Serie A' MD36: Cagliari - Fiorentina [04-05-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 36 - 4/5/08 (14.00 UK)

Cagliari - Fiorentina
Stadio Sant'Elia

Cagliari are hanging on for dear life, five points clear of the precipice overlooking Serie B, while Fiorentina are losing their grip on fourth place and a Champions League spot.

Cagliari have put the cat among the proverbial relegation pigeons in recent weeks, winning two games in-a-row before valiantly bowing to champions-elect Inter at San Siro on Sunday. The Sardi have become a well-oiled machine since Davide Ballardini’s arrival, with every cog slipping into place and doing its job. Unfortunately some of the most important components are missing.

Robert Acquafresca, the Azzurrini striker who has been banging in goals and attracting interest from Italy’s biggest clubs, is struggling for fitness while midfield string-puller, Daniele Conti, is tied up in agony with a stomach complaint. The absence of playmaking lighthouse Pasquale Foggia has also meant the Islanders have lost their way in the final third of the pitch, cutting front-man Jeda adrift from the rest of the team.

Cagliari will not be scared though and will be confident ahead of the Viola’s voyage to Sardinia. The Rossoblu have turned Sant’Elia, which was a sand castle at the start of the season, into an intimidating fortress and haven’t lost there in eight matches. Fiorentina have been defeated on their last four trips away from the Artemio Franchi and will be tired after a UEFA Cup semi-final second leg against Scottish giants Rangers.

Cesare Prandelli’s men are showing signs of fatigue and, having played 52 games already this season, the wind is no longer in their sails as it was at the turn of the year. While the Gigliati have gone through the odd purple patch in each of their last five games, they have failed to kill off teams. But the tide could change with the return of Giampaolo Pazzini who is back from suspension. The Viola have also won five of their last six meetings with Cagliari.

Keep an eye on: Giampaolo Pazzini (Fiorentina) – The 23-year-old has been criticised for his inconsistency this season and will be looking to get back on the scoresheet after three weeks without a goal. The former Atalanta youngster was touted to step into Luca Toni’s boots after the World Cup winner’s departure last summer and although he has disappointed, he certainly has the potential to light up any game.

Last season: Cagliari 0-2 Fiorentina

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

Cagliari (probable): Storari; Canini, Lopez, Bianco, Ferri; Biondini, Cossu, Del Grosso, Jeda; Acquafresca, Matri

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

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 36 - 4/5/08 (14.00 UK)

Cagliari 2 - 1 Fiorentina
Jeda 21 (C), Conti 52 (C), Santana 53 (F)
Stadio Sant'Elia

Adrian Mutu saw red as Fiorentina's week went from bad to worse, losing fourth place to Milan, but Cagliari can taste safety.

These two sides were swinging in different directions, as the Sardinians went from the bottom of the table to five points clear of the drop zone and were unbeaten here in eight games, while the Viola were losing their grip on fourth place and went out of the UEFA Cup on penalties to Rangers in Thursday's semi-final. Christian Vieri was injured, while Riccardo Montolivo sat out a ban. The Sardinians were without top scorer Robert Acquafresca, so had to reshuffle their system.

Sebastien Frey rushed out in the opening six minutes to close down Davide Biondini clear on goal, while Kuzmanovic drilled just over from 30 metres.

Cagliari took the lead with the rather tiny Nelson Jeda's header from a corner kick, highlighting Fiorentina's defensive error.

Per Kroldrup had penalty appeals ignored for a shirt tug as he nodded a corner over, then substitute Fabio Liverani's free kick was parried. In first half stoppages Jeda just failed to get on the end of Pisano's cross.

Mario Alberto Santana came on at the break and his cross was scuffed wide by Liverani.

Instead, Cagliari doubled their lead by again taking advantage of some shaky defending. Cossu and Alessandro Matri combined to move the ball around in the box and roll across for Daniele Conti to tap in from six yards.

Moments later Fiorentina got back into it with Liverani's assist for Santana's strike.

Frey had to parry another Biondini run, while Marco Storari's fingertips trapped an Adrian Mutu low drive. On the hour mark Mutu's lob was well over from a very promising position set up by Liverani.

Liverani's brilliant chipped pass was volleyed wide by Giampaolo Pazzini, but Fiorentina ended the game with 10 men, as Mutu saw red for taking his protests too far after a booking.

Cagliari: Storari; Pisano (Ferri 71), Lopez, Canini, Agostini (Del Grosso 79); Biondini, Conti, Fini; Cossu (Foggia 63); Jeda, Matri

Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Kroldrup, Pasqual (Liverani 29); Gobbi, Donadel (Santana 46), Kuzmanovic; Semioli (Osvaldo 60), Pazzini, Mutu

Ref: Farina

Sent off: Mutu 91 (F)

channel4.com - Football Italia