MD3:Fierontina - Atlanta [16-09-07]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 3 - 16/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina - Atalanta

Stadio Franchi

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Fiorentina welcome Atalanta to the Stadio Franchi with both sides looking to defend their unbeaten starts to the season. The early international break hopefully won’t disrupt both Coaches’ preparations ahead of what should be an attacking treat for the neutrals.

Cesare Prandelli’s Viola side have started the campaign well after easily overcoming Empoli in the Tuscan derby and then battling back to return home from San Siro with an impressive point against Milan, courtesy of an equaliser by Adrian Mutu. With Luca Toni long gone, the Romanian is the key attacking figure at the Artemio Franchi and he has netted in both games this season, which has taken some of the pressure off Atalanta old boy Giampaolo Pazzini.

The big hitman isn’t the only former Bergamo-based star at Fiorentina, as Riccardo Montolivo and Christian Vieri have also pulled on the black and blue shirt. However, the former is unlikely to play any part due to injury, while the journeyman striker is tipped to start on the bench yet again. There are likely to be changes made by Prandelli though, despite the impressive display in Milan last weekend. Zradko Kuzmanovic is expected to enter the starting XI at the expense of Fabio Liverani after impressing as a substitute against the Rossoneri, while Massimo Gobbi should make way for new boy Franco Semioli to make his first start for the club.

Atalanta were expected to have a difficult start to the season after losing Coach Stefano Colantuono to Palermo in the summer, but Luigi Del Neri has enjoyed a promising beginning to his spell on the bench after a string of disappointing coaching spells since presiding over the so-called Chievo miracle. His success or failure will largely rest on Cristiano Doni’s shoulders as the re-born attacking ace continues to show why he was once an Italy international.

Doni was, however, absent from the impressive 2-0 win over Parma in Week 2, but the good news for Orobici fans is that he is expected to return against Fiorentina. Sergio Floccari, signed from relegated Messina in the summer, is expected to be the man to make way so that the ex-Mallorca star can play just off Riccardo Zampagna. Argentine Leonardo Talamonti is another player tipped to return to the side in defence with youngster Daniele Capelli set to be the unlucky man to miss out. Thomas Manfredini remains sidelined until the beginning of November after he was banned following this summer’s betting scandal.

Meetings between these sides have been pretty even since the turn of the century, with both picking up two wins apiece and the remaining matches finishing level. The corresponding fixture last term finished 3-1 to the Viola though, and it would take a brave man to bet against Prandelli’s men picking up another victory as they bid to finally make it into the Champions League this season.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian hitman has continued where he left off last term with some crucial goals and eye-catching performances, showing the Viola that there is life after Luca Toni.

Last season: Fiorentina 3-1 Atalanta

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


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Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Donadel, Kuzmanovic, Semioli; Santana, Pazzini, Mutu

Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Talamonti, Carrozzieri, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto, De Ascentis, Costinha, Langella; Doni; Zampagna

Ref: To follow...

after an early season draw with milan viola will be looking forward to get 3pts back.

[Jager]

Serie A Week 3 - 16/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 2 - 2 Atalanta
Rivalta og 30 (F), Doni 51 (A), Vieri 74 (F), Zampagna 86 (A)
Stadio Franchi


Christian Vieri scored his first goal for the Viola, but it was not enough to defeat 10-man Atalanta thanks to a stunning Riccardo Zampagna strike.

Both sides were looking to defend their unbeaten starts to the season and it was a reunion for former Atalanta youth products Giampaolo Pazzini and Riccardo Montolivo, although the latter was struggling with injury. The visitors welcomed back Cristiano Doni and Leonardo Talamonti.

Fabio Liverani's long ball forward for Adrian Mutu was carried on for Giampaolo Pazzini and in a bid to anticipate him, defender Rivalta accidentally turned it into his own net. It was a chaotic move that left both Pazzini and goalkeeper Ferdinando Coppola injured.

Moris Carrozzieri was sent off for a foolish second bookable offence on Gobbi straight after the restart.

However, 10-man Atalanta managed to equalise moments later thanks to a classic Cristiano Doni free kick curled into the near top corner.

Christian Vieri replaced Mutu and had a good chance deflected over the bar. There was a chaotic move on 69 minutes, as three crosses into the box failed to get the shot on target, including a Vieri overhead kick.

Vieri rolled across for Kuzmanovic, but he hesitated enough to allow Capelli to clear the danger.

The pressure paid off on 74 minutes, as Liverani's free kick was floated towards Vieri for a powerful header that ricocheted in off the underside of the crossbar.

Kuzmanovic should have put the result beyond doubt, but he sprung the offside trap on Liverani's chipped pass and thumped it wide with only Coppola to beat.

It proved to be a costly error, as Atalanta equalised with an absolute stunner from Riccardo Zampagna. The veteran was surrounded by defenders with his back to goal, but sensed Sebastien Frey was off his line and hooked a spectacular effort over his shoulder into the top corner!

The Viola were furious and poured forward with Pazzini's header skimming the upright. It was a siege in stoppages, but Kuzmanovic, Vieri and Pazzini could not get the winning goal.


Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual (Balzaretti 77); Donadel, Liverani, Gobbi (Kuzmanovic 62); Semioli, Pazzini, Mutu (Vieri 58)

Atalanta: Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Talamonti, Bellini; Ferreira Pinto (Padoin 57), Tissone (Floccari 78), De Ascentis, Langella (Capelli 54); Doni; Zampagna

Ref: Celi

Sent off: Carrozzieri 48 (A)

channel4.com - Football Italia


Christian Vieri scores! But the result is not exactly what they wanted.

[dukeofdavinci]

better then losing, spoils shared

[Aladino]

Atalanta fought hard to grab the draw, it was deserved. Ironic that Vieri scores his first fiorentina goal against his old side. lol. Just glad Fiorentina didn't leadfrog Milan in the table.