Serie A' MD19: Fiorentina - Torino [19-01-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 19 - 19/1/08 (19.30 UK)
Fiorentina-Torino

Stadio Franchi

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

While Fiorentina have recovered their form to keep up with the race for a Champions League place, Torino need to stop their slump towards the relegation zone when they travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The Viola struggled following the morale-sapping death of Coach Cesare Prandelli’s wife, resulting in a run of five games without a win. They seem to have turned things around now though, with comfortable victories over Cagliari and Parma showing that things are back on track in Tuscany. After scoring seven goals in two matches the Gigliati are looking particularly potent going forward and the fans will be hoping for another high scoreline against a struggling Toro side.

With a full squad to choose from, Prandelli is expected to stick with the same starting XI that won 2-1 in Parma last week. That means Christian Vieri and Mario Santana should keep their places after impressing at the expense of previous regulars Giampaolo Pazzini and Franco Semioli, who will have to make do with spots on the bench.

There’s no such luck for Granata boss Walter Novellino, who has a hefty list to deal with. Star man Alessandro Rosina’s absence is a big blow, especially with strikers Nicola Ventola and Dominique Malonga also injured. Young midfield duo Matteo Rubin and Tommaso Vailatti are also unlikely to feature after picking up knocks.

There couldn’t be a worse time for Toro to suffer their current string of injuries either. Having gone nine games without a win they are in freefall towards the bottom three and will need to halt their slide soon if they want to steer clear of the drop.

Last week’s home defeat to fellow relegation candidates Livorno highlighted their problems and saw them fall within three points of the danger zone. With the likes of Reggina and Siena starting to improve, the Granata know they can’t afford many more defeats if they are to retain their Serie A survival.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian star has been in sensational form recently, scoring five goals in his last three games and attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Last season: Fiorentina 5-1 Torino

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


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

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Pasqual; Donadel, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Vieri, Mutu

Torino (probable): Sereni; Comotto, Natali, Dellafiore, Lanna; Lazetic, Grella, Corini, Barone; Di Michele, Bjelanovic

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Cesare expects intense Toro Saturday 19 January, 2008

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

Cesare Prandelli warns Fiorentina not to take today’s meeting with struggling Torino lightly, as it stands to be an “intense” encounter.


The Viola are the overriding favourites to get the points this evening against a Toro outfit that have picked up three points from their last five games.


“We are going to take on a wounded side. Toro have a winning Coach like Walter Novellino and we will have to put in a very intense performance,” said Prandelli.


Although the Granata are struggling badly, they have a star-studded squad and were expected to fight for a UEFA Cup spot this term.


“Torino have players who can make the difference, like Simone Barone, Alvaro Recoba and many more. It is a difficult game against a highly motivated side.


“We have to be very careful, as this could be a turning point for our season. I will send out the best line-up at my disposal.”


Fiorentina risk tiredness after their midweek Coppa Italia victory over Ascoli, where Giampaolo Pazzini netted both goals.


“Pazzini’s form and the fact he scored twice against Ascoli does make it more difficult for me to pick the starting XI,” confessed the Coach.


“I again compliment him for how he played on Wednesday. The important thing for us now is to keep moving forward and build on our results.”


Dario Dainelli and Arturo Lupoli are sidelined, but Prandelli has the rest of the squad to choose from.

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

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Novellino trusts in Toro revival Saturday 19 January, 2008

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

Walter Novellino believes his Torino side can emerge from their crisis even though they face Fiorentina this evening.

“The team is in difficulty, but I believe in this group. I shared all the decisions made by the club, so I think we can only overcome this moment with hard work.”

The Granata were expected to challenge for a mid-table position and maybe even Europe this term, but find themselves struggling to avoid relegation with three points from their last five games.

“My greatest regret is that we have not yet been able to give President Urbano Cairo and the fans the satisfaction they deserve,” added Novellino.

“I was pleased to hear the statements made by some of my players, as they confirmed the unity within this squad. By working together we can emerge from this situation.”

Tonight Toro must do without Matteo Rubin, Tommaso Vailatti, Nicola Ventola, Alessandro Rosina, Marco Motta and Gianluca Comotto.

Alvaro Recoba is also a major doubt, as he is struggling with back pain, while Simone Barone and the flu-hit Matteo Sereni hope to recover in time.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Fiorentina won 2-1.

Vieri, Mutu (pen) and Grella with the goals.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 19 - 19/1/08 (19.30 UK)
Fiorentina 2 - 1 Torino
Vieri pen 45 (F), Grella 58 (T), Mutu pen 76 (F)
Stadio Franchi

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

Christian Vieri's 200th Italian goal and a cheeky Adrian Mutu spot-kick allowed Fiorentina to defeat plucky Torino 2-1.

A Toro side in crisis came to the Stadio Franchi without Matteo Rubin, Tommaso Vailatti, Nicola Ventola, Alessandro Rosina, Marco Motta and Gianluca Comotto, while Alvaro Recoba, Simone Barone and Matteo Sereni were struggling with physical ailments. The Viola had no such problems, as Cesare Prandelli found it difficult to choose between all the forwards at his disposal after Giampaolo Pazzini bagged a brace in the midweek Coppa Italia win over Ascoli. Only Dario Dainelli missed out because of injury.

Last season this fixture ended 5-1 to the home side and Torino haven't won here since a 1-0 on Halloween 1976.

Torino defended well early on and Fiorentina only managed to create their first real scoring opportunity after 18 minutes. Mario Alberto Santana was sent clear by a threaded pass and Matteo Sereni did well to get down and parry the low drive.

Moments later Sereni palmed a Christian Vieri effort round the post from distance, while Cesare Natali showed his power in the air to anticipate Vieri and Adrian Mutu.

Riccardo Montolivo's shot was charged down, then a free kick was touched on for Vieri to cannon wide of the near post with the aid of a deflection. From the resulting corner a Mutu bullet header was straight at Sereni.

In first half stoppages the referee pointed to the spot for Marco Di Loreto's challenge on Mutu. Vieri decided to take penalty duties because he was seeking his 200th goal on Italian soil and sent Sereni the wrong way to celebrate that historic landmark.

After the restart Toro remained in their shell and Montolivo drilled wide from the edge of the box. It needed a special moment to break this balance and it came from Vincenzo Grella.

A Torino free kick was chipped up for Sasa Bjelanovic's header back and Grella smashed a low first-time strike in off the inside of the far post. It was a splendid individual goal from the Australian international and effectively the Granata's first attempt.

Fabio Liverani should have equalised from Mutu's cutback, but the ball fell on his weaker right foot and he ballooned it off target from nine yards.

Sereni was at full stretch to fingertip a dangerous Santana cross off the feet of Vieri as the veteran prepared to tap in from close range. Mutu had a couple of efforts from distance.

Fiorentina had another golden opportunity to draw level. Substitute Kuzmanovic put in a good cross, but both Vieri and Mutu had their finishes charged down from point-blank range.

Yet Toro risked a shock lead as Bjelanovic's diving header was plucked out of the air by Sebastien Frey.

Moments later an absolutely crucial Sereni reaction save from point-blank range palmed away Mutu's header from a corner kick.

Mutu earned his second penalty of the match. The Romanian pounced on a horrible defensive error and as he lined up the shot Lanna crossed his path and probably accidentally tripped him up. Mutu took the spot-kick this time and cheekily chipped it over Sereni.

Substitute Martin Jorgensen almost gave the Viola a two-goal cushion, but once again Sereni excelled with a great reaction save on the Dane's downward header.

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

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Gamberini, Pasqual; Donadel (Kuzmanovic 61), Liverani, Montolivo (Jorgensen 74); Santana, Vieri (Gobbi 90), Mutu

Torino: Sereni; Dellafiore, Natali, Di Loreto, Lanna (Oguro 90); Lazetic, Grella, Corini, Barone (Zanetti 72); Di Michele, Bjelanovic

Ref: Tagliavento

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Toro fury at 'scandalous' spot-kicks Saturday 19 January, 2008

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

Torino Coach Walter Novellino and President Urbano Cairo blasted the “scandalous” penalties that gave Fiorentina a 2-1 victory.

“The treatment we receive from referees is incredible,” said the patron after the Stadio Franchi defeat.

“To give two penalties like that, especially the second with Adrian Mutu tripping over his own feet, is shameful and scandalous.”

Mutu earned both spot-kicks, while Vincenzo Grella had temporarily equalised for Toro.

“I am sorry that Fiorentina are put in the middle of this, as they have great fans and we are twinned. I saw the right spirit and determination from my men and if we continue like this and don’t receive shocking treatment from referees, we can get out of this situation.

“From the moment I contested David Trezeguet’s goal in the derby, we have been treated in an incredible fashion.”

Coach Novellino was equally furious after the final whistle of their 2-1 defeat.

“It’s a shame we play a match so well and then get penalised. Today we had everything we needed to bring home a result, but Mutu went looking for the second penalty, which was totally non-existent.

“You cannot do these things, the Coaches then pay the price. I am not afraid of losing my job, but clearly players need to be more professional.

“Are the referees against us? Considering that penalty, Paolo Tagliavento certainly was a little against us. We did not deserve to lose.”

Viola boss Cesare Prandelli tried to calm the waters and insisted the spot-kicks should have been awarded.

“From the bench the first penalty looked like a clean challenge, but they told me on the pitch it was a clear foul. On the second incident Mutu was clear on goal, he had no reason to fall, so in my view it was a penalty,” said the tactician.

“Torino had just one shot on goal, while we created many more chances. We had a bad start, but with Zdravko Kuzmanovic on as a substitute we became less predictable.”

It was a special moment with Christian Vieri scoring his 200th goal with an Italian club.

“There are so many compliments about him, but they are sincere and deserved, he gives so much to the squad.”

Prandelli was in less generous mood with Mutu, who converted the winning penalty with a cheeky chip.

“He’s crazy! When he takes spot-kicks from now on, I’m not looking!”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Trim]

Didn't see the match in full, I was switching channels.

I don't know how the first penalty was, but the second one was definately a penalty.

Great penalty kick from Mutu. Very calmly taken.

[Trim]

Eh, just found the match highlights and goals video now..

TalkSoccer Media Player

[D-Kin]

Both penalties looked generous to me.