A.S. LIVORNO CALCIO

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 24 - 18/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Livorno - Messina
Stadio Picchi

Livorno and Messina are all set for a vital clash at the Stadio Armando Picchi, with both sides hoping to finally end their lengthy winless streaks. You’d be hard pressed to find two clubs in Europe struggling more than this duo, with Messina having won just once in 14 matches and Livorno picking up three points on only one occasion in their last 12 games.

Things came to a head last weekend for the Sicilian boys as their early season good form was well and truly erased when Reggina beat Torino to leave the Giallorossi languishing in the relegation zone. Their poor form has coincided with the loss of top scorer Christian Rigano, whose nine goals earlier this term were so pivotal in getting Messina off to a great start.

Alberto Cavasin remains without the Fiorentina man, but he also has a few suspension issues to contend with. Luigi Lavecchia and Salvatore Masiello are both enforced absentees after falling foul of the law, with Mark Iuliano replacing the former and Ivica Iliev stepping into the latter’s boots. Angelo Rea is also tipped to be dropped in favour of Edgar Alvarez, while Ibrahima Bakayoko will start against the side which sold him in January.

Livorno boss Daniele Arrigoni continues to battle against the extreme pressure from chief Aldo Spinelli, but he appears to be safe for now after the fiery President allowed him to make a few January additions. One such signing was former Italy international Stefano Fiore, who arrived from Torino. The creative midfielder made his bow against Milan and is tipped to start once again, playing just off Cristiano Lucarelli.

Indeed, it is likely that Arrigoni will stick with the same side which battled valiantly against the Rossoneri in a 2-1 defeat. Marco Amelia should be fit enough to take his place between the sticks despite appearing to be hampered by an injury for Marek Jankulovski’s winning goal, while Aparecido Cesar should play again after making his debut alongside Fiore. It remains to be seen if he can inspire his side to a first win since the middle of November.

Man on fire: Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno) – Scored a typical goal against Milan and will need to continue recreating his 2004-05 form if the Amaranto are to save their season.

Last season: Livorno 2-2 Messina

Form guide: Livorno (D L D L L) Messina (L D L L D)

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Kuffour, Galante, Pasquale; Filippini, Morrone, Passoni, Cesar; Fiore; Lucarelli

Messina (probable): Caglioni; Zoro, Zanchi, Iuliano; Parisi, Alvarez, Pestrin, D’Aversa, Candela; Iliev, Bakayoko

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[Forza_Roma]

Livorno may find themselves in a relegation spot if they don't start producing more points. Messina are already in that position. A win by either club will be massive!

[D-Kin]

Both are in poor form, it can go either way.

[Forza_Roma]

I'm a little disappointed with Livorno. I like for them to do well, but with the state of the management this season, it's not surprising!

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Livorno. Goal by Fiore 26'min

[Forza_Roma]

HT 1-0 Livorno

[D-Kin]

Interestingly Cesar has started on the bench.

Fiore is in for Livorno though.

[D-Kin]

Livorno 2-0 Messina

69' Lucarelli

[D-Kin]

Livorno 2-1 Messina

78' Zoro

[D-Kin]

FT 2-1 to Livorno.

[Forza_Roma]

Nice win for Livorno. Glad Lucarelli scored. That's 10 so far this season for him.

[D-Kin]

Btw Fiore scored the first goal (not Lucarelli).

[Forza_Roma]

Opps...wow good for Fiore...glad he scored!

Thanks for pointing it out, i made the correction!

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 24 - 18/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Livorno 2 - 1 Messina
Fiore 26 (L), Lucarelli 69 (L), Zoro 78 (M)
Stadio Picchi (0 - behind closed doors)

Livorno ended their 10-match winless streak to send Messina tumbling further towards relegation.

The Stadio Picchi was empty after failing safety inspections, just as it had been during Wednesday's 2-1 UEFA Cup defeat to Espanyol. Both teams were desperate for a win, as Livorno had just one from their last 12 games and Messina celebrated once in 14. Sicilian Coach Alberto Cavasin was still without Christian Rigano' plus suspended duo Luigi Lavecchia and Salvatore Masiello.

Marco Amelia's palms were stung after four minutes, tipping an Ivica Iliev missile over the crossbar.

Livorno took the lead with a strange goal - Stefano Fiore's first with the Amaranto jersey. He exchanged passes with Cristiano Lucarelli and his final shot was straight at the goalkeeper, but Caglioni fumbled it and the ball squirmed into the net.

David Balleri sparked Fiore's counter-attack and once again his shot was at Caglioni's chest, but this time the Messina man was able to smother it. A touched-on free kick for Alessandro Parisi whistled past the top corner.

Messina introduced ex-Livorno striker Ibrahima Bakayoko for the second half, returning to face the side he left in January.

But Livorno continued to have the better of the play and Fiore drilled just past the upright with his right foot.

The Amaranto doubled their lead when Lucarelli chested down Balleri's pass floated over the defence and thumped after the bounce from seven yards.

Iliev and Fabio Galante had chances, though Messina gave themselves a chance in the final minutes with Marco Kpolo Zoro rising to turn in a Roberto D'Aversa free kick.

Bakayoko nearly scored against his former teammates, but the move was halted for a foul on the 'keeper.

Lucarelli probably should have made the finale a little more relaxing for Livorno, but he wasted a great chance on the counter-attack.

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Rezaei, Galante, Pasquale; Balleri (Pfertzel 80), Morrone, Passoni, A Filippini; Fiore (Vidigal 87); Lucarelli

Messina: Caglioni; Rea (De Vezze 65), Zoro, Zanchi, Giallombardo (Bakayoko 46); Candela (Alvarez 79), Pestrin, D'Aversa, Parisi; Floccari, Iliev

Ref: Farina

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[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 25 - 25/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Livorno - Ascoli
Stadio Picchi

After finally ending their lengthy winless streak, Livorno will be looking to keep the winning feeling going when they welcome Ascoli to the Stadio Armando Picchi. The Amaranto went 10 games without picking up three points, but a 2-1 success over Messina allowed them to push closer to the European places than the drop zone.

Things have certainly been tough for Coach Daniele Arrigoni in recent months, with his job coming under intense scrutiny on numerous occasions this term. Indeed, he was actually sacked by President Aldo Spinelli last month before player power won him a reprieve – although quite how long that will last is anyone’s guess.

A firm believer in the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ school of thought, the former Cagliari boss looks set to name an unchanged side for their second consecutive home match. That means another run-out for new signing Stefano Fiore, who will once again be playing just behind Cristiano Lucarelli as the lone striker. The 2004-05 Capocannoniere has been in fine form since Fiore’s arrival from Torino.

Despite picking up four points from their last three matches, Ascoli’s situation is still desperate. The Bianconeri remain rooted to the foot of the Division and are six points adrift of safety. However, with Michele Paolucci and new signing Andrea Soncin starting to find the back of the net, there is at least some hope for Nedo Sonetti’s side to escape – even if only Parma have been more toothless this term.

Although there is no room for Paolucci in the starting XI, Soncin’s brace against Udinese last weekend is enough to ensure he retains his spot playing just behind Sasa Bjelanovic. But there are several changes made to the starting XI.

Matteo Melara, banned for the clash against the Friuliani, returns to the side in place of Riccardo Corallo at the back, while Gaetano Vastolo is set to be picked at right-back ahead of Paolo Foglio. The only change enforced upon Sonetti came as a result of Gaetano Fontana’s injury in the last game. On that occasion he was replaced by Ukrainian midfielder Viktor Boudianski, and the Eastern European youngster looks set to get the nod again.

Despite the torrid form of both sides since the turn of the year, Livorno have still only lost once on home turf this year. The fact that no fans are likely to be present does take the edge off their advantage somewhat, but it’s hard to look past the Amaranto netting a second straight win in their hunt for European football.

Man on fire: Andrea Soncin (Ascoli) – The journeyman striker has made an instant impact at his new club with a fine brace against Udinese.

Last season: Livorno 2-0 Ascoli

Form guide: Livorno (L D L L W) Ascoli (L L W L D)

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Galante, Rezaei, Pasquale; Balleri, Passoni, Morrone, A Filippini; Fiore; Lucarelli

Ascoli (probable): Pagliuca; Vastola, Melara, Nastase, Minieri; Zanetti, Boudianski, Pesce; Soncin, Fini; Bjelanovic

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