Roma vs Fiorentina - TalkSoccer

Rosa · 12-09-2004, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Two red cards and some fiery incidents characterised this game, but Vincenzo Montella allows Rudi Voller to get off to a winning start.

It has been a long, hot summer for Roma. Cesare Prandelli resigned due to his wife's ill health, while Rudi Voller had precious little time to adapt his players to a 4-4-2 formation. The German is also without the suspended Matteo Ferrari, injured Mido, Traianos Dellas, Gaetano D'Agostino, Damiano Tommasi and Cristian Chivu. At least Philippe Mexes was cleared to play after his six-week ban was put on ice pending an appeal.

Fiorentina make their return to the top flight after an eventful two years. Forced to start again from Serie C2, they skipped a division due to the expansion of Serie B, then won the promotion play-off with Perugia to earn their spot in Serie A. Now President Diego Della Valle has spent millions to assemble a stunning side that includes Hidetoshi Nakata, Juve's Fabrizio Miccoli and Enzo Maresca. However, on-loan Real Madrid striker Javier Portillo was surprisingly left on the bench.

The key moment came after just 13 minutes, as Francesco Totti pounced on a weak Tomas Ujfalusi backpass and as William Viali dragged him down it was an inevitable red card for a last man foul.

The resulting Totti free kick from the edge of the box was parried by Cristiano Lupatelli and the ex-Roma 'keeper then smothered Christian Panucci's follow-up. Antonio Cassano managed to get past Lupatelli, only for Dario Dainelli to perform a crucial challenge.

The Viola wouldn't give in and Ivan Pelizzoli got behind a fierce Miccoli free kick from 25 metres, but Coach Emiliano Mondonico had to shore up the midfield by introducing Luigi Piangerelli for Christian Rigano'.

Roma could not have gone closer than on the half-hour mark, as Mancini's free kick was met with a splendid Cassano volley with the inside of his right foot, but it slammed straight into the crossbar.

It was a very fiery match and before the break Fiorentina demanded action for an alleged Totti elbow on Maresca, but the referee waved play on. Soon after, Cassano managed to bring a deflected cross under control so that he was one on one with Lupatelli, but couldn't get the ball past the goalkeeper.

However, Cassano's personality problems are almost the equal of his talent and he was sent off for a reaction foul on Giorgio Chiellini, pushing the defender in the face. Again, the referee had no choice but to send the Roma star off, so both teams went into the half-time break in ten men.

Voller had to give his side a bit more fire upfront and threw on Vincenzo Montella for Perrotta, while Portillo replaced Jorgensen for the visitors. Totti's free kick was punched out as it was zipping towards the far corner of the net, but at the other end Miccoli's set-piece stung the palms of Pelizzoli.

The Viola really could not have gone much closer, as on 51 minutes Mexes' scuffed a goalline clearance from Portillo and the ball dribbled inches wide of the upright.

However, just as they were really under pressure, Roma took the lead with a classic counter-attack. Montella out-sprinted Dainelli to get on the end of a fine De Rossi searching pass and placed a delicate lob over the helpless Lupatelli.

Totti was also booked for diving, although replays suggest Ariatti might have made contact with the Roma captain.

Montella came very close to doubling his tally, but Lupatelli's intervention proved enough to slow the ball down and Fiorentina were able to clear the danger.

The Viola were not going to give in and Pelizzoli was called into a fine save on Piangerelli, but in the end Roma hung on for the precious victory.

Rosa · 12-09-2004, 03:12 PM

Really disappointed in Cassano, 2 steps forward and 1 step back with his temprement it seems. And he'd had some good chances in the 1st half as well.

Overall a good result, I'm pleased we've got off to a winning start.

**Jager** · 12-09-2004, 06:21 PM

I'm disappointed in him also. He was really playing well, until that incident. Not really sure what he was thinking, but if he wants to make the leap to "world class" level, he has to stop doing this shit.

Utterly pathetic, but at least you got the win.

So i guess he misses your CL match?

CantonaStillGod · 12-09-2004, 06:38 PM

I'm fed up of relying on Montella, I'd like to see A) Cassano stop acting like a 3 year old and B) Mido to do the same + get fit.

**Jager** · 12-09-2004, 07:23 PM

The team was playing great, and Cassano was on fire, until that incident.

Rosa · 12-09-2004, 07:50 PM

Montella is a great player, he's always plagued with injury but when fit he is almost alwasy on form. I'd far rather he play then Mido.

Also didn't think suspentions in doesmtic leagues affect european games?

shawshank1989ca · 12-09-2004, 08:53 PM

I still love Cassano, i'm sure he'll get better. I'm disappointed but happy we won.

::talksocc ::talksocc ::talksocc ::talksocc

**Jager** · 12-09-2004, 09:03 PM

Rosa:I'm not really sure, my mind is blank. Don't want to say either way.

Cassano is on the verge of a major breakthrough, and something like this can really effect you negatively. Luckily for him, his team won.

I positive he misses the next Roma game though, in serie a.

Rosa · 13-09-2004, 09:24 AM

he's deffinately out for our next serie a game, I can't even remember who we're playing though.

As for the CL i don't think it does affect that. But i'm not 100% sure either!

CantonaStillGod · 13-09-2004, 01:45 PM

I've heard of domestic suspensions affecting international games, but never in the CL

Rosa · 13-09-2004, 02:17 PM

The FA does that i know.

Anyway Voeller 'spoke to' Cassano on his own this morning so HOPEFULLY such an incident won't occur for a while.

ParmaKing · 15-09-2004, 03:49 AM

Cassano never fails to amaze me. So much talent, yet he can be "un stupido" at times.

Roma looked alright, but the real gem was Mexes. Great game by him.

CantonaStillGod · 15-09-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rosa
Anyway Voeller 'spoke to' Cassano on his own this morning so HOPEFULLY such an incident won't occur for a while.

Oooh our new boss is obviously a disciplinarian then ::gotcha::

Rosa · 15-09-2004, 04:11 PM

Cassano isn't going to play in todays CL game against Kiev and left tarining early today.

I want to know what the hell is going on, ecveryday there are 2 negative headlines about him and it's really making me depressed.

There is something up with him, I hope he'll be back.

CantonaStillGod · 15-09-2004, 06:04 PM

Yeah I do too, but he has to start behaving himself NOW, cus if he just acts the same as before, only showing glimpses of ability he's gonna be useless as a player and worthless in the transfer market. At the moment, if I had to choose between 25 million from Madrid for him or having him sulk on the bench it'd be no contest, the money would ensure the survival of the club I love.