ACF Fiorentina

[Carlo Romano]

Ahmed & JG, I agree Fiorentina should have scored at least one more. That free kick goal by Mutu will be one of the goals of this entire CL campaign. I don't however agree on Gilardino who may come good as the season progresses but as we again saw last night he is not the kind of centroavanti who can hold up the ball for support to arrive, he is a straight target man...except at this point in time he still has trouble hitting the backside of a bus with a banjo despite his vital colpo di testa!

I hope Don Marcello whom we saw in the director's box with Arrigo Sacchi was not there to assess Gila's performance for gli Azzurri because if so he had a wasted trip! Speaking of directors, i fratelli Della Valle, I wouldn't wish misfortune on their team because of my intense dislike of those two schifosi if only for Italy's sake...and for that reason alone I hope La Viola progress.

Watching Vargas and Mutu tonight though was very hard, knowing what could have been from my point of view!

[Messinterista]

[tonykart]

[Messinterista]

Mutu Ordered To Pay £14m

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu must pay his former side £14 million in compensation following his failed drugs test four years ago, according to a FIFA ruling.

After completing a £15.8 million move from Italian side Parma in 2003, traces of cocaine were found in the Romania international’s sample after just a year at the club.

The Blues moved quickly to sack the then 25-year old, but upon completing the seven-month ban he was handed, the forward moved to Juventus for free in 2005.

The move angered the west Londoners who issued a court appeal against Mutu, with FIFA’s dispute resolution chamber (DRC) eventually ruling that the 64-capped star must pay the hefty sum to his former employers as a result of his breach of discipline.

“This is an important decision for football," a Chelsea club statement said.

"Not only did the DRC make as a very significant monetary award, the decision also recognised the damaging effect incidents involving drugs have on football and the responsibilities we all have in this area.

"Chelsea will now be following the process laid out in the DRC's decision to claim the money from Mutu."

Mutu is expected to appeal the decision, with his representatives opposed to the DRC intervention from the beginning.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=819344

[RomaShield27]

Mutu 'quits international football'
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... ep10i.html – Wednesday 10 September, 2008

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has retired from international football, according to a Romanian newspaper. Mutu has been the key man for Romania over the last few years, but there's increasing friction between the Viola ace and boss Victor Piturca. And newspaper Libertatea claims that Mutu was livid with Piturca's assertion that Romania would still have lost 3-0 to Lithuania had the ex-Chelsea man been able to play. While Libertatea insists that Mutu has decided to quit international football, Piturca claims he hasn't been told.

“I haven't heard anything yet,â€

[Messinterista]

Trappatoni: Jovetic Is A Phenomenon

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has labelled Fiorentina youngster Stefan Jovetic a 'real phenomenon'...

Stefan Jovetic arrived at Fiorentina this summer and he has already received plenty of praise from fans, pundits, and teammates for his performance as a substitute against Juventus.

The 18-year-old showed plenty of potential, and Giovanni Trapattoni believes that he can become one of the world's best players in time.

"Jovetic is really a phenomenon," claimed the former Fiorentina coach. "He has a good touch on the ball, imagination, and leaves you short of breath. He also has a great personality if it is true that at 18 years of age he takes penalties."

The Montenegrin international transferred from Partizan Belgrade this summer and cost Fiorentina €8 million for his signature, but Trapattoni believes he is worth it, especially under the guidance of current Viola coach Cesare Prandelli.

"The only risk is that he could become a little narcissistic. He is a talent the Fiorentina fans have dreamt of, but of course there is the great Cesare, I mean Prandelli, who is a teacher and guide for Jovetic," explained the ex-Bayern Munich boss.

Trapattoni's statements are similar to those of star Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu's on Friday, who also praised Jovetic's potential and skill.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=861702

[RomaShield27]

Benzema strike stuns Fiorentina
http://sport.setanta.com – by Richard Field, 17 September 2008

Lyon came back from a two goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in a bad tempered Champions League encounter. Last season’s double winners were initially undone by Alberto Gilardino’s brace of headed goals in the first half at Stade de Gerland. The prolific Ligue 1 winners produced a grandstand finish with Frederic Piquionne converting in the 73rd minute and the impressive Karim Benzema blasted home five minutes from fulltime to complete the comeback.

This game began in scrappy fashion with the likes of Benzema and Adrian Mutu unable to get their feet on the ball and play. Fred forced the first save with a grubber which Sebastian Frey pouched in the Fiorentina goal as the high tempo continued, with the French side driving forward. From a corner, Mathieu Bodmer hit the crossbar from a prone position to warn The Viola of their intent.

Last year’s Uefa Cup semi-finalists were unshaken though as they produced a classic counterattack with a Luciano Zauri cross finding the head of Gilardino who beat the committed Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 11th minute. The Serie A side were close to adding a second when Sergio Almiron’s rasping shot from a free-kick just missed the angle of crossbar and post. The second goal did arrive for Fiorentina in the 42nd minute, against the run of play, when Mutu marauded down the right wing and crossed for Gilardino to head back across the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net.

The uncompromising Fiorentina defender Per Kroldrup was putting himself about, and his crunching tackles were often having the last say. Benzema huffed and puffed down the left wing but his efforts were largely in vein as the men in violet were able to plan in advance for his deliveries. The striker then did click with Jeremy Toulalan who saw his curling strike repelled by Sebastian Frey. The Italian shot stopper was at it again, when he saved well from Benzema who had raced on to Sidney Govou’s neat back heel.

Lyon boss Claude Puel tried a new bag of tricks to try and find a way back with Ederson replacing Jean Makoun. Dario Dainelli was lucky to escape with a yellow card as his raking tackle resulted in Benzema requiring treatment and the stretcher was again brought out when Felipe Melo produced a diabolical challenge. On both occasions, Juninho had let fly with two disappointing free-kicks to frustrate the home supporters.

This bitterness continued when Benzema, who looked a mile offside, passed for substitute Piquionne to side foot the ball into the net. The goal caused another crowd scene with the referee producing two yellow cards as he again refused to give anyone their marching orders. Zauri had been flattened prior to the Lyon goal and he did leave the game via the stretcher, with Lyon completing their resurrection when Juninho and Benzema outfoxed the visitors from a set-piece with the latter drilling the ball past a despairing Frey.

Puel will welcome this result as the new boss has been charged with the task of bringing some European silverware to the club.

Star man: Karim Benzema 8 – He led from the front and struck the equaliser to spare Lyon’s blushes following their domination of this fixture.

[Messinterista]

[morra10]

[Messinterista]

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[Messinterista]

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[Messinterista]

[RomaShield27]

Della Valle Slams Viola Fans
www.Goal.com – 01/10/2008 19:30

Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle has slammed the fans who booed, jeered and heckled the players after the 0-0 draw with Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday night. The Viola were held by the Romanian side at the Artemio Franchi in their second Champions League group F game when there was high expectation of maximum points.

Fiorentina were not great on the night and they were subjected to whistles, boos and insults by their own fans. Della Valle has now reacted to the behaviour of the tifosi and he believes they are wrong, especially given the fact that the team has done so much to get where it is.

"I never expected this reaction from our fans, It's not right," grumbled Della Valle to Tuttosport. "We have invested plenty of money in this club and we have taken the team back to the Champions League after an eight year absence.

"However, now we have to look forward as always. I will always have great trust in my team and coach." Fiorentina's hopes of qualification are hanging in the balance as two draws in as many games will not help their chances of making the last 16.

[Messinterista]

Report: Prandelli Lined Up To Replace Ranieri

According to Tuttosport, Juventus are lining up Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli to replace Claudio Ranieri at the end of the season.

Ranieri took over the reigns in Turin from Didier Deschamps in the summer of 2007, and in his first season led Juve to a third place finish in Serie A.

However, the Tinkerman is not too popular with the Bianconeri fans, most of whom believe that he is not the man to take them back up to the summit of Italian and European football.

Ranieri has come under serious pressure over the last few days after a succession of poor results, including two consecutive draws in Serie A and, worst of all, a humiliating 2-2 draw away at Belarus minnows BATE Borisov in the Champions League.

Tuttosport claims that if Ranieri fails this season to win any trophies his three year-contract at the club will be terminated.

The Bianconero management will then turn their attentions to Cesare Prandelli, who has been doing excellently at Fiorentina since taking over there in 2005.

Prandelli is closely attached to Juventus as he was a player there from 1979-85, during the glory days of Giovanni Trapattoni.

An offer to take over at Juventus would be very difficult for Prandelli to turn down, and he also believes that he has taken Fiorentina, back in the Champions League this season, as far as he possibly can.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=892252

[RomaShield27]

Antognoni crowns Montolivo
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_ ... ct11l.html – Saturday 11 October, 2008

Fiorentina and Italy legend Giancarlo Antognoni praised Riccardo Montolivo as “my heir to the Number 10 shirt.â€

[Messinterista]

brought back from the dead? now all we need is some fiorentina tifosi.

[Messinterista]

I Still Love Florence - Batistuta

Former Fiorentina striker Gabriel Batistuta talked about new Viola star Alberto Gilardino and his affection for his former club.

Former Fiorentina legend Gabriel Batistuta, who even has a statue made in his honor in Florence, gave his take on new Viola striker Alberto Gilardino, whom he sees as a possible heir to his throne after making a solid start to the season.

"At Milan Gilardino did not get the confidence he deserved," he said. "Today I think he is a mature player, and I am convinced he can do well in Florence, even though I can't say how many goals he will score."

The former Argentine international then talked about his love for the club and even about his secret ambitions for the future: "During my career I have shown I am very close to Florence, and I continue to feel this connection today. That's why it bothers me when they ask me if I still love this city.

"I would like that they remembered what I gave up just to stay there. A managing role? Yes, I would like to be a part of this project."

Finally, on the Scudetto race, he said: "Fiorentina can improve on their finish of last year, but for the Scudetto I think Inter are favorites."

Batistuta played nine years for Fiorentina, scoring 168 Serie A goals, before moving to Roma in 2000 and Inter in January 2003. He then played his last two playing seasons at Al-Arabi.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=907492