Serie A' MD20: Fiorentina - Empoli [27-01-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 20 - 27/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Empoli-Fiorentina

Stadio Castellani

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The latest Tuscan derby sees Fiorentina take the short trip to Empoli with the two sides currently battling it out at opposite ends of the table.

Fiorentina seem to have recovered from their pre-Christmas wobble and are back in fine form. Their last three matches have seen the Viola rocket in nine goals while recording three consecutive victories – their best run of the season so far. That has seen the Gigliati rise into the Champions League places, even if there is only a narrow gap separating them from Udinese.

The Viola’s form isn’t the only thing that will be pleasing Coach Cesare Prandelli at the moment though, as he looks set to have a full squad at his disposal for this match. There are some concerns over midfielder Fabio Liverani, who suffered a calf strain in training, but it is still hoped that he will recover in time for the weekend’s derby. However, the big team news is that Giampaolo Pazzini and Dario Dainelli seem likely to be left out again for Christian Vieri and Per Kroldrup.

Rivals Empoli will be without midfielder Claudio Marchisio who is still injured, meaning Francesco Marianini should keep his place in the side. Also out is young striker Levan Mchedlidze, which could cause problems with Luca Saudati set to be axed by Coach Alberto Malesani, as it would leave them without a forward on the bench.

Malesani will still feel his team has a chance of causing a major upset in the heated derby atmosphere though. Despite their lowly League position in the relegation zone, the Azzurri’s defeat to fellow strugglers Livorno last week was only their second since the former Panathinaikos boss took control back in late November.

Their home form has been particularly encouraging, with Empoli having gone five matches undefeated. However, they need to start picking up some more wins if they are to scrape their way out of the relegation battle.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – Six goals in his last four games says it all. The Romanian forward has been in sensational form all season and is emerging as a real contender for the 2008 Capocannoniere crown.

Last season: Empoli 1-2 Fiorentina

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


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Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Pratali, Tosto; Busce, Moro, Marianini; Vannucchi, Giovinco; Pozzi

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

Ref: To follow...

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[dukeofdavinci]

Vieri misses Tuscan derby Sunday 27 January, 2008

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Cesare Prandelli expects Fiorentina to encounter a battling Empoli side in today’s Tuscan derby, but Christian Vieri is sidelined.

“We have to challenge Empoli on their own terms, as they will try to raise the tempo. I am convinced if we can play at our best, then we’ll come home with some important points.”

The Viola had stuttered before Christmas, but are back on track with two straight victories in Serie A.

Prandelli is forced to make changes, as Fabio Liverani and Vieri have not been called up due to injury problems.

“Giampaolo Pazzini has shown the right character and maturity in this time. It is not the right moment to talk about transfers, we are just looking forward to the game.”

Fiorentina climbed into fourth place last week and with Udinese taking on leaders Inter hope they can further extend the gap.

“We are racing only against ourselves and our own performances, our enthusiasm and potential for growth,” assured the Coach.

“I am convinced our players will be even more motivated in this second half of the season. I expect a hard-fought derby and as always there will be many Fiorentina fans in the stands who will cheer us on in their colourful and passionate style.”

Fiorentina squad: Avramov, Cacia, Dainelli, Donadel, Frey, Gamberini, Gobbi, Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Kuzmanovic, Lupatelli, Montolivo, Mutu, Osvaldo, Pasqual, Pazienza, Pazzini, Potenza, Santana, Semioli, Ujfalusi

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[dukeofdavinci]

Malesani faces Viola history Sunday 27 January, 2008

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Alberto Malesani admits this can be no ordinary game as the Empoli boss comes face to face with his Fiorentina past.

“Obviously this cannot be a match like any other. Clearly Florence and Fiorentina represent an important step in my career,” said the Coach.

Malesani was a fan favourite for his wild celebrations on the touchline in the 1997-98 campaign, when he took them to fifth place in Serie A.

He has since been in charge of Parma, Verona, Modena, Panathinaikos and Udinese, but is back in Tuscany with Empoli.

“Now we must leave space to our current circumstances and the fact we must at all costs pick up points.”

It is a tricky local derby and Empoli are fresh from defeat to another neighbour, Livorno.

“If we start to list the Fiorentina squad then we’ll notice they are almost all internationals. This is a team built to last with a project based on the best youngsters in Europe,” continued Malesani.

“Empoli simply have to confirm what they have done well so far, plus a little more in terms of character, first of all because it is a derby and secondly as we need the points.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 20 - 27/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Empoli 0 - 2 Fiorentina
Mutu 85 (F), Pazzini 92 (F)
Stadio Castellani

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One of the strangest goals of Adrian Mutu's career put Fiorentina on their way to this local derby victory.

The latest Tuscan derby had two rivals at opposite ends of the table. The Viola recovered from their pre-Christmas wobble with nine goals in three straight Serie A wins to go fourth and an unlucky 2-1 midweek Coppa Italia loss at Lazio. Empoli had Claudio Marchisio injured, but were unbeaten at the Castellani in five. They were led by former Fiorentina boss Alberto Malesani, but hadn't beaten Fiorentina here in Serie A since 1986. Christian Vieri and Fabio Liverani were out injured.

Empoli had a strong start with Lino Marzoratti's diving header turning Sebastian Giovinco's free kick just wide, then Sebastien Frey did well to parry an Andrea Raggi snapshot from the right channel.

Fiorentina also threatened, as Moro required a goalline clearance to deny Giampaolo Pazzini an opener. Pazzini also hit the back of the net, but it was disallowed for an offside position.

Frey palmed away a Nicola Pozzi left-foot strike and Marianini ballooned the loose ball over the bar.

Fiorentina had another goal disallowed for Pazzini, but it was an extremely tight offside decision.

Pazzini nodded a Mario Alberto Santana cross over the bar, at the other end Giovinco and Pozzi couldn't quite finish off the move.

Fiorentina had a third goal disallowed for offside, this time Tomas Ujfalusi's header and again it was pretty close.

Adrian Mutu really should have done better, his diving header off target, then skipped past two defenders only to fire well wide.

Frey did well to flap away a Marzoratti effort and Pozzi wanted a penalty for Dario Dainelli's challenge.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes from time. Having had a dreadful game so far, Mutu scored almost by accident, as Marzoratti's attempted clearance ricocheted in off his face!

Pazzini also got his glory, running on to a splendid through ball from substitute Massimo Gobbi to place a cool finish past Bassi.


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Empoli: Bassi; Raggi, Marzoratti, Pratali (Vanigli 80), Antonini; Buscè, Marianini, Moro, Budel, Giovinco (Vannucchi 79); Pozzi (Saudati 67)

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Kuzmanovic, Donadel (Jorgensen 59), Montolivo; Santana (Semioli 85), Pazzini, Mutu (Gobbi 90)

Ref: Farina

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Good win.

Pazzini seems to be finding some form as well.