ACF Fiorentina

[Jocksboy]

A good victory on Wednesday, though again it wasn't the strongest opposition. Some pluses to be taken from the game. Pasqual looks to be back to near his best and what little I saw of Romulo was encouraging. He appears to have plenty confidence for a 19 year old. Are there any Italian speaking lip readers about? I'd love to know what Cerci said to Miha when he was subbed. One thing for sure - it wasn't thank you!

[Jocksboy]

An impressive performance last night. If we can play like this all season a top six place may not be impossible. A pleasing feature for me was that any one of six or seven players could have been our man of the match. the back four were magnificent, Boruc was sound and Cerci and Jo-Jo caused plenty problems for the Napoli defence.

[RomaShield27]

Jasus, death threats for Montolivo on Facebook, thats not good.

http://www.forzaroma.info/news-calcio/5 ... ebook.html

[ferri]

just backfrom holiday and managed to make the fiorentina v bologna game. was very impressed with casssani and cerci. looked like they had already connected and saw this again in the match on sunday there. wasn't any jeering for monto but wasn't cheering either. then it was the first home game of season. have to say I have never baked so much at a football game - it was roasting!

[RomaShield27]

Viola hopeful over Jovetic
– October 3, 2011 – By ESPNsoccernet staff

Fiorentina hope to be able to announce "good news" on Stevan Jovetic's contract extension in the near future. Jovetic, who suffered a serious injury last season, has been linked with a number of top European clubs and his agent, Fali Ramadani , recently said: "There are many teams interested in Jojo and among these could be Chelsea."

However, the Montenegro international appears to be happy with the Viola and it is reported that he will soon commit his future to the club until 2016.

"He's an extraordinary player," honorary president Andrea Della Valle told the Corriere dello Sport. "We certainly don't want to deprive ourselves of his ability, but there is no need to put pressure on him regarding his contract.

"There is plenty of time to discuss this matter and we'll soon be able to give you some good news about the situation." Jovetic, 21, joined Fiorentina from Partizan Belgrade in 2008 and his current deal runs for another two years.

[RomaShield27]

Good new for Viola fans:

Official: Jovetic pens new contract
– Saturday 15 October, 2011

As expected, Stevan Jovetic has officially extended his contract with Fiorentina to June 2016. The Montenegro international was out for an entire year after damaging knee ligaments in the summer of 2010.

He is now back to full fitness and firing on all cylinders, attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United.

However, Fiorentina have locked down Jovetic by officially extending his contract to June 30, 2016. President Andrea Della Valle confirmed there is no buy-out clause in the deal.

“We agreed a new contract with Jovetic and the lad proved he really wants to continue here in Florence. We had a brief chat this morning, even if our directors worked all week.

“At least for the next five years, we’ll see him in the Viola jersey. It was the news I wanted to give to all our fans. The lad wanted this and so did we. After a difficult year in which the club was close to him, we want to begin again from Jovetic. It’s an important sign.”

[Jocksboy]

Interesting article on the Viola on the footballitilia website yesterday. Most of it dealt with the unpopularity of Miha and the Vargas disciplinary problems but the final paragraph was enlightening. Apparently Miha tried to persuade Babacar to go out on loan for the season, but Baba insisted he wanted to stay at the Franchi and fight for his first team place. Miha promptly dropped him from the first team squad and now he's playing for the Primavera. The supporters are furious. Most reckon that in Gila's absence Baba is a better option than Silva. I must say I agree.

[RomaShield27]

http://www.thefootballramble.com/blog/e ... tober-1999

[RomaShield27]

Montolivo apologises for conduct

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

November 7, 2011

Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has apologised for laughing during a minute's silence that was held in memory of the victims of the flash floods in Liguria.

Six people died at the weekend due to adverse weather conditions in Genoa and its surrounding area.

A minute's silence was observed in every Serie A game on Sunday and television images showed Italy international Montolivo smiling and laughing during that time.

"I am ashamed of my smile during the minute's silence,'' Montolivo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's a gesture that I don't remember but it's inexplicable and absolutely out of place.

"I didn't realise the minute's silence had already started and the tension ahead of the game can sometimes make you do things that you would not do otherwise.

"However, there are no excuses for that and hence, I apologise to all the people that felt offended by it and I send my condolences to the families of the victims of the flash floods.''

[forzaitalia]

"I didn't realise the minute's silence had already started."

I smell bullsh*t!

[RomaShield27]

Yep, seems a bit dodgy alright!

Looks like Mihajlovic could be shown the door, rumours of Delio Rossi replacing him.

Good piece here from James Horncastle on Mihajlovic's troubles:

http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/serieaaaaa ... ntina.aspx

[Jocksboy]

Delio Rossi will replace Sinisa Mijhalovic as Viola coach some time this week. (Thank heaven!). No official comunique has been issued as yet because Miha has apparently not formally accepted his dismissal. Let's hope he does it quickly so that the new man can have at least ten days working with the squad before the next match.

[Lupa]

I think it's official now that Delio Rossi replaced Mijhalovic today.

[RomaShield27]

Poor old Mijhalobitch. He never really had a chance, did he? As in he himself, he was clueless, like. Delio Rossi should do better for them.

This is the Montolivo incident. Not much in it, but not sure how he can say the minutes silence hadn't started. It was quite, em, silent...

[forzaitalia]

He'd have been better just apologising rather than saying he didn't know the silence had started - people will have even less respect for him now, after lying and trying to worm his way out of the situation.

[red]

The suggestion seems to be that Gamberini farted, which set Montolivo off giggling.

[RomaShield27]

Camporese pens Viola deal
http://www.football-italia.net/node/13116? – By Football Italia staff

Fiorentina have renewed the contract of young centre-back Michele Camporese, the Serie A club have confirmed.

The Viola stopper is now committed to the Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit until the summer of 2016.

Camporese, born in Pisa in 1992, joined Fiorentina’s youth system as an 11-year-old. He made his Serie A debut in November 2010 in a game against Milan.

Camporese is currently an Italian Under-21 international after representing the nation’s U-16, U-17, U-18 and U-19 teams.

[RomaShield27]

Cool site: http://en.violachannel.tv/

[RomaShield27]

By Football Italia staff - Thursday December 15 2011 - http://www.football-italia.net/node/13832?

Teammates in Argentina and opponents on Saturday, Atalanta’s Maxi Moralez has defended Fiorentina’s Santiago Silva’s poor start to life in Serie A. The duo spent over a year together playing in the Argentine League for Velez Sarsfield and both played a key role in guiding their club to a League title in 2011.

Form during this time prompted Atalanta to pay the €8m buy-out clause on Moralez’ contract and Fiorentina to pay the €1.73m buy-out clause on Silva’s contract, bringing them both to Serie A.

However, where Moralez has settled into life and continued his club form in Bergamo, Silva has struggled to impress in Florence. In preparing to greet his old club colleague at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in this Saturday’s League fixture between their two current teams, Moralez has taken the time to speak up for Silva.

“It is hard when you come over here to play, especially for him as he has found himself in a strong team with many attackers.

“Silva has had a difficult start but as far as I know he is a great player and will give a big hand to Fiorentina. I will talk to him at the end and we will exchange shirts.

“Fiorentina are a strong team with good players, which is why I think he will soon adapt to the Italian championship.”

Moralez also reflected on his own, more successful adaptation to Italian football.

“Coming from a different league, to a better one, I have come into one of the most prestigious in the world, the Italian one.

“Sometimes [adapting] can take a lot more ‘heart’ and this is the biggest difference between the two. I am finding myself at ease within this club, with the city and the fans, who are treating me well.

“I am learning Italian but it takes time to improve and I think I will in the next year. The Bergamo dialect, however, is too difficult to learn.

“I like Bergamo because it is quiet. Buenos Aires is much more passionate - for a player it is good to know that we can work with peace of mind, not to mention that my girlfriend is happy.”

Curiously, Silva shares the same nickname as German Denis, ‘Tanque’, and whilst he has only good things to say of Silva, Moralez made sure there was no confusion when asked which Tanque he felt was better.

“Our Tanque is the best, he is the top scorer in the League and is crucial for us. If he continues then we hope he can reach 20 goals. Against La Viola I hope to find suitable spaces to express my football.”

[RomaShield27]

FIORENTINA CLUB FOCUS: WHO SHOULD LA VIOLA BUY IN JANUARY?
Posted on Saturday, 24th December 2011 by Kevin Tarbuck

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2011/12 ... n-january/?

Few clubs will welcome the impending winter break and January transfer window with as much enthusiasm as Fiorentina. It has been a miserable campaign for the Tuscan side so far, with the appointment of Delio Rossi following Sinisa Mihajlovic’s sacking yet to produce the expected upturn in fortune.

The chance to regroup and plot a course for the remainder of the season could therefore not have come at a better time. Against a backdrop of supporter unrest, player indiscipline, injury and indifferent form, it is vital that the club – or more specifically sporting director Pantaleo Corvino – can make the moves required to steer the club in the right direction once again.

With no European football and the prospect of a relegation battle ahead, it is unlikely that the Viola will be attracting any marquee names to the Artemio Franchi this winter. With that in mind, here is a realistic appraisal of a number of players who could be both attainable and improve the team in a number of key areas.

In defence, the side have been frustratingly inconsistent this season; magnificent one week, yet porous the next. In their 15 league matches so far, they have managed a reasonably impressive seven clean sheets. However, in the eight matches in which they have conceded, they have shipped two goals on no fewer than seven occasions.

Artur Boruc is by no means an awful keeper, but he is no Sebastian Frey, and the decision to replace the Frenchman with him was one of the more mystifying acts of Mihajlovic’s tenure. Boruc is a decent shot stopper, but he just does not inspire the same level of confidence as Frey did, and is frequently at fault for the goals that Fiorentina concede.

With only 22-year-old Brazilian Neto as an alternative, bringing in an experienced head to replace Boruc should he continue to blow hot and cold is one option available to Rossi.

With Tottenham Hotspur out of both the Europa League and the Carling Cup, opportunities for Carlo Cudicini are going to be few and far between. Still hugely talented, the 38-year-old has just one Serie A appearance to his name – for Lazio in the 1996/97 season – and would be an ideal back up if he could be persuaded to return to the peninsula to see out his career.

The regular centre back pairing of Alessandro Gamberini and Cesare Natali have looked sluggish at times this season, and Rossi may look to strengthen in this position. Yohan Tavares, currently playing for Portuguese Primera Liga side Beira Mar, would reportedly be available for around the €2million mark.

Just 23-years-old, he is adept at snuffing out danger early with either foot or with his head, and is capable of making a clean tackle without going to ground. The young Frenchman has been attracting the attention of sides across Europe, and could be a suitable long term replacement for the ageing Natali.

In midfield, the protracted saga involving Riccardo Montolivo’s seemingly inevitable departure has cast a shadow over the side for far too long. The Azzurri international will be out of contract in the summer, but his indifferent form so far this season means that a parting of the ways in January might be best for all concerned.

A replacement would therefore become a necessity, and this is one area in which the Viola might struggle. Palermo’s Josip Ilicic would be an ideal, like for like replacement. Exceptionally skilful and with a flair for the unexpected, the Slovenian was a key figure during Rossi’s tenure in charge of the Rosanero, and he has been heavily linked with a departure from Sicily in January.

However, as things stand, a move to the Viola would likely be viewed as a sideways or backwards step, and with both Inter and Juventus reportedly interested, Fiorentina may not be a viable candidate for his signature.

Roma’s Leandro Greco is another talented, box to box midfielder who could conceivably slot quite comfortably into the Viola midfield. Out of contract next summer and unable to cement a regular place in Luis Enrique’s experimental Giallorossi side, he has been made available for transfer in January, and could be the answer to Rossi’s midfield dilemma.

Anderlecht’s Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia has also been linked with a January move to Tuscany and just like Greco or Ilicic would be an ideal replacement for Montolivo. However, with defending champions AC Milan also reportedly showing an interest, the Viola may again be viewed as the less attractive option and subsequently miss out.

Further forward, goal scoring has proven to be a problem this season, with just 15 goals scored in Serie A at the time of writing; two thirds of which were shared by Stevan Jovetic and Alessio Cerci. On his day, Jovetic is one of the finest players in the division, but unfortunately his fitness cannot always be relied upon. Meanwhile, Cerci has fallen dramatically out of favour since the arrival of Rossi.

Elsewhere, Alberto Gilardino has struggled since returning from a knee injury sustained in the opening weeks of the campaign, whilst Santiago Silva has struggled to adapt since arriving from Velez Sarsfield in the summer. The addition of one or two forwards to the side is therefore essential during the transfer window.

Though recently bestowed with the dubious honour of this year’s Bidone d’Oro, Inter’s Diego Milito could be an ideal addition to Rossi’s side if he is deemed surplus to requirements at the San Siro.

This year has seen a dramatic fall from grace for a player who was instrumental in Inter’s treble success of 2010, but it is quickly becoming apparent that he and Giampaolo Pazzini are incompatible up front, and perhaps the chance to resurrect a flagging career at the Artemio Franchi could be just what the Argentine needs.

Elsewhere, FC Koln’s Lukas Podolski has been linked with a move to the Viola in recent days. The German international has pace, strength and a deadly left foot, and would be an excellent addition to Rossi’s side. However with Napoli, Arsenal and Zenit St. Petersburg all reportedly lining up bids, and with all three able to offer Champions League football, the 26-year-old’s destination is likely to be elsewhere.

A much more realistic acquisition would be Manchester United’s Federico Macheda. The Italian youngster made headlines in April 2009 with a stunning last minute winner against Aston Villa on his professional debut. It was a goal that swung that season’s title race in United’s favour, but he has since struggled to build on that initial early promise.

Last season, he endured a woeful loan spell with Sampdoria, netting just one Coppa Italia goal as the Blucerchiati were relegated, and rumours are rife that he will again be farmed out on loan during the coming transfer window. It would be a huge gamble, but the 20-year-old undoubtedly has talent, and perhaps Fiorentina could offer him the chance to prove it.

Whatever happens over the coming weeks, the second half of the season is likely to be a difficult one for Rossi and his side. In August, hopes were high that the club could make a serious push for a European place come the season’s end, but that dream has long since dissipated.
Relegation should be unthinkable, but a mid-table finish and the chance to rebuild in the summer would arguably represent a successful end to the season if the opening months of the campaign are anything to go by.

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