ACF Fiorentina

[Purple Hellequin]

Andrea Lazzari is now a Fiorentina player - apparently Aquilani to sign next week

[Jocksboy]

Good signings both. Lazzari cost 3m euros from Cagliari and is a left sided attacking midfielder. As a younster at Atlanta he scored all five goals that knocked the hated Juventus out of the Coppa Italia a few years back. That should make him an instant hit with Viola fans. No sign of anyone being interested in Gila yet. He says he is training hard and hoping for a move. If he doesn't get it an ideal set up would be Gila up front with Floccari just behind and Jo-Jo a little deeper to supply the service. Behrami could then take on the role of defensive midfielder, also futher back than he has been playing leavinbg the more attacking midfield role to Aquilani.

[Purple Hellequin]

Frey has signed for Genoa - absolutely gutted - beyond comprehension

[red]

[Jocksboy]

Caught the last twelve minutes of today's friendly v. Torino on Calcion.eu 0-0. Potential first teamers playing included Gambo, Pasqual, Natali, Ljajic, Baba and Marchionni. I didn't recognise anyone else and we were playing in the all yellow kit (like it) with no names on the back. Neto was in goal but all he had to do was take a couple of bye-kicks. Ljajic looked lively as did Baba. Marchionni was as feckless as usual. We had two attempts on goal - a header over by Gambo and a 20 yarder from Baba straight at the keeper.
Re the above. Floccari can play wider than Gila and often acted as a left winger for both Rimini and Lazio. I'm sure they could become a potent strike force - if Gila stays.

[Purple Hellequin]

If Floccari came it would be as back up to Gila not to play with him - now we are being linked with Pozzi

[Jocksboy]

You're probably right, given Miha's negative approach to tactics. I think it would be a pity, though. Too often last season Gila was left isolated with three defenders on his back. It was no coincidence that he had his best games when Mutu was just behind him. Floccari is a very mobile attacker, similar to the man who replaced him at Rimini, Matri. He can drift right or left, taking defenders with him, which would give Gila a bit more space in which to operate.

[red]

So how would you want that team to set up?

Floccari and Gilardino together up front, Jovetic just behind them and Vargas and someone on the wings?

Doesn't sound like a balanced side.

[Purple Hellequin]

Gila being linked with Genoa

[Jocksboy]

Floccari in the Mutu role with Jo-Jo lying deeper. W've offered Vargas to the hated Juventus in exchange for Quagliarella. That would put all our theorising out the window. Quag is a very similar player to Floccari in the way he likes to stray to the side, with the left also his preference.
I feel there's a good few changes likely to happen before the transfer window ends. I'm fairly certain Gila will be off if he gets the chance and I've a feeling the board would like to unload Vargas as well.

[Marco_Italia]

I've been disapointed with Fio's transfer campaign so far, i can't see them getting into Europe next season with their current squad. :/

[Jocksboy]

Me too. One or two good orramen among the signings, but nobody who's likely to set the heather on fire. Quagliarella might be a match winner if he could repeat his Udinese form, though I'd rather have Matri.

[RomaShield27]

Have you noticed I put Jovetic in (one of) the new banner? He's kinda like a new signing, in a way, isn't he? He's back fit and raring to go, right? Could be your main man this season.

[Jocksboy]

Fiorentina beat Gavoranno (Lega Pro 2) 3-1 in a friendly last night. The match was live on calcion.eu via the Viola Channel, but the picture and sound quality was so poor I couldn't follow the action at all and had no idea who was playing.

[RomaShield27]

Five-minute highlights of your abandoned friendly against Newcastle:



http://giancarlorinaldi.tumblr.com/post ... e-defeated

[aldair6]

Is Jovetic ready for the start of the season?
He was amazing for La Viola in the champions league 2 years ago and they seem to me a different team with him

[red]

I see Fiorentina are about to sign Kharja.

Not a player I thought a lot of when he was at Inter, but not a bad signing for Fiorentina.

[aldair6]

Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has turned down interest from Marseille and is on the verge of joining Genoa
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/ser ... h-to-genoa

[Marco_Italia]

Why was the friendly at Newcaslte friendly abandoned? I've been reading that Maxi Lopez is likely to replace Gilardino, would be a good replacement IMO, but they still lack both quality and depth. :/

[forzaitalia]

^ The rain Marco! Yeah Maxi Lopez is pretty good, although he seemed a little less prolific last season compared to second half of 09/10.