goal haul.

Things have changed completely from 2003 when Mutu was sacked by Chelsea after testing positive for cocaine and faced a seven-month ban from football.

“I was very proud when I signed for Chelsea, but I lost my confidence little by little and the end of my time in England was very difficult,” he told Reuters.

“My present family has helped me to reach the peak of my form and become stronger on the field than when I was playing for Chelsea.

“In the last few years I have gone from being a drug case to having a wonderful wife and two children.

“Now I know that Mutu as a person is not important and that what Mutu does on the pitch and in day-to-day life is what really counts.”

The 28-year-old is set to play for Romania in their crunch Group G Euro 2008 qualifier against Holland on Saturday.

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Rossi hopes for golden century Tuesday 23 October, 2007

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Lazio boss Delio Rossi is preparing for his 100th game on the Biancocelesti bench and believes his injury-hit side can upset Werder Bremen.

The capital club travel to Germany tomorrow for a crucial Champions League clash, but they will be without many of their key men.

Star midfielders Massimo Mutarelli and Stefano Mauri are set to miss out, while Valon Behrami and last weekend’s goal hero Goran Pandev also look unlikely to shake off knocks.

Despite their injury woes, all four men feature in the squad to travel to Bremen, but it is unclear whether any will be fit enough to feature.

“We have had an injury crisis since the start of the season and there are two choices – cry about it and feel sorry for ourselves or get on with it,” Rossi stated.

“It’s normal to have knocks when you play every three days, but at least they aren’t muscular problems. With Lazio you live day to day and anything can happen at any time.

“I’m expecting an open game. We are playing against a strong side, but we will play in our way, We aren’t the kind of team who play safely and guarantee draws.

“Werder are a physical squad with some special talents like Torsten Frings and Diego, but I believe in the men at my disposal.”

Rossi also spoke about his personal achievement of surviving to manage his 100th game in the pressure cooker of the Stado Olimpico,

“I’m proud because this is a prestigious post,” he grinned.

“I want to thank everyone, especially those who have always kept faith in me. Sometimes you need faith because you can’t always rely on results.

Lazio have already drawn with Olympiacos and Real Madrid and three points from their trip to the Weserstadion would be invaluable.

Lazio squad: Ballotta, Baronio, Behrami, Del Nero, De Silvestri, Firmani, Kolarov, Makinwa, Manfredini, Meghni, Mudingayi, Musiera, Mutarelli, Pandev, Rocchi, Scaloni, Stendardo, Tare, Zauri

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Ujfalusi ponders next move Monday 24 December, 2007

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Tomas Ujfalusi has admitted that he’s unsure whether he will remain with or leave Fiorentina at the end of the season.

The defender is only contracted to the Viola until June and extension talks have yet to be successfully concluded.

Although the club have admitted that they want to keep him, the Czech Republic stopper has conceded that anything could happen.

“I’ll have a big say in whether I stay or go,” the 29-year-old is quoted as saying. “I would say it was 50-50 at the minute.

“My agent and I are presently in negotiations with the club and we are continuing in our efforts to find an agreement.”

The former Hamburg stopper will be an attractive transfer target during the summer of 2008 if he is available on a Bosman.

He can play as a full-back, as well as in the centre, and has been a key element in the plans of boss Cesare Prandelli.

The big Italian clubs have been unsurprisingly associated with a swoop, even if sides in England and Spain are keen.

Recent rumours claim that Sevilla are in a great position to land the defender if he decides on a future away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

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Cacia begins Fiorentina adventure Friday 4 January, 2008

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Fiorentina's new recruit Daniele Cacia has met up with his new teammates and isn’t afraid of the competition for places. “I’m here to learn.”

The former Italy Under-17 and Under-19 striker agreed a deal to move from Serie B outfit Piacenza in the summer and is now able to make the switch.

Cacia has a prolific record for the Papaveri in the Cadetti with 32 goals in 65 games and is relishing the chance to shine on the big stage.

“I want to thank everyone for the welcome they have given me,” he beamed at the Gigliati’s camp in Marbella.

“Everyone has been fantastic. I arrive in Florence with great respect for my teammates and a feeling of humility.”

The new boy will have to compete with Giampaolo Pazzini, Adrian Mutu and Christian Vieri for a place in the side, but he is ready to be patient.

“I’m here to learn,” he explained. “Of course there are some great players ahead of me in the pecking order, but I will wait for my chance and try and take full advantage of it. I think that eventually I can be a lead striker.”

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Prandelli's hardest choice Saturday 5 January, 2008

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Fiorentina Coach Cesare Prandelli has broken his silence on the dark days where he considered leaving football to nurse his wife through her fatal illness.


The tactician’s story touched hearts all over Italy and beyond when his wife Manuela passed away after losing her battle with cancer.


“I was very moved by the way everyone reacted,” he admitted, with particular reference to the minute’s silence and beautiful gestures from the Viola fans at the Stadio Franchi upon his return to work.


Prandelli had resigned from the Roma job just weeks before the start of the season when his wife was first diagnosed, but remained on the Fiorentina bench when the disease returned.


“I never thought of quitting. Manuela was ill, but she was the first one to tell me to get out there on to the pitch. At most I considered taking another break for a while, but she didn’t want me to.”


That day of his return saw Inter win 2-0 at the Stadio Franchi and after the final whistle the two teams shook hands and applauded each other in a sign of respect.


It has now been appropriated and will be demanded of all sides from later this season, but it is a rule change that Prandelli disagrees with.


“That was a spontaneous moment that came from within us, it wasn’t imposed from outside. This is an odd country and so immediately someone tried to use it to suit their own ends. There should not be obligatory handshakes.”


Prandelli returns to work with Fiorentina after the Christmas break and is looking at his targets for the campaign.


“Considering we were fourth in 2006 and third in 2007 – discounting the Calciopoli penalties – then our objective must be the Champions League spots.”

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Pazzini hits out at Press Thursday 17 January, 2008

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Fiorentina’s goal hero against Ascoli last night Giampaolo Pazzini has hit out at the peninsula’s Press.

The 23-year-old has long been regarded as a great striking prospect, but he has taken a backseat somewhat in the Viola’s recent success and received some harsh Press criticism.

Wednesday’s brace guided the Tuscans past Serie B outfit Ascoli in the Coppa Italia last 16 and Pazzini seemed angry in his celebration.

“I don’t have it in for the fans, but for another part of the football world that have changed their opinion of me in recent months,” he explained.

“I take responsibility for my form and I have been strengthened by the critics, but I am a different Pazzini to the man I used to be and I will go forward from here.

“I am training at my best so I need to prove myself on the pitch not for the Coach’s sake or because there are players competing for my place, but for myself,” the No 29 continued.

“I don’t know why I didn’t celebrate much tonight, but I know that I gave my all to help the side and my teammates. I really wanted to play well and I am happy with my performance.”

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Mutu avoids ‘dive’ ban Tuesday 22 January, 2008

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Fiorentina striking star Adrian Mutu has avoided suspension for a suspected dive against Torino last weekend.

The Romanian won a penalty after Granata defender Salvatore Lanna crossed his path, but there seemed to be little to no contact.

Judge Gianpaolo Tosel reviewed video evidence today but decided that a trip could not be ruled out and Mutu won’t face any action.

Napoli boss Edy Reja didn’t get off so lightly and is banned from the bench for a game after his outburst at referee Christian Brighi during the Vesuviani’s 2-2 draw with Lazio.

The suspensions in full:

Three games: Stendardo (Lazio)

One game: Blasi (Napoli), Couto (Parma), Campagnaro (Sampdoria), Corini (Torino), Cozza (Reggina), Criscito (Genoa), Mutarelli (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Sardo (Catania)

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Cesare expects Cup commitment Wednesday 23 January, 2008

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Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli is focused on tomorrow night’s Coppa Italia quarter-final against Lazio and believes his side can find another gear.

The Viola had a successful first half of the season and have progressed in the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia while holding fourth place in Serie A.

Prandelli has always insisted that Cup glory is one of his main aims and he is set to field a strong side against Lazio.

“It will be an entertaining and difficult game,” he told journalists after training.

“I won’t be changing my formation and I will have everyone available, except for Alessandro Gamberini, Tomas Ujfalusi, Christian Vieri and Mario Santana.

“Lazio have good players as well as a top Coach and they will be very focused on the game.

“The Coppa Italia doesn’t hold such appeal for the biggest sides in the early stages, but towards the end everyone wants the trophy and you can see the hunger.

“I know that all my players want to play and I hope that they will show that on the pitch.

“If we continue working hard and keep this mentality, there is so much room for improvement.”

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Cesare's Golden reign continues Monday 4 February, 2008

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Fiorentina’s Cesare Prandelli has retained the prestigious Panchina d’Oro – Golden Bench – award ahead of Genoa’s Gian Piero Gasperini.

The news may be scant consolation after yesterday’s key defeat against Milan, but Prandelli has been rewarded for his efforts in leading the Viola to sixth place last term, despite a 15-point penalty.

“I want to thank everyone and dedicate this to Salvatore Garritano – a colleague who is going through a tough time,” the Gigliati tactician declared after being presented the honour by FIGC President Giancarlo Abete.

Garritano is a former Atalanta, Bologna and Sampdoria striker who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia.

The honour is voted by all the Italy’s Coaches and was decided upon at a meeting in Coverciano.

Gasperini secured second place and a special distinction for leading Genoa to promotion from Serie B.

The Pagliari brothers triumphed in the inaugural Serie C edition of the awards.

Dino won first place for guiding Ravenna up to the Cadetti and Giovanni clinched second for leading Foligno to the Serie C2B title.

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Mutu fears ligame

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Adrian Mutu will undergo tests tomorrow to see the extent of a knee ligament injury sustained against Roma.

The Romanian striker was stretchered off during today’s 1-0 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico, spraining his left leg.

“Mutu sustained a sprain to the left knee with an effect on the internal compartment, in particular the collateral medial ligament,” read a statement released by Fiorentina.

“The entity of the damage will be better quantified during the tests that will be held tomorrow.”

Coach Cesare Prandelli admitted there were fears Mutu could be out for some time with this injury.

“He feels a little pain in the collateral ligament, but we hope it is only a bruise because it was a very hard sprain.”

http://="http://www.channel4.com/spo...ia/feb24n.htmlnt damage Sunday 24 February, 2008

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Mutu proud of improving Viola Monday 17 March, 2008

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Fiorentina striking star Adrian Mutu thinks the Viola are demonstrating a newfound maturity as they balance domestic and European priorities.

The Tuscans strengthened their hold on fourth place with an assured win over Genoa, while fifth-placed Milan came unstuck at Roma.

Having progressed to the UEFA Cup quarter-finals with a penalty shootout win over Everton in midweek, the fixtures keep coming thick and fast for Cesare Prandelli’s men, but Mutu believes they are up to the test.

“Sunday was a great day and it was very important to us,” the former Chelsea man said. “We found the net and we won – you can’t ask any more than that.”

Mutu was the star of the show, but his teammates managed to cope without him during his period on the sidelines with a knee injury.

“This side has shown that it can do well with or without me,” Mutu insisted. “In reality everyone here is interchangeable.

“It is a sign of maturity. Now we are used to playing every three days – it is tiring but at the moment it’s also very satisfying.

“After the euphoria of qualifying for the next round of the UEFA Cup, we didn’t feel tired.

“A four point lead over Milan is worth something but there are 10 games left and anything can happen.”

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Cesare: I’ll be Viola’s Ferguson Friday 28 March, 2008

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Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli insists that he won’t be lured away from the Stadio Franchi, as he wants to be “the Viola’s Sir Alex Ferguson.”

Prandelli is arguably Italy’s most respected tactician after building a top-five side from scratch in Tuscany.

In recent weeks, the former Parma man has been touted as a possible replacement for Roberto Mancini at Inter, but he seems to have no intention of quitting his current job.

“What do I think about becoming Fiorentina’s Ferguson? It really appeals to me,” Prandelli enthused in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I want to see continuity through the growth and management of youth and talent and the creation of a staff that expands and evolves.

“In Italy it is more difficult to do this than it is elsewhere, but Florence has great expectations and I would like to turn this into a winning city. I want to win here.”

Prandelli is under contract with Fiorentina until 2011, but some sources feel that, rather than Inter, he could be in the frame for the Azzurri job should Roberto Donadoni fail to deliver at Euro 2008.

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Mutu: I can be Viola legend Thursday 3 April, 2008

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Fiorentina striking star Adrian Mutu believes he is on the same level as former Viola heroes Gabriel Batistuta and Luca Toni.

The Romanian hitman will play a vital role for the Tuscans as they face PSV in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals first leg this evening.

With 15 goals already to his name this term to add to last season’s haul of 16, the former Chelsea man has the freedom of Florence.

“Great strikers like Toni and Batistuta have played in Florence and I feel like one of them,” he stressed.

“Florence is a special city – the fans always help the team and give us players a unique welcome.”

The next month will be crucial for the Gigliati, as they try to maintain fourth place while chasing European glory.

“We are on the right track to reach important objectives,” Mutu insisted. “We all want to take this club forward in Europe and also to finish fourth.

“There is a real desire to achieve – we are very ambitious. We are relaxed and confident in our abilities.

“The aim now is to get over the defeat against Udinese last weekend that perhaps we didn’t deserve.

“I didn’t play, but I watched my teammates and prepared for the next game. Sometimes playing every three days is an advantage.”

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