MD4: Catania - Fiorentina[23-09-07] - TalkSoccer

**dukeofdavinci** · 20-09-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Serie A Week 4 - 23/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Catania-Fiorentina

Stadio Massimino

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiorentina take a trip to Sicily hoping to net their second seasonal victory, but Catania will be up for a battle. The Rossoblu are still unbeaten at home this term and will try to gain at least one point from this tie.

In last season’s encounter Fiorentina struggled in their quest for victory, but managed to win by a single goal.

The Viola have had a good run of results so far in this campaign. Claudio Prandelli’s men were unlucky to be hit by a late Riccardo Zampagna strike against Atalanta last weekend, and the Tuscans will have to avoid these kind of slips if they want to reach a Champions League spot.

Catania are still waiting for their first win of the season. The Sicilians lost 2-0 at Inter on Sunday, but kept their honour by fighting hard against the Italian champions. Coach Silvio Baldini is still banned, but his side have done reasonably well without his touchline antics so far.

There may be several changes in the Rossoblu starting line-up. Andrea Sottil is injured and his place is likely to be taken by Christian Terlizzi. Rocco Sabato should be the left-back with Chilean Juan Vargas moving forward to the midfield. Jorge Martinez may play as a trequartista, behind lone striker Gionatha Spinesi.

Fiorentina boss Prandelli may not be able to count on injured midfielders Alberto Santana and Martin Jorgensen. Manuel Pasqual will cover the left-back spot as Federico Balzaretti will be out for another two weeks. It’s unclear whether Riccardo Montolivo will be ready for action.

Swiss youngster Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Massimo Gobbi are in competition for a shirt, with the former slightly advantaged. After netting his first goal of the season against Atalanta, Christian Vieri will hoping to start at the centre of the Viola’s trident but may be left sitting on the bench. Giampaolo Pazzini should be Prandelli’s first choice, with Franco Semioli and Adrian Mutu on the flanks.

Keep an eye on: Gionatha Spinesi (Catania) – ‘Il Gabbiano’ is still chasing his first seasonal strike after netting 17 last term and the Rossoblu need his goals if they are to avoid relegation.

Last season: Catania 0-1 Fiorentina

Form guide: Catania (- - D D L) Fiorentina (- - W D D)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Catania (probable): Bizzarri; Silvestri, Stovini, Terlizzi, Sabato; Baiocco, Edusei; Mascara, Martinez, Vargas; Spinesi

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

Ref: To follow...

game preview.

**dukeofdavinci** · 22-09-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Prandelli's Viola lesson Saturday 22 September, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cesare Prandelli wants Fiorentina to learn from their UEFA Cup mistakes to get the points against Catania.

“We have to give our results a sense of consistency and improve our performances,” said the Coach after three consecutive draws against Milan, Atalanta and Dutch outfit Groningen.

“Yesterday we analysed the errors we made in Holland and I hope tomorrow to see the team with the right character. We need a better psychological approach to the games.”

Unlike most of the other Italian clubs in the UEFA Cup this week, the Viola fielded a strong line-up against Groningen and there is the risk of tiredness, especially with a midweek round next Wednesday.

“There will certainly be some changes. I have 20 potential first team players in my squad and there will be adjustments in every match, even more so when there are three games in the space of a week.”

Catania tactician Silvio Baldini will be in the stands, as he continues to sit out his ban for kicking Parma colleague Domenico Di Carlo up the backside.

“Baldini’s sides are always very organised and we have to do well to impose our style of play on to our opponents,” continued Prandelli.

Manuel Pasqual and Martin Jorgensen are out due to an injury, but Mario Alberto Santana returns.

Fiorentina squad: Balzaretti, Dainelli, Donadel, Frey, Gamberini, Gobbi, Kroldrup, Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Lupatelli, Lupoli, Montolivo, Mutu, Osvaldo, Pazienza, Pazzagli, Pazzini, Potenza, Santana, Semioli, Ujfalusi, Vieri

channel4.com - Football Italia

**D-Kin** · 23-09-2007, 01:08 PM

Catania 0-1 Fiorentina

4' Mutu

**D-Kin** · 23-09-2007, 01:58 PM

HT 1-0 to Fiorentina.

**D-Kin** · 23-09-2007, 02:58 PM

FT 1-0 to Fiorentina.

**dukeofdavinci** · 23-09-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Serie A Week 4 - 23/9/07 (14.00 UK)
Catania 0 - 1 Fiorentina
Mutu 4 (F)
Stadio Massimino

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adrian Mutu's early header and a series of Sebastien Frey saves proved enough to give Fiorentina victory in Sicily.

The Viola were looking for their first win since the opening round, but risked tiredness after fielding a strong starting XI in their 1-1 UEFA Cup draw at Groeningen on Thursday. The Sicilians were still without a victory and Coach Silvio Baldini continued to sit out his touchline ban for kicking Parma boss Domenico Di Carlo.

Last season Fiorentina came away with a 1-0 win and in the first three minutes they went very close with Ciro Polito fingertipping an Adrian Mutu close-range effort round the upright. From the resulting corner kick, Mutu rose above the defence to nod in the opening free header.

Mutu's free kick was tipped out from under the crossbar, but the Sicilians finally fought back with Sebastien Frey blocking a Martinez effort and Vargas aiming a couple of strikes from distance.

After the break Frey fingertipped a Giovanni Tedesco cross-shot over the bar, while Giuseppe Mascara's header was captured.

Frey was kept busy in the second half and beat away another powerful Mascara volley into the ground, then flapped Mascara's header off the line.

Catania's hopes of getting back into the game were hit hard when captain Davide Baiocco was sent off for dissent.

Christian Vieri came on and had the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt, but twice failed to slot past Polito.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Catania: Polito; Sardo (Silvestri 75), Terlizzi, Stovini, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei (Babu 69), Tedesco, Martinez (Sabato 81); Mascara, Spinesi

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Balzaretti; Montolivo (Pazienza 58), Donadel, Kuzmanovic; Santana (Semioli 63), Pazzini (Vieri 69), Mutu

Ref: Giannoccaro

Sent off: Baiocco 78 (C)

match report.

**dukeofdavinci** · 23-09-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Catania 0-1 Fiorentina
Assistant manager Gianluca Atzori: “We did well in the second half and it felt as if the goal was coming. We have a long road ahead of us and will need to do lots of work. Davide Baiocco made a stupid mistake in getting himself sent off.”
Cesare Prandelli: “We faced an organised and aggressive side. We scored, could have extended our lead, and then Catania came out of their shell. When Bobo Vieri is 100 per cent fit, he will challenge Giampaolo Pazzini for a place in the starting XI.”

post match comments