ACF Fiorentina

[RomaShield27]

Piece on Fiorentina's signing of Giuseppe Rossi, making comparisons to Baggio:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/nam ... 18?cc=5739

Also a piece on them agreeing a deal for new stadium, which can only be good news (if it actually goes through)

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... um?cc=5739

[p_maldini_3]

you have to wonder how fast all of this will come tumbling down when montella signs for a bigger club. i hope it/he doesn't.

[RomaShield27]

Well, if Zeman were to depart from Roma, I know who I want to replace him. Actually, not quite true – as I'd want Spalletti, but he seems out of the picture.

As I said at the start of this season that, in an ideal world, after Zeman does his stint at Roma, however long it may last, the ideal replacement would be Montella, as that would also give him time to continue to learn his trade at 'smaller' clubs. Of course, Montella continues impress and looks like he may be the real deal already.

[p_maldini_3]

if milan doesn't get guardiola, it will be montella.

[RomaShield27]

Why would Montella leave Fiorentina for a mid-table, broke, star-selling old club in decline?

Guardiola also said his preference would be to manage in England.

[RomaShield27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1622 ... p#comments
BY COLIN O'BRIEN (FEATURED COLUMNIST) ON APRIL 29, 2013

Stevan Jovetic and Giuseppe Rossi are a lot alike. Both were snapped up while still very young—Jovetic by Fiorentina and Rossi by Manchester United—and both know what it's like to have a long lay-off through injury.

But while the Montenegrin has been allowed to develop slowly into one of Europe's most complete forwards, first in the ranks of Partizan Belgrade and then in Florence, Rossi's life has been a nomadic existence.

The New Jersey-born Italian made a high-profile move from Parma to Manchester United as a teenager and was tipped for the top. Since then, he's been anywhere but. A fruitless loan-spell in Newcastle disappointed before a more promising turn back in Parma.

Rossi's move to Villareal looked like it was a good fit for the forward. Still young, but plagued by injuries, he found a team in which he could develop his considerable talents without the pressures that come with struggling somewhere like Old Trafford. Free from problems in 2010-11, he scored 32 goals in 56 games and suggested that great things were to come both in La Liga and with the Italian national team.

Then came two anterior cruciate ligament injuries and Villareal's relegation to the Segunda Division.

The same injury kept Jovetic out for a season in 2010, but when fit he's been a regular starter—and scorer—for Fiorentina since his move in 2008, a club that though not without its troubles, has performed well on a limited budget: the perfect proving ground for a young striker.

Now, the Viola have them both. So are they Serie A's next great strike partnership? Sadly, the answer's probably in the negative.

Injuries have dogged Rossi since he was a teen and there are reasonable doubts about his ability to consistently contribute to Fiorentina's cause. The €35 million release clause in his contract is a measure of his potential, but the €10 million bargain that Montella got in signing him is just as telling. He's a gamble and he came in as damaged goods. There's no other reason for a 26-year-old Italy international to go for less than double that.

Of course, injuries hampered Robin Van Persie for much of his life at Arsenal, but we all know how Manchester United's gamble on the Dutchman has been working out. If Rossi's fit, he's a game changer. He's also a player with a lot to prove. He could be an incredible signing for the Gigliati.

Anyway, injuries aren't what will stop this pair becoming the peninsula's most dynamic duo. It's Europe's biggest clubs who threaten to tear them apart before they've even had a chance to show us what might have been.

Arsenal are reportedly desperate to win Jovetic's affections and are rumoured to have already made a £25 million bid. Juventus have been long-time admirers, and Manchester City are lurking around, too. And that's not even counting Napoli, who could have a lot of money to spend if Edinson Cavani moves on to pastures new.

Vincenzo Montella will need a miracle to persuade Jovetic to stay. Fiorentina are a side in transition, with a talented young coach and a squad full of promise, not least in Adem Ljajic, who Jovetic has known since their Partizan days. But crucially, it's unlikely they'll be in the Champions League. And that's where Jovetic belongs.

Given a couple of seasons, Montella might put together a team that can challenge on a continental level. Or he might not. His stock is on the rise and an offer might come that's too good to refuse. The league's getting stronger, and it won't be so easy for the Florentines to improve on their budget.

So what's Jovetic to do? The romantics among us will urge him to stay and complete an exquisite forward line with Rossi. But a leading role for a top Premiershit side that competes in the Champions League is an offer no young striker could refuse. His new partner will know that better than anyone.

[DCGweez]

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/tacticsan ... 71?cc=5901

[RomaShield27]

This isn't good. No Jovetic – vice-captain and star player:

Fiorentina’s ‘missing’ quartet
Tuesday June 4 2013 / http://www.football-italia.net/34954/fiorentina’s-‘missing’-quartet

Stevan Jovetic, Emiliano Viviano, Adem Ljajic and David Pizarro are all missing from Fiorentina’s 2013-14 season ticket promotional poster.

The absence of the quartet is being viewed as significant given the uncertain futures of all four players in Tuscany.

Montenegro ace Jovetic is thought to have asked for a transfer, with Juventus and a number of English clubs keen.

Goalkeeper and Fiorentina fan Viviano, who was on loan from Palermo, may not be signed outright by the Viola.

Revelation Ljajic has just 12 months left on his contract, while Pizarro has asked for a transfer away from the Stadio Franchi.

The ‘Enjoy the Spectacle’ campaign does feature Giuseppe Rossi, Alberto Aquilani, Juan Cuadrado, Borja Valero, Stefan Savic, Gonzalo Rodriguez and captain Manuel Pasqual.

[DCGweez]

http://www.football-italia.net/35256/of ... fiorentina

Joaquin to Fiorentina. A nice winger at a fair price. Doing good work in Tuscany.

[red]

Would suggest that they are possibly wanting to focus more on 4-3-3 than 3-5-2 next season.

They were switching back and fore last season.

[p_maldini_3]

that's good, they'll get further with 4 at the back.

[red]

Certainly more likely to serve them well in Europe.

[RomaShield27]

Not sure about Joaquin, he could be a bit past it. Still, he might prove a useful squad player.

Who will Fiorentina get to replace Jovetic, I wonder? If he does leave, they are in bad need of some quality upfront. They will have Giuseppe Rossi ready to go, hopefully, but still need a good centre-forward i think.

[red]

He seemed to be fairly influential whenever I saw Malaga play this last season.

Not as quick as he was, but cleverer.

And they keep getting linked to Mario Gomez.

[forzaitalia]

I think Gomez has joined Fiorentina, or he's very close to anyway. Good coup for them.

[red]

Aye, cracking signing.

I'm not a huge fan of Gomez, but I'd expect him to score a fair amount of goals with the creative talent Fiorentina will have around him.

[RomaShield27]

Quality signing alright. He is the missing piece that they were missing last season. Although they may be missing more pieces if Jovetic (and Ljajic?) leaves. Would be great to see Jovetic stay, him and Gomez could work very well together.

[red]

Jovetic is on the way out.

Fiorentina can't afford the transfer fee and wages for Gomez without selling him.

Gomez-Rossi is a pretty useful pairing, though.

[p_maldini_3]

good to see fiorentina make such a big signing. if both fiorentina and roma can start off well, serie A should have a solid 6 or 7 teams that will battle it out for the top 3 CL places.

[Mehdinho]

A whole bunch of Seria A experts on here.. lol .

If anyone's interested in becoming an admin on my facebook page, do let me know