Serie A' MD24: A.S Roma - Fiorentina [24-02-08]

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 24 - 24/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Roma - Fiorentina
LIVE ON FIVE
Stadio Olimpico

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Roma and Fiorentina have both stumbled in recent weeks but now seem to have recovered their footing. Neither side will want to let themselves or their fans down by losing more points on their rivals for a Champions League spot in this game.

The Giallorossi have all but surrendered the Scudetto to Inter since Christmas, mostly due the awful away record that has seen them fall 11 points behind the leaders. They have picked up just one win in their last five games on their travels, hardly the form of potential champions.

However, at the Stadio Olimpico they have kept the hope alive by winning every match except one, the 4-4 draw with Napoli four months ago, since losing to Inter way back in September. In fact, they haven’t even conceded a League goal in the capital since the first game of December. With the added confidence boost from their Champions League win over Real Madrid in midweek, the fans will be hoping they can maintain that great home record.

Brazilian defender Juan returns to the starting line-up after his injury with Matteo Ferrari expected to be the man to make way, while Daniele De Rossi should also play after shaking off his illness to feature against Real on Tuesday. That means second-choice goalkeeper Gianluca Curci is the only player on Coach Luciano Spalletti’s injury list, although they will be without the suspended Amantino Mancini. Ludovic Giuly should take his place after being handed a starting place in midweek.

Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli will be without Alessandro Potenza, Massimo Gobbi and Christian Vieri for this crucial encounter. Tomas Ujfalusi should come back into the team at right-back to replace Potenza. The core of the side is available, but there is still one further change expected by the Viola. Surprisingly young Serbian midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic, scorer of their first in last week’s win over Catania, could be replaced by Fabio Liverani, who returns from injury.

After four consecutive wins, including their fantastic 5-1 demolition of Cagliari, the Gigliati’s defeat to Milan and 2-2 draw at Atalanta saw them risk losing their place in the top four. However, things look like they could be back on track after their win over Catania, but they will need to take that form on their travels with them. They have managed to hold off the threat of the Rossoneri so far and will be desperate to maintain their three-point advantage in the race for Champions League qualification.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian forward has been in sensational form recently and it will be interesting to see how he plays after the criticism he received for his showboating against Catania.

Last season: Roma 3-1 Fiorentina

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


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Roma (probable): Doni; Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto; De Rossi, Pizarro; Giuly, Perrotta, Taddei; Totti

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

Ref: To follow...

another tough game, at least we are at home.but that will mean nothing if cant win it .juve are breathing down our necks so this match is a huge one for us to secure our 2nd spot.fresh off from a disappointing game wch we have only ourselves to blame and a good win in the cl.

hope the wining momentum created from mid-week is carried on this game.

[D-Kin]

Forza Fiorentina.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti sees Viola danger Saturday 23 February, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti praised Fiorentina’s quality, but insisted there is no chance Roma will loosen their grip on second place.

Last week’s 1-0 defeat in Turin put Juventus within a point of the Giallorossi and there is the real risk of being overtaken as they face the Viola.

“In terms of second place having Juventus right behind our shoulders is a danger. They have great tradition and I am certain will have a wonderful season right to the end, so we must do the same to keep them back.

“What I can be sure of is that we have no risk of ‘letting go’ now.”

Francesco Totti has not been 100 per cent fit for a while and disappointed against the Bianconeri, but Spalletti is confident that situation won’t last.

“He is visibly improving and I am sure that soon he will be able to give his contribution, 100 per cent.”

Roma’s confidence was boosted by a midweek victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, but goalscorer Amantino Mancini is suspended for the Fiorentina showdown.

This means Mirko Vucinic should take the Brazilian’s place in the attacking trident supporting Totti.

“Fiorentina are a dangerous opponent, having an excellent campaign and progressing in the UEFA Cup too,” noted the Coach.

“They have a complete squad, as do we, and are one of the teams who play the best football.”

Christian Panucci is an injury doubt for the Sunday afternoon match, which will be shown live on Five from 13.45 on Sunday.

Roma squad: Antunes, Aquilani, Julio Sergio, Brighi, Cassetti, Cicinho, De Rossi, Doni, Esposito, Ferrari, Giuly, Mexes, Perrotta, Pit, Pizarro, Taddei, Tonetto, Totti, Vucinic, Zotti

well no mancini wch i prefer him more then vucinic, but hey we cant ne choosers and just have to keep on doing what we do best.

hoping for a good clean game as we do have cl to content wth in a forth night.

as spalletti pointed out we got to keep hold of the 2nd spot and fend off juve or the others.forza roma!!

[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 24 - 24/2/08 (14.00 UK)
Roma 1 - 0 Fiorentina
Cicinho 54 (R)
Stadio Olimpico

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Cicinho's goal proved enough to see off Fiorentina and take Roma within nine points of leaders Inter.

This was a mouth-watering fixture between second and fourth, but both teams were looking over their shoulders as Juventus and Milan pushed for their spots. Roma could rely on seven consecutive home victories, not conceding since the first game of December, and were buoyed by defeating Real Madrid 2-1 here midweek. Amantino Mancini was suspended, while the Viola had to do without Alessandro Potenza, Mario Santana and Giampaolo Pazzini. Fiorentina too impressed in Europe by getting past Rosenborg 3-1 on aggregate.

The Tuscans last conquered the capital on February 23, 1992 with a 3-1 result followed by four draws and eight defeats. Cesare Prandelli was briefly the Roma Coach in the summer of 2004, leaving before the season started to nurse his wife through an illness than tragically took her life in 2007.

Francesco Totti broke a new record, as with his 386th Serie A appearance he matched the career of Roma legend Giacomo Losi.

In the opening three minutes Fiorentina threatened an opener, as Alexandre Doni parried an Alessandro Gamberini header at the back post from point-blank range.

Adrian Mutu should have scored, but incredibly scuffed Franco Semioli's cutback with only the goalkeeper to beat. Mirko Vucinic also wasted a good opportunity with some wayward finishing.

Gamberini brilliantly stopped Totti in his tracks, then Sebastien Frey flew to palm a Cicinho screamer out from under the crossbar.

Mutu sprung the offside trap to go clear on goal, but Doni got back to take the ball off his foot. The incident was not a foul, but Mutu may have caught his studs in the turf and sprained his left knee, making way for January signing Ndiaye Papa Waigo.

Christian Vieri held off Matteo Ferrari to test Doni from distance, while after the break Frey did well to deny Vucinic.

Roma eventually broke through in curious fashion after 54 minutes. Vucinic deserved much of the credit, as he dribbled into the area and his shot was deflected into the path of Cicinho from six yards. However, there were questions over Totti's offside position.

Fiorentina fought back immediately, a Kuzmanovic screamer from 20 metres clattering against the crossbar.

Frey kept the Viola in it with a great save on Totti, who had sprung the offside trap, then at the other end Ferrari's mistake almost handed the Tuscans an equaliser.

Ludovic Giuly, Papa Waigo and Totti tried their luck from distance. Goalscorer Cicinho saw red in stoppages for a second bookable offence.

Fiorentina tried to take advantage with Gamberini's header off target.


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Roma: Doni; Cicinho, Ferrari, Mexes, Tonetto; De Rossi, Aquilani; Taddei (Perrotta 62), Vucinic (Cassetti 67), Giuly (Pizarro 79); Totti

Fiorentina: Frey; Kroldrup, Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Gobbi; Kuzmanovic, Jorgensen, Montolivo (Cacia 68); Semioli, Vieri, Mutu (Papa Waigo 43)

Ref: Morganti

Sent off: Cicinho 93 (R)

phewww cant hold your nerves better then this.a win is a win.

weird game though, the scores gets his marching orders in the et.well he should be starting more.

[sinoy1]

Read it was a weak red card...Cicinho should definately start more.Vucinic had a great game but was subbed even tho he was man of the match.

[dukeofdavinci]

yeah he was already in a yellow, so its just down to the ref though since they are coming down on fire very bad this term.

[dukeofdavinci]

Spalletti picks up momentum Sunday 24 February, 2008

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Luciano Spalletti can’t wait to face Inter on Wednesday, but Cesare Prandelli feels Adrian Mutu’s injury was decisive in Rome.

The 1-0 victory over Fiorentina – and the Nerazzurri’s 1-1 at Sampdoria – has reduced the gap at the top of the table to nine points just days before a head-to-head battle at San Siro.

“I think up until now Roma have had a great season and if Inter are nine points in front then they have been almost impeccable,” said Spalletti.

“It still seems like a very large gap, though. It is difficult to play every three days and that means we are all playing below our capabilities at the moment. Inter are better in the air and from set-pieces, we play well with the ball to feet at pace, so we must try to push the game towards our characteristics.”

Fiorentina also played in Europe midweek and that clearly affected their performance at the Olimpico.

“Despite this situation, the two teams faced each other openly and there could have been many more goals for both sides, but the prerogative was to ensure the fans enjoyed themselves.”

The turning point of the encounter saw Mutu stretchered off with a sprained left knee in the first half and Prandelli felt that was crucial.

“He feels a little pain in the collateral ligament, but we hope it is only a bruise because it was a very hard sprain.

“This injury gave Roma the psychological advantage in a moment in which we were playing well. Overall the team’s performance was positive.”

It leaves the Viola at risk of being caught by Milan in the race for fourth place this weekend.

“It is not a missed opportunity to consolidate fourth, as there will be other chances to pick up points. The regret is we failed to convert some of our first half scoring opportunities.”

another freakin big game.wonder how the hell figc schedules the matches.crappy the least.but no point complaining now just got to get on wth the battle.