Fiorentina ~ General Chat & Latest News

[Freddy Adu]

Fifth place is by no means a disaster, but it doesnt do justice to the Violas efforts this season and the Tuscans will be desperate to reassert themselves before the break. A 2-2 draw with Sampdoria last weekend was creditable and there can be no doubt that the hosts are strong favourites here. Strangely, Fiorentinas home form has been poor this term as they have won just three times on home soil, but this is the ideal chance to turn things around.

[Freddy Adu]

Cagliari are falling to pieces and the punch-drunk side suffered another blow with the resignation of boss Nedo Sonetti on Wednesday. Marco Giampaolo was recalled to the job yet again! With President Massimo Cellino constantly undermining his tacticians, the players are struggling to find any rhythm and are propping up the Serie A table.

[Freddy Adu]

The spat between Pasquale Foggia and Davide Marchini has further damaged morale at a side that cant buy a win. Defeat against Inter last weekend was almost inevitable, but the Sardinians have now gone 10 games without picking up maximum points and are still haunted by the memories of Week 15s 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Empoli.

[Freddy Adu]

The absence of inspirational goalkeeper Sebastien Frey is weighing heavily upon Fiorentina. Cristiano Lupatelli looked far from an adequate replacement as he blundered against Sampdoria, but he will have another chance to impress. Stopper Alessandro Potenza is still out injured and is the only absentee.

[Freddy Adu]

Cagliari continue to banish Foggia, who looks almost certain to leave in January. Goalkeeper Marco Fortin is also frozen out. Young Swiss midfielder Rijat Shala isnt ready for a debut due to injury and regular starter Davide Biondini is also on the treatment table.

[Freddy Adu]

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) The Romanian goal machine has filled the void left by Luca Toni and has the ability to turn any game around.

[Freddy Adu]

Last season: Fiorentina 1-0 Cagliari

[Freddy Adu]

Form guide: Fiorentina (L D L L D) Cagliari (L D L L L)

[Freddy Adu]

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

[Freddy Adu]

Cagliari (probable): Marruocco; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Ferri, Conti, Parola, Fini; Acquafresca, Matri

[Freddy Adu]

Ref: To follow...

[Freddy Adu]

FT Fiorentina 5 - 1 Cagliari

[Freddy Adu]

FT		Fiorentina [5 - 1] Cagliari
3'	[1 - 0]	R. Montolivo
5'	[1 - 1]		M. Fini
37'			M. Ferri
41'	[2 - 1]	A. Mutu
45'	[3 - 1]	A. Mutu (pen.)
47'	[4 - 1]	M.A. Santana
75'		D. Dainelli
79'	[5 - 1]	M.A. Santana

[Freddy Adu]

Damn I should have had Mutu and Santana on my fantasy team!

[Brasil]

Wtf is this.

[Freddy Adu]

Serie A Week 17 - 23/12/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina 5 - 1 Cagliari
Montolivo 3 (F), Fini 6 (C), Mutu 41, pen 45 (F), Santana 48, 80 (F)
Stadio Franchi

[Freddy Adu]

Adrian Mutu and Mario Alberto Santana struck twice to revive Fiorentina's Serie A form in five-star fashion and leave Cagliari rooted to the foot of the table.

[Freddy Adu]

Both these sides were trying to go into the Christmas break with a smile after some tumultuous times. The Viola were fresh from UEFA Cup qualification, but had not won in five Serie A games, while Cagliari had a truly chaotic week. Coach Nedo Sonetti resigned, the club announced Marco Giampaolo was returning a month after his dismissal, but the tactician refused and they convinced Sonetti to reconsider.

[Freddy Adu]

Propping up the table, the Sardinians welcomed back Pasquale Foggia after he was dropped amid the scandal of an alleged attack on teammate Davide Marchini, but were without a victory in 10. Sebastien Frey and Alessandro Potenza were out injured.

[Freddy Adu]

Cagliari's record here was appalling, not earning a point since January 1982 and last winning in April 1972.

[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina took less than three minutes to open the scoring, as Adrian Mutu rolled across to Riccardo Montolivo on the edge of the area to unleash an absolute missile with his right foot.

[Freddy Adu]

It didn't take long for the Sardinians to reply, as Foggia ran down the left and cut back for a deflected cross that was lashed home by Michele Fini.

[Freddy Adu]

It was a very open game and Cagliari threatened to take the lead, as Cristiano Lupatelli parried a Mancosu piledriver and Fini's follow-up.

[Freddy Adu]

Mutu restored the Viola's advantage before the break, getting in front of his marker to nod in Martin Jorgensen's cross at the near post.

[Freddy Adu]

In stoppages Paolo Bianco shoved Christian Vieri in the back, so Mutu stepped up to fire his penalty under the crossbar and extend Fiorentina's lead.

[Freddy Adu]

Mutu also created the fourth straight after the restart, cutting back to the edge of the area for Mario Alberto Santana, the low drive going between Marruocco's legs.

[Freddy Adu]

Cagliari did not give in, as Joaquin Larrivey fired a couple of chances over the bar, but Santana grabbed the fifth by running rins around Cristian Del Grosso to flash his shot into the far top corner.

[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina: Lupatelli; Jorgensen (Dainelli 46), Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Pasqual; Kuzmanovic, Liverani, Montolivo (Pazienza 69); Santana, Vieri, Mutu (Osvaldo 81)

[Freddy Adu]

Cagliari: Marruocco; Ferri, Canini, Bianco, Del Grosso; Fini, Conti (Cotza 82), Parola, Mancosu (D'Agostino 61), Foggia (Acquafresca 46); Larrivey

[Freddy Adu]

Ref: Russo