Serie A: Genoa - Fiorentina [28-10-07]

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Serie A Week 9 - 28/10/07 (19.30 UK)
Genoa - Fiorentina

Stadio Ferraris

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Fiorentina will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Genoa for a tricky Week 9 encounter. The newly-promoted outfit have made an impressive start to life back in Serie A, but this will be another tough test after their recent defeat to Juventus. The Rossoblu’s matches with the top clubs this term have seen them pick up zero points.

The Viola, however, have collected morale-boosting draws with all three Scudetto contenders and will still harbour title ambitions of their own, despite having a young and inexperienced squad. What Cesare Prandelli can rely on, though, is that his boys will get him plenty of goals. They’re currently netting an average of two per game – in comparison, Genoa are averaging just one a game – with Adrian Mutu leading the way with six. The Romanian is likely to take his place in the Gigliati’s attacking trident once again, alongside the rejuvenated Franco Semioli and highly-rated target man Giampaolo Pazzini.

All that, of course, means that Christian Vieri will start from the bench once again. Indeed, Prandelli is only likely to make one change to the starting XI which picked up a comprehensive 3-0 victory over local rivals Siena last weekend. Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi is available for duty again, so he is likely to take the right-back slot from Alessandro Potenza. On the left flank will be Manuel Pasqual, a man who has slipped off the radar somewhat in recent times having come close to being named in Italy’s victorious World Cup 2006 squad. He and his Viola defensive colleagues continue to impress though, conceding just seven League goals thus far.

Genoa can also boast a decent record at the back this term, having shipped just eight goals – and three of those were on the opening day against Milan. Unfortunately, boss Gian Piero Gasperini is forced to make a change to his defence as Alessandro Lucarelli is suspended. The experienced Francesco Bega is likely to be the man to fill in alongside Abdoulay Konko and Cesare Bovo. At the other end of the pitch, the scoring burden rests on Marco Borriello’s shoulders, with the former Milan striker currently boasting more than half of Genoa’s goal tally this season.

The Grifoni’s 12-year absence from Serie A means that previous top-flight meetings between the sides have little relevance to all but the stattos. In the four seasons that the teams faced-off in the 1990s, the record was all square. Both outfits picked up two wins apiece, with the remaining four matches finishing all square.

Keep an eye on: Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – There’s been plenty of talk about the former Azzurrini ace’s talent, yet little action to back it up. Can his stunning goal against Siena kick-start his season?

Last season: Not played

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

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Genoa (probable): Rubinho; Konko, Bovo, Bega; Rossi, Milanetto, Juric, Danilo; Sculli, Borriello, Di Vaio

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

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Prandelli relishing Genoa trip Sunday 28 October, 2007

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Fiorentina can aim for second place in Serie A with a victory away to Genoa this evening. “It will be a spectacular game,” promises Cesare Prandelli.

Following Juventus’ 3-1 defeat at Napoli, the Viola have every chance of ending the weekend in a very strong position.

“The Rossoblu will be tough competitors,” warned the Coach. “Genoa play good football with three upfront and Marco Borriello is a precise focal point for their attacks.

“This will be a spectacular game. We have worked hard to be a squad that is seeking consistency and along the way gathering more confidence.”

Fiorentina have had a strong start to the campaign domestically and in the UEFA Cup, where they held Villarreal to a 1-1 draw in Spain on Thursday.

“Martin Jorgensen and Zdravko Kuzmanovic have a few fitness concerns, but they are available for selection.”

Prandelli noted a similarity between his career path and that of Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini.

“We are connected by the fact we spent so long training in the youth team sectors. We believe in hard work and entertaining football.”

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

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Serie A Week 9 - 28/10/07 (19.30 UK)
Genoa 0 - 0 Fiorentina

Stadio Ferraris

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Sebastien Frey's saves proved decisive in earning Fiorentina a goalless draw away to high-flying Genoa, so they remain four points adrift of the leaders.

Both former Scudetto winners who have had very promising campaigns so far, the Viola knew that if they maintained their unbeaten record they would fly into second place. Genoa had to do without the suspended Alessandro Lucarelli, while Massimo Gobbi was injured for the visitors. This fixture had not been played in Serie A since a 1-1 draw on September 11, 1994.

Adrian Mutu took the ball past Rubinho on Giampaolo Pazzini's pass, but the angle was too narrow and he was unable to make the most of the early opportunity.

Sebastien Frey had his gloves stung by a powerful Julio Cesar Leon free kick, then controlled a Marco Borriello sudden snapshot from distance.

Leon went on a spectacular solo run dribbling with the ball glued to his foot past five defenders before Alessandro Gamberini finally disposessed him. Genoa were furious and director Fabrizio Preziosi was dismissed from the bench for taking his protests too far.

Moments later Leon tried it again with another fantastic mazy run, his shot deflected over for a corner.

Giuseppe Sculli went very close to an opener on 37 minutes, as Juric cut back for the former Chievo man and brought a desperate reaction save out of Frey.

On the stroke of half-time Pazzini got on the end of Franco Semioli's pass, but couldn't quite co-ordinate himself for the volley from seven yards as he came sliding in.

After the restart Kuzmanovic drilled over from a promising position and Rubinho blocked a Mutu free kick. Manuel Pasqual curled a set-piece over.

Marco Di Vaio replaced Sculli and Fabio Liverani, surprisingly left out, took over from Kuzmanovic. Matteo Paro struck past the upright from distance, but Fiorentina really should have scored when Mutu ran to the byeline and cut back for Pazzini to incredibly thump wide from six yards.

Christian Vieri replaced Pazzini and hoped to replicate his midweek performance in the UEFA Cup, where he scored in the 1-1 draw at Villarreal.

Leon wanted a penalty for a coming together with Per Kroldrup on the very edge of the area, but the referee waved play on. Argentine international Lucho Figueroa finally made his Serie A debut for Genoa after two knee ligament operations and was given a standing ovation by the Marassi crowd.

Deep into stoppages Di Vaio went on the counter and saw Frey off his line, but the ball across the face of goal just failed to find Figueroa's decisive touch from point-blank range.

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Genoa: Rubinho; Konko, Bovo, Bega, Danilo; Rossi, Paro, Juric (Fabiano 83); Leon, Borriello (Figueroa 77), Sculli (Di Vaio 63)

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Pasqual; Donadel, Kuzmanovic (Liverani 64), Montolivo, Semioli, Pazzini (Vieri 73), Mutu (Osvaldo 83)

Ref: Morganti

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