Serie A' MD22: Atalanta - Fiorentina [09-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 22 - 9/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Atalanta - Fiorentina

Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Fiorentina will be looking to kick-start their Champions League challenge when they travel to Bergamo for a tricky tie against Atalanta. The Viola saw their four-match winning streak ended by a resurgent Milan side at the weekend, while the Orobici are fresh from a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Parma which halted their winless skid at four.

Cesare Prandelli’s men will be confident of getting back to winning ways this week, as they have a decent record on their travels – five wins, four draws and just a solitary defeat. Most impressive, though, is their defensive record as they have managed to keep six clean sheets away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Atalanta, on the other hand, have stopped their opponents from scoring just three times all season.

This match is always noted on the calendars of Riccardo Montolivo and Giampaolo Pazzini as it marks their return to the club where they first made their name. The Bergamo boys’ youth academy is arguably the finest in the land and these two graduates will look to showcase that this weekend. They both retain their places in Prandelli’s starting XI, which is only likely to see one change. Marco Donadel is back from a ban so he will slot back into his midfield role, with Martin Jorgensen dropping to the bench. Fabio Liverani and Franco Semioli remain in the treatment room.

Gigi Del Neri wishes he had as few worries as his opposite number. The man who masterminded the Chievo miracle has worked wonders with the Orobici this term and is currently on course to surpass the achievements of last season when Stefano Colantuono led them to eighth-place. It’s certainly not going to be easy against Fiorentina though, as he is without several key players.

Cristiano Doni, scorer of eight goals and generally the go-to guy, is suspended along with Gianpaolo Bellini and Tiberio Guarente. It’s not all bad news though, as Fernando Tissone is available again after serving a ban, while Manuel Belleri and Michele Paolucci are also expected to get the nod. Much of the scoring burden will fall on Antonio Langella – with the former Cagliari winger having netted six times this term – and three-goal Sergio Floccari.

The recent head-to-head record between the sides is as close as they get, with two wins apiece since 2001 and the rest of the games finishing all square. The last two matches have been 2-2 draws, the latest secured late on by Riccardo Zampagna, who no longer plays for Atalanta after falling out with Del Neri.

Keep an eye on: Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – Scored the goals which secured the Viola’s last win against his former club and was also on target in the 2-2 draw in Bergamo last term.

Last season: Atalanta 2-2 Fiorentina

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


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Atalanta (probable): Coppola; Rivalta, Carrozzieri, Pellegrino, Belleri; Ferreira Pinto, Tissone, De Ascentis, Langella; Paolucci, Floccari

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

Ref: To follow...

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[D-Kin]

Pazzini seems to love scoring against his old club, should be interesting.

[dukeofdavinci]

Santana moves on from Milan Thursday 7 February, 2008

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Fiorentina midfielder Mario Santana is looking to put his costly mistake against Milan behind him and is focusing on three points against Atalanta.

The Viola travel to Bergamo on Saturday night in need of three points to maintain their four-point lead over a resurgent Milan.

The Tuscans lost out in last weekend’s showdown after Santana gave the ball away in midfield and Alexandre Pato pounced to score the only goal of the game.

“It was an error,” the former Palermo man admitted. “I wanted to give the ball to Riccardo Montolivo because I thought he could do better with it.

“I certainly didn’t expect things to end up as they did – it would have been better if I had belted the ball away. Milan are a great team who can punish you for any mistake.

“But now we have to think about Bergamo. The season goes on and even the players that have been on international duty must be 100 per cent Fiorentina as soon as they return.

“Atalanta are a tough side to face and they beat Parma. We have to be very focused but we must win.”

Santana has become an Italian citizen this week, but cannot represent the Azzurri as he has already received seven caps for Argentina.

“I’m very happy to get a passport because I have been in Italy for years,” he grinned.

“I have no regrets that I can’t play for Italy because for an Argentine it is the best to play for your nation.”

The 26-year-old concluded with a cryptic suggestion that he may consider emigration at the end of the year.

“This documentation is also important as gives me the chance to go and play in England for example,” he said.

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[D-Kin]

Del Neri: Let’s win for Ruggeri Friday 8 February, 2008

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A weakened Atalanta host Fiorentina on Saturday and Coach Luigi Del Neri has called upon his side to win for ill President Ivan Ruggeri.

Beloved club owner Ruggeri suffered an aneurysm in January and is currently in a coma.

With the 63-year-old’s condition critical, Del Neri is hoping that his men can deliver a valuable win in his name.

“We want Ruggeri to see that things have gone well while he was having a rest and to see good images when he wakes up,” the Orobici boss told journalists.

While the Bergamo boys pulled off a spectacular 3-2 win over Parma last weekend, they are blighted by absentees for their game against the Viola.

Captain Cristiano Doni, defender Gianpaolo Bellini and Tiberio Guarente are suspended while Moris Carrozzieri and Argentine defender Leonardo Talamonti are injured.

“I want to have the best Atalanta side possible to test Fiorentina,” Del Neri continued.

“But we have to carry on in this vein and use the positive form to charge us rather than become complacent.

“Our mentality has changed a lot during this period and we have demonstrated that we can challenge anyone.

“We must show that attitude against Fiorentina – a side with top players who play good football.

“We have to believe in our methods, but also remember that every game is different.”

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[D-Kin]

Cesare's braced for Bergamo Friday 8 February, 2008

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Fiorentina’s Cesare Prandelli makes an emotional return to Bergamo to play Atalanta this weekend and is expecting an epic tussle.

The Panchina d’Or winner is looking to guide his side back to winning ways after last weekend’s defeat against Milan.

However, he will have to ignore strong feelings of nostalgia as he returns to his old stomping ground.

“I was in Bergamo for 15 years, first as a player and then as a youth Coach and I certainly can’t forget that period,” Prandelli admitted.

“I will see so many friends who taught me to work in a certain way. It will be a bit like going home, but on the pitch I am the Fiorentina boss and I will have to deal with the emotion.”

Atalanta saw off Parma 3-2 last week to end a poor run of form and Prandelli is well aware of the threat they can face at home where they have only been beaten twice.

“We are facing a scary side who beat Milan at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia and always put in a balanced effort,” he said.

“Atalanta have an excellent Coach who allows them to work at their best. They are a group that have worked very hard during the week while we have only just got our international players back.

“It will be a very difficult game and I expect it to be similar to the match against Empoli where we have to keep totally focused and battle to the end.

“I want my side to play like Fiorentina - that is to show a proactive attitude and try to make the most of our chances.”

Prandelli concluded by giving an insight into the injury problems he is facing in the build-up to the trip north.

“Fabio Liverani isn’t available as the problem with his ankle continues,” he explained.

“Daniele Cacia is working hard to get ready, but like Pablo Daniel Osvaldo he won’t be there. Papa Waigo may be on the bench but he has given a great first impression.”

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[D-Kin]

Mutu misses Atalanta trip Friday 8 February, 2008

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Adrian Mutu is out of Fiorentina’s visit to Atalanta after picking up an injury during international duty.

The striker returned from Romania’s friendly defeat to Israel with a right thigh problem and is being kept out of this weekend’s Serie A game as a precautionary measure.

It is hoped Mutu can be back in action for next Thursday’s UEFA Cup tie with Norwegian outfit Rosenborg.

It is a growing struggle for Coach Cesare Prandelli, as Under-21 international forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and midfielder Fabio Liverani are also injured for the Atalanta game.

This leaves him with precious few forward options, so Martin Jorgensen could either be used in midfield along with Riccardo Montolivo and Marco Donadel or pushed up in a trident with Giampaolo Pazzini and Mario Alberto Santana.

If the latter tactic is chosen, then the midfield trio would be completed by Zradko Kuzmanovic.

There is some good news for Prandelli, as January signing from Genoa Ndiaye Papa Waigo receives his first call up.

Franco Semioli is also fit again after missing Italy’s friendly against Portugal through injury.

Fiorentina squad: Avramov, Dainelli, Cacia, Da Costa, Donadel, Frey, Gamberini, Gobbi, Jorgensen, Kroldrup, Kuzmanovic, Seculin, Montolivo, Papa Waigo, Pasqual, Pazzini, Potenza, Santana, Semioli, Ujfalusi, Vieri.

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[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 22 - 9/2/08 (17.00 UK)
Atalanta 2 - 2 Fiorentina
Pazzini 29 (F), Muslimovic 30, 91 (A), Semioli 60 (F)
Stadio Azzurri d'Italia

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Zlatan Muslimovic bagged a brace as Fiorentina twice threw away a lead in Bergamo despite Giampaolo Pazzini's goal against his old club.

The Viola (here playing in their red away strip) needed a good result to keep Milan at bay in the race for fourth spot, but made this trip without the injured Adrian Mutu and Fabio Liverani. It was a homecoming for Atalanta youth products Giampaolo Pazzini and Riccardo Montolivo, while Christian Vieri was also an Orobici player. Gigi Del Neri's men were fresh from a 3-2 triumph in Parma, but had Cristiano Doni, Gianpaolo Bellini and Tiberio Guarente suspended.

The last two editions of this fixture ended with 2-2 draws, so plenty of goals were expected at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. In the opening four minutes both sides threatened with Tomas Manfredini's left-foot snapshot and a Pazzini header.

Sergio Floccari's flicked pass sent Zlatan Muslimovic clear, but the angled drive flashed across the face of goal. Manfredini got a knock to the head and made way for Manuel Belleri just 26 minutes in, as he was suffering from dizzy spells.

Former Atalanta youth product Pazzini broke the deadlock moments later with his sixth goal of the season. It was Montolivo who set him up, the youngster trapping with his back to goal before spinning round and sliding the low angled drive into the far corner, leaving Capelli stunned. Out of respect for his old club, Pazzini's celebrations were very calm.

However, the advantages lasted all of one minute before the Viola defence allowed Muslimovic an equaliser. A corner kick was not dealt with at all and Muslimovic was unmarked to fire under the bar from eight yards with a volley into the ground.

Tomas Ujfalusi was booked for a late tackle on Muslimovic and will be suspended for the match with Catania. Antonio Langella's poor clearance was straight at Zradko Kuzmanovic, but spared his blushes by drilling wide from the D.

After the break Pazzini trapped the ball and swept over the bar, all with his left foot.

Franco Semioli missed an Italy call midweek, but recovered in time to score a wonderful goal for Fiorentina. Pazzini sparked the move and Semioli got between two defenders to nod in Kuzmanovic's cross from six yards. It was his first goal of the season.

Langella was fortunate to avoid a second booking and was wisely replaced by Simone Inzaghi, while Martin Jorgensen came on for Kuzmanovic. Vieri was given a frosty reception by the Atalanta fans, as he only played seven games for the side last season.

The veteran was caught just offside as he charged towards the net, but the home side also threatened an equaliser when Inzaghi's effort was charged down.

However, the tie ended 2-2 for the third year on the trot, as in stoppages Montolivo gave away the ball, Inzaghi sparked a counter and Muslimovic combined with Ferdinando Tissone to slide in from six yards.


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Atalanta: Coppola; Manfredini (Belleri 26), Muslomivic, De Ascentis, Rivalta; Tissone, Langella (S Inzaghi 66), Pellegrino, Capelli, Ferriera Pinto; Floccari (Paolucci 76)

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Montolivo, Donadel, Kuzmanovic (Jorgensen 67); Santana, Pazzini (Vieri 73), Semioli

Ref: De Marco

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

You can't drop games like this and hope for the best. Blown opportunity, and gives Milan more of a chance to make ground.

[D-Kin]

Pazzini keeping up his good run of form.

Good.

[D-Kin]

Prandelli regrets late show Saturday 9 February, 2008

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Cesare Prandelli rues Fiorentina’s mistakes in conceding a stoppage-time equaliser, but Gigi Del Neri hailed his side’s character.

The Viola were twice leading in Bergamo before Atalanta snatched a last-gasp 2-2 draw earlier this evening.

“This is football,” sighed Prandelli. “We made mistakes in possession and should have lowered the tempo.

“They went on the counter and did well. Up until that moment they had not created any real worries for us and the game seemed to be over. It’s a shame.”

This is the third year on the trot in which the match has ended in a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Azzurri d’Italia, but there was positive news from Giampaolo Pazzini’s well-taken strike.

“He needs to find consistency and without doubt feel that he can be decisive, he needs to think of himself as a winner.”

Atalanta were celebrating the point at the final whistle thanks to Zlatan Muslimovic’s brace.

“We have different objectives this season, so it was difficult to keep up with Fiorentina,” pointed out Coach Del Neri.

“It was tough in the middle of the park, but everyone played well. It’s not easy to mark Pazzini, Mario Santana and Franco Semioli.

“We were under a lot of pressure, but had the courage to go for the goal and the fans helped us with that.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

hmm joel is showing huge interest in pazzini, is it possible he is turin bound next season??

[D-Kin]

I wish.

Nah, I've just always thought he was quality ever since he made his debut for Atalanta. He's got the potential to be the next big thing as far as Italian strikers go.

[jec1]

Fiorentina got a pretty good backline

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

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