MD5: Fiorentina-Roma 26/9/07 (19.30 UK)

[Jager]

Serie A Week 5 - 26/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Fiorentina-Roma

Stadio Franchi


Fiorentina and Roma have both hit the ground running this season and will be keen to maintain their undefeated records when they meet at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. However, neither side is likely to settle for a draw after such impressive starts to their campaigns.

The Giallorossi have been in particularly fine form in the opening stages and will feel unlucky to have lost their 100 per cent record against Juventus on Sunday. Indeed, they had the chances to seal the win and would have come away with all three points if they had shown a little more composure in front of goal. With their intricate passing and lightning-quick counter-attacks, Roma will be keen to show they will be serious Scudetto contenders by beating one of their fellow early pacesetters.

Lupi Coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to make use of the larger squad at his disposal by rotating his team for this midweek game. Christian Panucci and Ludovic Giuly are both likely to return to the starting line-up, although the former is partly forced on Spalletti by the injuries to Marco Cassetti and Marco Andreolli. That means Brazilian duo Cicinho and Amantino Mancini could have to make do with a place on the bench.

Spalletti isn’t the only one likely to rotate his side with three League matches in such quick succession. Viola boss Cesare Prandelli is expected to slot Alessandro Gamberini, Massimo Gobbi and Franco Semioli into the starting XI at the expense of Mario Santana, Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Per Kroldrup, despite their win over Catania at the weekend. Martin Jorgensen and Anthony Vanden Borre are both still unavailable with the injuries they suffered in pre-season.

Fiorentina have started the season well and are keen to hold on to the top four spot they currently occupy. They returned to winning ways against Catania in Sicily following draws with Milan and Atalanta – both of whom are also undefeated this term – and are showing the potential to challenge Roma at the top of the table. Their performance in this match should give a good clue as to whether this young Viola team is ready to take on the Giallorossi and Inter.

Keep an eye on: Francesco Totti (Roma) – The capital club’s captain has started the season in sensational fashion and is at the centre of every attacking move. His prolific form in front of goal has also inspired the Giallorossi’s charge to the top of Serie A.

Last season: Fiorentina 0-0 Roma

Form guide: Fiorentina (- W D D W) Roma (- W W W D)


Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Balzaretti; Montolivo, Donadel, Gobbi; Semioli, Pazzini, Mutu

Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Taddei, Perrotta, Giuly; Totti

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Zeman backs rampant Roma Monday 24 September, 2007

Ex-Roma Coach Zdenek Zeman asserts that the Giallorossi are Scudetto challengers, but thinks they'll be tested by Fiorentina on Wednesday.

Roma have enjoyed a superb start to the new campaign and are setting the pace with 10 points despite their demanding fixture list.

After facing Juventus last weekend, the capital club’s task won’t get any easier soon as they must overcome Fiorentina and Inter before the end of the month.

However, Zeman has been impressed with the Magica’s start and thinks that they have what it takes to get between the Milan sides.

“It’s early to talk about the Scudetto after four games, but I’d say that Roma could compete with Inter and Milan for the title,” he insisted.

“I see Juventus behind them fighting with Fiorentina and Palermo for the Champions League places.

“Fiorentina are a side looking to the future. They are developing from a Luca Toni-dependent side and it will take time to adapt.”

As for Week 5’s crunch match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Wednesday evening, the Czech tactician insists that it is too close to call.

“The game will be very even without a shadow of a doubt,” he stressed.

“It is a tough start to the season with midweek fixtures and cup competitions.

"Both sides will be feeling that as they play fast football and they won’t be able to give their all for a full 90 minutes.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Who the fuck does mutu think he is? Where are his scudettos, his golden boots, hes senority...this kid is a punk, and hes dreaming if he really thinks hes better then totti!

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has challenged Roma’s Francesco Totti ahead of their Wednesday night clash by declaring that he is better than him.

The two sides meet at the Stadio Artemio Franchi with the Gigliati looking for a win to leapfrog the capital club at the head of the table.

Romanian star Mutu has enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign with three goals to his name, but Totti’s brace against Juventus took his tally to four.

However, a brash Mutu has caused antagonism ahead of the match by insisting that he is more dangerous in front of goal than Er Pupone.

“Totti is an excellent goal scorer and a team player, but I think I’m stronger and faster in the final 20 metres,” he told journalists.

While the ex-Chelsea man may be confident of outshining Totti, he did admit that Roma are fearsome opponents.

“We need to be realistic and be ready for Roma to play great football,” he admitted.

“They send five or six men forward and any one of them can score. It will be a great game to watch.

“It would be great to win on Wednesday and become leaders, but at this stage of the season that isn’t what really counts.

“I hope we keep growing as a side and can also keep picking up the points away from home.

"We are still a young team and we need to mature whereas Roma are genuine title contenders,” he concluded.

ch4

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Guess mutu wont be able to get put to shame by totti because totti is out

Francesco Totti has been ruled out of Roma’s key match with Fiorentina tomorrow night after reporting a thigh pain.

The four-goal talisman won’t make the trip to Florence as boss Luciano Spalletti doesn’t want to risk him before the Giallorossi’s crucial week with games against Inter and Manchester United.

Montenegrin forward Mirko Vucinic is set to take Totti’s place as lone striker with Ludovic Giuly playing behind.

There are also doubts over midfield ace Simone Perrotta who had a severe stomach upset last night.

Genoa-born referee Mauro Bergonzi will take charge at the Stadio Artemio Franchi

ch4..

Does this mean we get to see vucinic play in his spot, or is roma going to try a diff formation with giuly in too?

[dukeofdavinci]

thats seems a reality for now, unless perotta recovers in time we might see giuly back in his more natural position.

none the less im quite excited to see on how giuly will perform as a forward.we sure could use his creativity.

[sinoy1]

Mutu didnt say he was better overall.He said he was quicker and stronger in the final 20 meteres...which is true since he is a striker and Totti is a Attacking midfielder.Totti is above all head over heels better then Mutu Overall.He scored 26 goals last season which really questions weather or not Mutu is better then Totti in the final 20 meters

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Exactly my point though...and im just saying where does he get off saying his better then totti at anything? Some young kid thinks his shit dont stink and he starts calling out the legends of calcio saying hes better then them????Come on!

[sinoy1]

He's not young although Mutu was and still is a good player he shouldnt start beef with anyone....let alone someone whose injured....I'd make a crack joke but that would be a massive low blow

[Aladino]

Sorry to hear that Totti will miss the gam, but as long as he is back for Man Utd...

This should be one hell of a great game. A pity Rai aren't showing any of teh games this evening. GAH!! Good luck!

[LaVecchiaSignora]

FSC is playing a shit load of italian games...and ALOT of the Roma games! So im really really happy about that!

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Fiorentina and Roma have both hit the ground running this season and will be keen to maintain their undefeated records when they meet at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. However, neither side is likely to settle for a draw after such impressive starts to their campaigns.

The Giallorossi have been in particularly fine form in the opening stages and will feel unlucky to have lost their 100 per cent record against Juventus on Sunday. Indeed, they had the chances to seal the win and would have come away with all three points if they had shown a little more composure in front of goal. With their intricate passing and lightning-quick counter-attacks, Roma will be keen to show they will be serious Scudetto contenders by beating one of their fellow early pacesetters.

Lupi Coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to make use of the larger squad at his disposal by rotating his team for this midweek game. Christian Panucci and Ludovic Giuly are both likely to return to the starting line-up, although the former is partly forced on Spalletti by the injuries to Marco Cassetti and Marco Andreolli. That means Brazilian duo Cicinho and Amantino Mancini could have to make do with a place on the bench.

Spalletti isn’t the only one likely to rotate his side with three League matches in such quick succession. Viola boss Cesare Prandelli is expected to slot Alessandro Gamberini, Massimo Gobbi and Franco Semioli into the starting XI at the expense of Mario Santana, Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Per Kroldrup, despite their win over Catania at the weekend. Martin Jorgensen and Anthony Vanden Borre are both still unavailable with the injuries they suffered in pre-season.

Fiorentina have started the season well and are keen to hold on to the top four spot they currently occupy. They returned to winning ways against Catania in Sicily following draws with Milan and Atalanta – both of whom are also undefeated this term – and are showing the potential to challenge Roma at the top of the table. Their performance in this match should give a good clue as to whether this young Viola team is ready to take on the Giallorossi and Inter.

Keep an eye on: Francesco Totti (Roma) – The capital club’s captain has started the season in sensational fashion and is at the centre of every attacking move. His prolific form in front of goal has also inspired the Giallorossi’s charge to the top of Serie A.

Last season: Fiorentina 0-0 Roma

Form guide: Fiorentina (- W D D W) Roma (- W W W D)

ch4

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Fiorentina
1 Sebastian Frey
3 Dario Dainelli
2 Per Kroldrup
23 Manuel Pasqual
21 Tomas Ujfalusi
4 Marco Donadel
11 Fabio Liverani
18 Riccardo Montolivo
24 Mario Alberto Santana
10 Adrian Mutu
29 Giampaolo Pazzini
Substitutes
17 Federico Balzaretti
5 Alessandro Gamberini
19 Massimo Gobbi
22 Zdravko Kuzmanovic
12 Cristiano Lupatelli
7 Franco Semioli
32 Christian Vieri

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Fiorentina Roma
Alexander Doni 32
Philippe Mexes 5
Christian Panucci 2
Juan 4
Max Tonetto 22
Alberto Aquilani 8
Daniele De Rossi 16
Ludovic Giuly 14
Alessandro Mancini 30
Rodrigo Taddei 11
Mirko Vucinic 9
Substitutes
Ahmed Barusso 29
Matteo Brighi 33
Gianluca Curci 1
Mauro Esposito 18
Matteo Ferrari 21
Cicinho 3
David Pizarro 7

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Vucinic playing in tottis spot, and giuly in for mancini....also ferrari is in the back line looks like hes in for pannuci i think