Serie A' MD35: Fiorentina - Sampdoria [27-04-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 35 - 27/4/08 (14.00 UK)

Fiorentina - Sampdoria
Stadio Franchi

Fiorentina can consolidate their qualification for next season’s Champions League with a win against Samp but the Blucerchiati, who are only four points behind the Viola, have their own European ambitions.

Cesare Prandelli’s side have won their last six at home and are unbeaten at the Artemio Franchi since February. Sebastien Frey hasn’t conceded in 270 minutes in front of the Curva Fiesole giving the Viola real confidence to go on and play their football.

But that may be about to change. With the season almost over Fiorentina’s transfer marketeers have been looking to reinforce the back five. Goalkeepers Marco Amelia and Diego Cavalieri have been mentioned, unsettling the invincible Frey. Tomas Ujfalusi is leaving on a Bosman and Manuel Pasqual’s first team position has a question mark over it, that question mark being Palermo’s Andrea Barzagli. How will Fiorentina’s defenders react knowing their place in the side is no longer guaranteed?

What’s more, the Gigliati have the small matter of a UEFA Cup semi-final away to Rangers three days before Samp’s arrival in Florence. But it’s not all bad. In the same fixture last season Fiorentina beat Doria 5-1, thanks to Reginaldo’s brace – who’s now at Parma – Santana’s Latin American lick and a pair from the partnership of Pazzini and Mutu.

Unfortunately for Prandelli, Pazzini is suspended after picking up a booking in the Viola’s 1-0 success against Palermo. Luckily for Prandelli, Mutu will be in town hopefully to continue his impressive scoring record against the Ligurians. The Romanian has hit the net in each of the last three meetings between the two sides.

Sampdoria journey to Tuscany more than aware that their recent accomplishments have been the fruit of impressive home and not away form – only Catania, Cagliari and Reggina have lost on more occasions on their travels. Walter Mazzarri’s team will, however, take heart from their performance against the Gigliati in December which ended 2-2. Many regard that game to be the turning point in their season when, after a five minute crying fit, Antonio Cassano grew up and inspired his side, scoring the equaliser.

The Blucerchiati are practically at full strength, allowing Mazzarri to play his favourite 3-5-2 formation. Christian Maggio, one of this season’s revelations, will look to add width and supply both Cassano and Claudio Bellucci, the re-born 32-year-old striker who has scored 12 goals in 2007-08.

In many ways Fiorentina versus Sampdoria will be a personal duel between two of Serie A’s most exciting coaching talents.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – Scouted and brought to Italy by Inter, only to be sold by the Nerazzurri back in 2000 when they were in the habit of letting über-talented players go, Mutu has been in outstanding form this term. While many backed Giampaolo Pazzini to step into Luca Toni’s rather roomy boots after Tonigol’s departure in the summer, it has been Mutu who has grasped the mantle, netting 16 times in 26 starts.

Last season: Fiorentina 5-1 Sampdoria

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

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

Sampdoria (probable): Mirante; Campagnaro, Lucchini, Accardi; Maggio, Delvecchio, Palombo, D. Francheschini, Pieri; Bellucci, Cassano

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[DavidMc]

Will be a tough weekend for Fiorentina and Rangers because I think both clubs will have one eye on the second leg of the UEFA Cup semi.

We have a massive game against Celtic tomorrow. Will be keeping an eye on the Fiorentian result too.

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 35 - 27/4/08 (14.00 UK)

Fiorentina 2 - 2 Sampdoria
Maggio 63 (S), Vieri 78 (F), Mutu pen 85 (F), Gastaldello 94 (S)
Stadio Franchi

An equaliser with practically the last kick of the game cuts Fiorentina's lead to two points!

This was a head-to-head battle for the fourth Champions League spot and the Blucerchiati's last chance of staying in the hunt, but both had to keep an eye out for Milan. Only four points separated the teams going into the game and the Viola risked tiredness from Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final away to Rangers. Daniel Pablo Osvaldo surprisingly stepped in for the suspended Giampaolo Pazzini, leaving Christian Vieri on the bench, while Samp were missing Hugo Campagnaro and Luca Castellazzi.

Last season this fixture ended 5-1 for the Tuscans, but earlier this season they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Genoa. This tie last ended in a stalemate back in 1998, followed by three home wins and one away victory in 2004.

Adrian Mutu combined with Mario Alberto Santana to shave the woodwork, then Marco Donadel smashed a fierce volley just over the bar.

On 27 minutes only the woodwork denied Fiorentina, as Kuzmanovic's volley cracked against the base of the upright.

Kuzmanovic also nodded a Manuel Pasqual cross over the bar and Riccardo Montolivo skimmed the upright.

Vieri replaced Osvaldo in the second half, but Mutu missed a Martin Jorgensen assist by a matter of inches and penalty appeals for a Palombo handling offence were waved away.

Surprisingly, it was Sampdoria who took the lead at the Stadio Franchi. Cassano threaded through for Christian Maggio to skip down the right flank and squeeze his finish between the goalkeeper and the near post. The move was started by a ball Vieri lost in possession and the counter was finished off by former Fiorentina flop Maggio.

Soon after Sebastien Frey had to deny Mirko Pieri's angled drive, as Fiorentina struggled to get back on track.

However, on 78 minutes substitute Vieri drew level with a precise header from six yards on Mutu's cross from the left.

Antonio Mirante plucked another dangerous Vieri header out of the air, but moments later the referee pointed to the spot for a Stefano Lucchini trip on Mutu. The Romanian stepped up and converted by sending Mirante the wrong way.

It seemed to be over, but in the final seconds of the game Emiliano Bonazzoli's header turned into an assist for Daniele Gastaldello to nod in from six yards. Fiorentina stood around asking for an offside flag, but it never came and the match ended 2-2.

Fiorentina: Frey; Jorgensen, Gamberini, Ujfalusi, Pasqual; Donadel, Kuzmanovic (Liverani 66), Montolivo; Santana (Semioli 74), Osvaldo (Vieri 54), Mutu

Sampdoria: Mirante; Gastaldello, Lucchini, Accardi; Maggio, Pieri, Palombo, Delvecchio (Sammarco 54), Franceschini (Bonazzoli 85); Bellucci, Cassano (Volpi 75)

Ref: Rosetti

channel4.com - Football Italia

[skeeta]

The fact that all three of the Viola's remaining matches are against clubs in this dogfight is just one reason why I am not confident about them holding on to fourth place.