Serie A' MD8: Fiorentina - Siena [21-10-07]

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 8 - 21/10/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina - Siena

Stadio Franchi

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It’s Tuscan derby time once again and struggling Siena will need to up their game if they are to stop the Fiorentina juggernaut at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.

Fiorentina remain unbeaten and are asserting their Champions League credentials. After a 1-1 draw with Juventus in Week 7, the Viola will see a game against their less illustrious cousins as an ideal chance to return to winning ways.

The Gigliati have no problem with derbies and have already seen off Empoli on the opening weekend and pulverised Livorno in Week 6 – they will see little to fear in the visiting Robur side. With the rest of the leading pack strong favourites to claim maximum points, a draw could prove costly and won’t be acceptable to Coach Cesare Prandelli.

The visiting Bianconeri are underdogs, but they proved that they bite as well as bark with a 3-0 win over Empoli a fortnight ago. Although this is more of a significant derby for the Siena faithful as Fiorentina are their closest rivals geographically, their demolition of Empoli was also an all-Tuscan affair and shows that they can rise to the occasion when bragging rights are at stake.

Nonetheless, the unassuming Senesi will be expecting a nail-biting relegation dogfight once again this year and will hold little hope of returning from Florence with any spoils. The key for Andrea Mandorlini lies in slowing the game down and keeping their shape at the back. If the Robur can keep the game level after the break they may just find space on the break.

While Siena have been poor travellers and have only found the net once away from home this term, Fiorentina have looked strangely unsteady on home soil and have drawn three times in front of their passionate fans.

Home fans can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that striker Adrian Mutu seems to have shaken off an injury niggle. Danish winger Martin Jorgensen has recovered from a long-term ailment, but he’s unlikely to feature yet. Mario Santana remains injured, so ex-Chievo wizard Franco Semioli looks set to continue in the side alongside Mutu and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Goal-shy Siena remain short of strikers as veteran Enrico Chiesa and Liechtenstein international Mario Frick are still sidelined. Otherwise, Mandorlini has a strong squad as Tomas Locatelli, Daniele Portanova and 17-year-old Argentine Fernando Forestieri have all overcome complaints. Christian Bucchi may be given the chance to link up with Massimo Maccarone in attack.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian striker is on the best form of his career and is oozing confidence after five goals in six outings.

Last season: Fiorentina 1-0 Siena

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

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

Siena (probable): Eleftheropoulos; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, Grimi; Jarolim, Codrea, Vergassola, Galloppa; Bucchi, Maccarone

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Prandelli feels derby nerves Saturday 20 October, 2007

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Cesare Prandelli expects a tense Tuscan derby with Siena on Sunday and welcomes back young revelation Pablo Osvaldo.

“This is an important and highly anticipated derby. It will be a tense and particularly fiery meeting, so I will send out my best line-up and not consider rotating the squad,” said the Fiorentina boss.

“Siena will play open and attacking football, so we need to have patience and always try to play the ball. I still have a few doubts over who will start, as I will make my decision based on the fitness of a few players.”

Prandelli welcomes back Martin Jorgensen and Osvaldo, the young striker who caused a sensation on his Serie A debut by scoring a brace in the 3-0 victory over Livorno.

He had been called up for Italy’s Under-21 side by Coach Pierluigi Casiraghi, but had to pull out due to injury.

“Tomas Ujfalusi has not recovered, but Potenza and Federico Balzaretti are in good shape. I think Giampaolo Pazzini is doing his job – focusing on helping the team and providing assists.”

The star for Fiorentina this season has undoubtedly been Adrian Mutu, who this week announced he was not remotely interested in joining Real Madrid.

“Adrian has recognised the work of this club and is becoming a very important figure,” noted Prandelli, who had also coached the Romanian at Parma.

“Riccardo Montolivo’s contract extension is also a crucial sign, as it proves Fiorentina will have excellent players in the future as well.”

Fiorentina squad: Balzaretti, Dainelli, Donadel, Frey, Gamberini, Gobbi, Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Lupatelli, Montolivo, Mutu, Osvaldo, Pasqual, Pazienza, Pazzini, Potenza, Semioli, Vieri.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Pazzini scores for Fiorentina.

1-0.

[D-Kin]

Mutu makes it 2-0.

[D-Kin]

HT 2-0 to Fiorentina.

[D-Kin]

Vieri has made it 3-0.

[D-Kin]

FT 3-0 to Fiorentina.

Good result.

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 8 - 21/10/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 3 - 0 Siena
Pazzini 15 (F), Mutu 31 (F), Vieri 71 (F)
Stadio Franchi

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Giampaolo Pazzini's sensational goal topped a fantastic display from Fiorentina to win the Tuscan derby.

Siena had never won this local showdown in the top flight, scoring just one goal in three visits and not earning a point since 2004. Having said that, their tails were up after winning another derby 3-0 against Empoli a fortnight ago. Fiorentina had the upper hand in Tuscan matters, having crushed neighbours Empoli and Livorno already this season.

Martin Jorgensen, Adrian Mutu and Pablo Osvaldo were back from injury, but the visitors were without former Viola star Enrico Chiesa.

Fiorentina nearly opened the scoring with a spectacular goal after four minutes. Mutu backheeled Fabio Liverani's pass for Riccardo Montolivo to drill inches past the upright.

When the goal did arrive, it was equally impressive. Franco Semioli held up the ball for Giampaolo Pazzini to chest it down and immediately smash in a sensational volley from the edge of the area that slotted under the crossbar.

Semioli's fierce drive was over, but the Viola were on stunning form and made it 2-0 with Mutu. Pazzini backheeled a low Manuel Pasqual cross into the path of Mutu for a low drive at the near post.

Siena were under the thumb and Dmitrios Eleftheropoulos palmed a powerful Marco Donadel effort round the post.

The visitors finally had a shot on goal on 54 minutes with Sebastien Frey ready to deny Massimo Maccarone and soon after Simone Loria's overhead kick.

Christian Vieri replaced Pazzini and added his name to the scoresheet. After turning over a header from six yards, he tapped in a fine Semioli assist from the right with the inside of his left foot.


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Fiorentina: Frey; Potenza, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual, Donadel, Liverani, Montolivo (Gobbi 64), Semioli (Jorgensen 79), Pazzini (Vieri 64), Mutu

Siena: Eleftheropoulos; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, Grimi, Jarolim (Codrea 62), Vergassola, Galloppa, Locatelli (Forestrieri 70), De Ceglie (Bucchi 70), Maccarone

Ref: Damato

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Pazzini's goal was quality and his assist for Mutu's goal was just as good.

[dukeofdavinci]

viola is really clicking now, as of now they are one of the best teams to watch.

[D-Kin]

Along with Roma they're probably the best team to watch in Italy right now.

Plus they've moved into second place in the league.

[dukeofdavinci]

Along with Roma

i wish, right now we are back to our helpless roma, we are not the same roma wch started the season.i just hope spalleti can find the cure for our decease

[skeeta]

Fiorentina looked very good yesterday, which likely means that a key player like Pazzini is about to get hurt.

Pazzini's goal and assist wasn't bad either.

Evidently, Pazzini's been taking extra training with Prandelli, looking to sharpen his instincts in front of goal now that Toni is gone and he needs to pick up some of the slack.

I just can't say enough about what a great coach Prandelli is.

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[robinho]

3-0 to Fiorentina good win they looked good especially pazzini