MD6: Fiorentina - Livorno [9-29-07] 14:30 ET

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Posting here because there is no place for it in Livorno thread...move if you want

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 6 - 29/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Livorno-Fiorentina

Stadio Picchi

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This Tuscan derby at the Stadio Armando Picchi sees two sides in contrasting form as a buoyant Fiorentina visit struggling Livorno.

Amaranto Coach Fernando Orsi has the dubious honour of leading the sack race in the eyes of the nation’s bookmakers. The memory of an admirable draw with Inter has been eroded by defeat at Napoli and time is running out for the ex-Nerazzurro.

President Aldo Spinelli is not known for his patience and has made it clear that things must change and this derby may well have come at just the wrong time for Orsi. The Amaranto will need to make a huge improvement to take a point, let alone a win. Worryingly, they have not only conceded 13 goals - more than any other Serie A side – but they have also been saved by the woodwork five times.

Fiorentina are developing into one of the peninsula’s giants. Cesare Prandelli’s men are unbeaten and were good value for a 2-2 draw with the nation’s form team Roma in mid-week. Having already beaten Empoli 3-1 in a Tuscan battle on opening day, they will know the drill here.

The buzzword is consistency if Prandelli is to turn a top-six side into true giants. While the Viola have excelled in recent seasons, they have been guilty of a few too many bad days at the office. If they can show their superiority in the chaotic surroundings of a derby, it bodes well for their chances of playing in next season’s Champions League.

A draw is never a bad bet in a derby, but history suggests otherwise here. There has been a winner in each of the last five meetings between the two sides.

Orsi made his squad return to work the morning after defeat against Napoli and has just three absentees. Defender Simone Pavan has a muscular strain, Nico Pulzetti has damaged his left ankle and striker Fausto Rossini has a left thigh injury.

The visitors make the short trip west without midfielder Marco Donadel after he was dismissed against Roma for two bookable offences. Michele Pazienza is the most likely candidate to replace him. Danish winger Martin Jorgensen remains the only injury and Franco Semioli and Mario Santana nervously wait to see who will get the nod on the right-wing. Giampaolo Pazzini looks set to start alongside Adrian Mutu, leaving Christian Vieri to make an impact from the bench once more.


Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian star believes he is more deadly than Francesco Totti and is showing why. He converted a penalty against Roma and was everywhere at the heart of the Gigliati’s attack.

Last season: Livorno 1-0 Fiorentina

Form guide: Livorno (L L D D L) Fiorentina (W D D W D)

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[Aladino]

Should be a good game, another Tuscan derby, you can't go wrong...

[barracuda]

On paper it should be a Viola victory, but in derbies you never know. Should be a great game, too bad I can't see it

[dukeofdavinci]

Mutu misses Livorno visit Friday 28 September, 2007

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Fiorentina will take on local rivals Livorno without the help of top scorer Adrian Mutu, reveals Cesare Prandelli.

The Romanian has been their star player since Luca Toni’s move to Bayern Munich, netting four goals in five Serie A games.


However, the Coach is going to rest him ahead of next week’s UEFA Cup second leg encounter with Groningen.


“Dario Dainelli is injured and Marco Donadel suspended, while Mutu has tired muscles and a slight ankle problem,” explained Prandelli.


“Adrian is coming off a series of incredible performances and next week we have two very important tests. Giving up Mutu means missing a player who brings a great deal of creativity, but we can find some consistency anyway.”


Instead the trident attack is expected to be Franco Semioli, summer signing Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Under-21 international Giampaolo Pazzini.


“Pazzini is the first choice. After the Roma game I complimented him for how he fared against a tough cookie like Philippe Mexes. I also said he has to aim for the goal more, because he can be very important inside the area.


“We must be prepared for tomorrow’s game. We will find a Livorno side that is difficult to face and has every intention of winning. I am convinced it’ll be an open match and we will do everything we can to get all three points, especially as we have not won there in a while.”


The Viola have not conquered the Stadio Picchi since a 3-0 Coppa Italia result in 1971-72 and in their following four visits have not scored a single goal.


Their confidence was boosted by the midweek 2-2 draw with leaders Roma on Wednesday evening.


“That was a great battle between two teams who challenged each other openly, like two boxers in the ring,” smiled Prandelli.


“Nobody thought about pulling back. It is always better to try to score a goal rather than attempting to avoid conceding one.”

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[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 6 - 29/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Livorno 0 - 3 Fiorentina
Osvaldo 45, 67 (F), Santana 69 (F)
Stadio Picchi

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Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scored a sensational brace as Fiorentina won at Livorno in Serie A for the first time in 75 years.

The two local rivals were coming into this tie from opposite ends of the table, as Livorno Coach Fernando Orsi's head was already on the chopping block after two points in five games, while the Viola could afford to rest Adrian Mutu following their 2-2 draw with leaders Roma midweek. Marco Donadel sat out his suspension. Surprisingly, Francesco Tavano was not even on the bench for the Amaranto.

However, Fiorentina's record here was abysmal, as they had not won in any competition since the 1971-72 Coppa Italia and hadn't even scored in their last four visits. Every Serie A team this weekend came out wearing red ribbons in solidarity with the protestors in Myanmar.

Livorno had penalty appeals for a Fabio Liverani handling offence, but it seemed to be ball-to-arm, then Antonio Filippini's header was off target from David Balleri's cross.

Gobbi flicked up the ball to cut out three Livorno defenders, but the volley was over after that fantastic footwork.

Gobbi went even closer soon after with a poorly cleared corner kick, his shot from the edge of the area cracking the base of the upright.

It was a very ill-tempered first half, but the home side had the better moves and Balleri hesitated to take the shot from nine yards, allowing a defender to close him down.

However, on the stroke of half-time Fiorentina took the lead against the run of play with a sensational debut goal from Pablo Daniel Osvaldo. The cross to the back post was spectacularly volleyed into the far top corner with the inside of his right foot.

Coach Nando Orsi was sent off for dissent during the half-time break, so for the second period his assistant manager Spinosi was on the bench. Giampaolo Pazzini had a shot charged down and from the resulting corner Tomas Ujfalusi fired over.

Tempers flared even further on 63 minutes, as Massimo Loviso foolishly held back Pazzini and repeatedly kicked out at his heels. The red card was inevitable and left Livorno to end the game with 10 men. It was also Pazzini's final contribution before making way for Christian Vieri.

Livorno lost their way and Osvaldo completed his brace. The defence was caught napping as he chested down Mario Alberto Santana's chipped pass and waited for Marco Amelia to come out before flicking the ball over the goalkeeper.

It was another Argentine, Santana, who made it 3-0 moments later. His shot took a decisive deflection off a defender to loop over a helpless Amelia.

Vieri's spectacular volley cracked against the crossbar with great force on Osvaldo's intelligent assist.


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Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Galante, Knezevic (Rezaei 50); Balleri (Bogdani 54), A Filippini, Loviso, Giannichedda, Pasquale; Rossini, Diamanti (Volpe 65)

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Balzaretti; Kuzmanovic, Liverani (Pazienza 64), Gobbi (Montolivo 55); Santana, Pazzini (Vieri 65), Osvaldo

Ref: Rosetti

Sent off: Loviso 63 (L)

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