Serie A' MD32: Fiorentina - Reggina [06-04-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 32 - 6/4/08 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina - Reggina

Stadio Franchi

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

The pressure is growing on both teams, as Fiorentina cannot afford another slip-up and neither can Reggina.

The Viola can be thankful that Milan continue to stumble, as their own disappointing results have not lost them that fourth Champions League spot so far. Udinese and Sampdoria are in the race now too, so they must make the most of home advantage against one of the relegation strugglers. The Stadio Artemio Franchi ties become particularly crucial considering Fiorentina have lost three away games on the bounce.

The 3-1 defeat at Udinese last Sunday was a worrying one, as it allowed the Friulani to climb into fifth place just three points adrift of Cesare Prandelli's squad. Admittedly, that result did come without the suspended Adrian Mutu and Fabio Liverani, but the Coach still said he was disappointed with the “lack of character.” Those two stars are back and the only injury concern is Franco Semioli, while Alessandro Gamberini should make his comeback in the UEFA Cup clash with PSV Eindhoven on Thursday after a fortnight out.

Reggina's performances have certainly improved since Nevio Orlandi took over from Renzo Ulivieri and, to a degree, so have the results. A 4-0 demolition job on Siena was followed by positive draws with Livorno and Napoli, but their poor away record cost them in Sunday's 2-0 loss at Genoa. Cagliari's sudden resurgence has left them in penultimate place, but still well in the relegation battle, as there are currently four teams just two points away.

The history books don't bode well for the Calabrians, who have not managed a single away victory all season and have lost all five of their Serie A visits to Florence. During that time they scored four goals and conceded 13. At least Orlandi doesn't have too many injury headaches, as Emil Hallfredsson is back to full fitness and the only absentees are Montiel and Modesto. Franco Brienza continues to be the forward they had been looking for and could be partnered by Francesco Cozza in support of Nicola Amoruso, leaving Stephen Makinwa on the bench. It would be Cozza's first start since the Livorno game on March 19.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) - His absence was sorely felt at the Stadio Friuli and Fiorentina will be glad to have the Romanian back on board with his goals and assists.

Last season: Fiorentina 3-0 Reggina

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


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

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Gobbi; Donadel, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Pazzini, Mutu

Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Lanzaro, Cirillo, Valdez, Aronica; Barreto, Cascione, Hallfredsson; Brienza, Cozza; Amoruso

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Prandelli's refresher course Saturday 5 April, 2008

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

Cesare Prandelli hopes Fiorentina can put the UEFA Cup strains of PSV behind them when facing a fired up Reggina.


“The Amaranto are coming here to pick up points and they have nothing to lose,” pointed out the Coach.


“I think we are trying to recover physical and psychological energy, but we are not tired.”


Prandelli is prepared to rotate his squad just three days after the gruelling 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven, but admits it is not an idea that excites him.


“The only risk could be fielding a line-up that has not really played together very much, but I do want to send out five or six fresh players.”


Among the novelties could be Christian Vieri and Ndiaye Papa Waigo, but Adrian Mutu is too important to be rested.


Following the Viola’s defeat at the Stadio Friuli last week, the race for fourth spot has intensified with Udinese, Milan and Sampdoria within reach.


“I am not looking at the other teams, even if I think Milan has a more complete squad and can win all their remaining games,” continued Prandelli.


“Sampdoria and Udinese are soaring with enthusiasm and perhaps we didn’t think we’d be in fourth place at this stage of the season, but now we’re here we want to defend it at all costs.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 32 - 6/4/08 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 2 - 0 Reggina
Pazzini 23 (F), Mutu 92 (F)
Stadio Franchi

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

Giampaolo Pazzini and Adrian Mutu maintained Fiorentina's cushion in that fourth Champions League spot.

The Viola were feeling the pressure in fourth place and rotated the squad after their midweek 1-1 UEFA Cup draw with PSV Eindhoven. They welcomed a desperate Reggina side battling to get out of the bottom two under new Coach Nevio Orlandi. The Calabrians hadn't won on their travels all season and had lost all five of their previous visits to Florence.

Riccardo Montolivo flashed an early shot off target, but Reggina had a strong penalty appeal waved away when Per Kroldrup appeared to bundle over Stephen Makinwa.

Makinwa was causing a lot of problems for the Viola defence with his pace and his dangerous effort whistled past the top corner.

Montolivo's right-foot screamer from the edge of the box was palmed round the near post.

Fiorentina broke the deadlock somewhat against the run of play with Giampaolo Pazzini. The Under-21 international soared above the defenders for a glancing header into the near top corner from Manuel Pasqual's cross from the left.

Sebastien Frey stuck out a foot in a fantastic point-blank reaction save from Luca Vigiani's header on the half-hour mark.

Reggina were far from out of it and were unlucky to hit the upright with Franco Brienza's angled drive when Frey had been beaten.

After the restart substitute Martin Jorgensen won back the ball in midfield and threaded through for Pazzini's angled drive to flash across the face of goal.

Fiorentina should have doubled their advantage on 58 minutes. A well-worked team move saw Jorgensen's angled drive well saved and Pasqual turned the follow-up on to the underside of the crossbar of an open goal!

Pazzini's header met a Montolivo cross, but was kept out by Salvatore Aronica's goalline clearance.

Campagnolo had his palms stung by Montolivo again and Edgar Barreto floated a free kick inches over for Reggina.

In stoppages Mutu put the result beyond doubt when Christian Vieri's cross was flicked on by Massimo Gobbi for Mutu to sweep in with the inside of his left foot.


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

Fiorentina: Frey; Potenza, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual; Liverani (Gobbi 79), Donadel, Montolivo; Papa Waigo (Jorgensen 46), Pazzini (Vieri 70), Mutu

Reggina: Campagnolo; Lanzaro (Alvarez 69), Cirillo, Valdez; Aronica, Vigiani, Barreto, Tognozzi; Modesto (Hallfredsson 54), Brienza; Makinwa (Amoruso 71)

Ref: Celi

channel4.com - Football Italia