Uefa Cup Semi 1nd Leg: Fiorentina - Rangers [01-05-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Smith looks to clear Fiorentina hurdle
Thursday 24 April 2008
Match preview by Barry Johnston from Glasgow
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Walter Smith's Rangers side have developed a successful formula in EuropeWalter Smith's Rangers side have developed a successful formula in Europe (©Getty Images)

Despite missing a host of key players for their UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against ACF Fiorentina, Rangers FC manager Walter Smith is confident his side have what it takes to advance after developing a winning formula in the knockout stages thus far.

Clean sheet key
With Rangers facing a packed fixture schedule as they chase an unprecedented quadruple having reached the Scottish Cup final at the weekend, Smith has admitted a fourth consecutive clean sheet at home in the UEFA Cup will be key to their chances against Fiorentina. Previous visitors Panathinaikos FC, Werder Bremen and Sporting Clube de Portugal all paid the price for failing to score in Glasgow, although Rangers are deprived of nine first-team players through injury or suspension for the visit of the Italian side, including goalkeeper Allan McGregor and captain Barry Ferguson. The vastly-experienced Smith is nevertheless confident his team will rise to the occasion again, saying: "Obviously we have some key men missing but we have looked the at opposition closely and I'm sure the side I put out will perform well."

Final within sight
"In European games these days it's important to take care at home because away goals are liable to punish you," the 60-year-old added. "Throughout our UEFA Cup campaign we've had all our opening games at Ibrox and have been relatively successful. If it finishes 0-0, we would feel we could go to Florence and score ourselves. We've worked hard and, at times, enjoyed some luck to reach this stage, but now we are within sight of a European final. For a coach or player that's a very big thing in your career."

A new era
Fiorentina are also thankful to be just two matches away from a European final – a first in 18 years – after suffering financial meltdown and being demoted to the fourth tier of Italian football just six seasons ago. Now, under the steady hand of Cesare Prandelli, the reborn Viola are firing on all cylinders at home and abroad. Standing fourth in Serie A, Fiorentina's darkest days have been consigned to history and for their coach, a place in the UEFA Cup final would mark the dawn of a new era for the Tuscan club.

'Only the beginning'
However, the former Juventus player is aware Rangers will be no pushovers, explaining: "When we see how far we've come, it gives us great satisfaction. However, this is only the beginning. We have come a long way and our performances in the UEFA Cup have made us grow in confidence. But we must stay focused because we have won nothing yet."

'Extra responsibility'
Fiorentina will give influential defender Tomáš Ujfaluši – who suffered a thigh strain in the weekend win against US Città di Palermo – until the last minute to prove his fitness. Prandelli is conscious of his opponents' severe injury problems but insists his players cannot afford to be complacent, adding: "I know they have some players injured, but I'm sure they'll still be strong. Rangers are a good team. They don't just defend and play long passes, they move the ball around then strike on the counterattack. We're proud to be the last Italian club still in European competition, but we also have an extra responsibility."

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[azzurri]

Yawn. What a shit game.

Fiorentina had more possesion, but they didn't create any worth while chances. As for Rangers, they didn't test Frey once.

[dukeofdavinci]

UEFA Cup, Semi-Final, 1st leg - 24/4/08

Rangers 0 - 0 Fiorentina
Ibrox, Glasgow

Fiorentina were held to a 0-0 draw by Rangers in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final clash in a game of few chances.

The Viola were undoubtedly the better side and, although they failed to take advantage of a lacklustre display from their Scottish opponents, the Gigliati will fancy their chances in the return leg in Florence after dominating possession.

The two sides had previously met on an even bigger stage in European competition after contesting the 1961 Cup-Winners Cup Final. The two-legged affair finished 4-1 to the Viola, who became the first Italian side to earn continental success and it remains their only European trophy.

Cesare Prandelli's team selection didn't contain too many surprises, as he made just two changes to the side who beat Palermo at the weekend after Tomas Ujfalusi shrugged off a knock.

Massimo Gobbi came in at left-back in place of Manuel Pasqual, while Riccardo Montolivo was preferred to Marco Donadel in the middle of the park. Rangers were forced into several changes due to injury and suspension, with skipper Barry Ferguson the most noticeable absentee.

Much of the pre-match talk centred on the Ibrox pitch, but it didn't seem to affect Fiorentina in the early stages as they passed the ball about comfortably.

Martin Jorgensen, playing at right-back, had the first opportunity of the night as he fired over from distance, with Rangers looking content to sit back and play on the break.

Adrian Mutu was clearly encouraged by his colleague as he brought Neil Alexander, deputising for Allan McGregor, into action with an effort from 25 yards which the 'keeper easily gathered.

Just moments later it looked like the opener could be on the cards when Giampaolo Pazzini seemed to find space in the box only for the outstanding Carlos Cuellar to snuff out the threat on the edge of his own six-yard box.

Rangers' best moments in the early stages were coming through lone hitman Jean-Claude Darcheville, whose second impressive run in the space of a few minutes was halted by Mario Santana illegally, earning the Argentine a yellow card.

That incident seemed to take the sting out of the game until the half-hour mark when Alexander made a stunning save from what looked like a Mutu header, but the ref pulled it back for handball. The Romanian was lucky to avoid a booking which would have ruled him out of the return leg.

Mutu was at the heart of the action once again shortly before half-time as he tried to send Pazzini through on goal, only for the Azzurrini ace to be denied by a sliding stop from the 'keeper.

The Viola seemed to start the second half with as much confidence as they displayed in the first, but Sebastien Frey - a spectator for the opening 45 minutes - had to come out smartly to prevent Nacho Novo from reaching a long ball.

The Spaniard then went for goal from virtually the half-way line after spotting the Frenchman on the edge of his box, but his effort was well over.

Novo was in the thick of it again just before minute 60 as he fired into the side-netting when he should have done better and it proved to be his final contribution as he made way shortly after for Thomas Buffel, while Darcheville was surprisingly replaced by Daniel Cousin.

Rangers continued to look flat though and the fans were livid following yet another missed pass, but they had something to cheer when Mutu's ridiculous attempt could only trouble the spectators in the top tier of the stand with 70 minutes on the clock.

They almost had the smiles wiped off their faces shortly after though, as Fiorentina's No 10 was handed a similar free-kick opportunity to the one he rifled in against PSV in the previous round.

Liverani touched the ball off and Mutu hammered it at goal, but Alexander did brilliantly to gather it at the first attempt.

Alessandro Gamberini picked up a yellow card for dissent shortly after as Rangers were awarded a dangerous free-kick which sparked mayhem in the Viola box, but still they couldn't test Frey.

The quiet Pazzini made way for Christian Vieri with 10 minutes remaining and the burly striker's first contribution was to upset Mutu before a free-kick. As the Romanian sulked, Vieri's effort was deflected over.

That proved to be the last effort of the game as both sides seemed content with the 0-0 scoreline, although Mutu was once again fortunate to escape a booking after seemingly elbowing a Rangers defender.

In the evening's other last four encounter, Luca Toni's Bayern Munich were held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Zenit St Petersburg. The lanky Italian hitman was suspended, but it didn't seem like the Germans were missing him as Franck Ribery handed them the lead.

The French playmaker saw his soft penalty easily kept out by the goalkeeper, but he made no mistake from the rebound. However, a second half own goal by Lucio handed the Russian outfit a share of the spoil and a crucial away goal.

Rangers: Alexander; Broadfoot, Weir, Cuellar, Papac; Novo (Buffel 59), Whittaker, Hemdani, Dailly, Davis; Darcheville (Cousin 59)

Fiorentina: Frey; Jorgensen, Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Gobbi; Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Pazzini (Vieri 81), Mutu

Ref: Vassaras (Gre)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Donadel's Rangers crossroads
Tuesday 29 April, 2008

While Cesare Prandelli has two doubts for the team to face Rangers, Marco Donadel notes this is the decisive week in Fiorentina’s season.

The Viola take on Rangers in the UEFA Cup semi-final on Thursday after the 0-0 first leg in Glasgow, then clash with Cagliari to cling to fourth spot in Serie A on Sunday.

“This is the decisive week in our campaign,” confessed Donadel. “That last-minute equaliser from Sampdoria forces us to be on the ropes until the very end.

“We will have three very difficult games, but are not thinking of Milan.”

The Rossoneri are now within two points of that fourth Champions League spot thanks to the 2-2 draw at the Stadio Franchi.

Before that, Fiorentina must focus on reaching the UEFA Cup Final.

“We have to step on to the field with the same mentality we had in Eindhoven,” continued the midfielder, referring to their 2-0 away win in the last round.

“We’ve got to give it 100 per cent right from the start, making sure Rangers understand it’s going to be very difficult for them.

“I think the first leg showed how desperate they are not to concede and that we were the only ones trying to score.

“The 0-0 was the result they were looking for. We must play with a pinch more energy and determination to push them out of that comfort zone.”

It is reported Coach Prandelli has two doubts over the line-up that will take on Rangers on Thursday.

In defence Massimo Gobbi is challenging Manuel Pasqual for the wide role, while fit-again Franco Semioli tries to push Mario Alberto Santana out of the side.

Giampaolo Pazzini was suspended for the Serie A draw with Sampdoria and Fabio Liverani is expected to return to the midfield.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Oh man....what a heart breaker for Fiorentina. Frey saved the first penalty, but Liverani missed and VIERI pulled a Baggio. Fiorentina were up a man in the final 10 minutes of extra time, but couldn't score.

[sinoy1]

What a terrible PK by Vieri.....disgusting.Why didnt Semioli take it or Mutu or Ujfalusi....man really heartbreaking.My brother called it (whose an inter fan) he said if Vieri takes it Rangers will win....unlucky.Wanted to see Toni vs Fiorentina both of which were taken out today.Thats football though.Great european match and good fan turnout.

[D-Kin]

To be fair to Rangers they made it very tough but Fiorentina just didn't take their chances. Pazzini was guilty in front of goal as well as Vieri, not only during the game itself but the penalty shootout too. All in all Vieri was extremely disappointing and to top it all off it's been reported that he pulled a muscle in his leg while taking the penalty and could miss the rest of the season.

I hope Rangers go on and win it now.

[azzurri]

Fiorentina completely dominated. The extra man was insignificant considering how they played for the previous 90+ minutes. Fiorentina just couldn't score, but they controlled the match all the way into ET. There was a point in the game where it was 14-0 in shot's for Fiorentina.

Rangers played like an old school Italian team, except without the same level of technical ability or the ability to counter attack. U could tell what there gameplan was from the 1st half.

Fiorentina left it to the lottery of pk's, so they have no1 to blame but themselves. Still, they were clearly the better team over the 2 legs. If they still had Toni, they would have won each leg comfortably.

[dukeofdavinci]

a shock though since bayern in all of the teams in the world also didnt make it, but i see a bright future for our nations club in cl next season as long as milan doesnt get back in

the viola are a better candidate now then them.

[Jager]

Rangers played like an old school Italian team, except without the same level of technical ability or the ability to counter attack. U could tell what there gameplan was from the 1st half.

This seems to be a reoccurring theme in Britain.