Fiorentina ~ General Chat & Latest News

[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina
Full name	ACF Fiorentina SpA
Nickname(s)	La Viola (The Purple Ones) Gigliati (Lilies)
Founded	August 26, 1926 (AC Fiorentina) 2002 (ACF Fiorentina)
Ground	Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy
Capacity	47,282
Chairman	Andrea Della Valle
Manager	Cesare Prandelli
League	Serie A
2006-07	Serie A, 6th
Home colours 　 Away colours

[Freddy Adu]

Prandelli: Viola gave their all Sunday 7 October, 2007

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Cesare Prandelli insists he could not have asked for more from his Fiorentina side after they battled to a 1-1 draw with Juventus.

“We were in the thick of the action right from the start and until Vincenzo Iaquinta’s opening goal, Juve did not have a single chance,” said the tactician.


“All we were missing was a little bit of sharpness, but I could not have asked for more from my men. Despite the fitness worries, they overcame that obstacle with sheer heart.”


The Viola had played 120 minutes against Groningen in the UEFA Cup on Thursday and so were understandably tired, but still had the better of the overall play.


“We found a Juventus side who were very careful and then in the second half we only really ran risks on the counter-attack.”


There were some controversial moments, as the Juventus goal could have been disallowed for a David Trezeguet offside position and Christian Vieri had late penalty appeals.


“Some say we don’t complain enough, but we are the ones who must try to calm the tension in football,” warned Prandelli.


“We met with the UEFA delegates this week as well and they asked everyone to be fair, which does not mean being weak. We didn’t put the referee under pressure, but with an incident in our favour perhaps the game would have changed.”

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[Freddy Adu]

Claudio Ranieri rues the chances Juventus missed to secure victory in Florence and explains why Alex Del Piero was dropped.

“It is a shame, as we had several clear-cut opportunities on the counter-attack in the second half,” said the Bianconeri boss after their 1-1 draw with Fiorentina.

Vincenzo Iaquinta had given Juve the lead, but a last-minute spot-kick from Adrian Mutu for Nicola Legrottaglie’s handling offence equalised.

“The penalty was the correct decision, as Legrottaglie had his arms spread pretty wide. It is also true the referee could have disallowed our goal for David Trezeguet’s offside position.”

Ranieri had stated this match would prove whether Juventus were Scudetto material and the answers are inconclusive.

“We want to compete, but we can only do so if the other big clubs give us the opportunity. We did enough to win today, but weren’t sharp enough in those final minutes.”

Tinkerman surprised many by leaving Del Piero on the bench in favour of Iaquinta – who scored their goal.

“I needed Iaquinta as he is a player who attacks space and, knowing we would be under pressure, needed two fast wingers. That is all there is to it.”

Tiago Mendes is reportedly looking at a move to Portugal after he was again left out for Sergio Almiron.

“Almiron is a splendid player and when we put together the squad we tried to form a real team. Almiron can play or not and the same goes for Tiago. I pick players thinking of who can help us win, not who cost more on the transfer market.”

CH4

[Freddy Adu]

Collina speaks out about the goal:

Referee designator Pierluigi Collina defends Nicola Rizzoli’s decision to allow Juventus’ goal against Fiorentina and La Gazzetta dello Sport agrees.

The Viola were outraged as David Trezeguet seemed to block goalkeeper Sebastien Frey’s vision while standing offside as Vincenzo Iaquinta fired home.

Rizzoli allowed the goal to stand claiming that the French striker hadn’t interfered with play and Collina admits that it is a tough rule to apply.

“The only person who could tell us beyond any doubt is Frey as he knows if Trezeguet disturbed him,” Collina explained on Domenica Sportiva.

“It’s a very complicated situation as if the referee’s assistant had flagged nobody would have said anything, but Trezeguet’s position is only punishable when he disturbs Frey.

“It’s all about the way the rules are interpreted,” the Bologna native continued.

“The referee has to make a decision and take responsibility so his discretion plays a vital role.”

Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli won plaudits from the calcio community by refusing to question Rizzoli’s verdict.

Meanwhile, La Gazzetta dello Sport has studied images from Frey's point of view and believes that the French shot-stopper's view may have been impeded by teammate Alessandro Gamberini.

Slow motion replays also indicate that Trezeguet arrived in front of Frey after the ball had passed him and therefore couldn't have blocked Frey illegally.

CH4

[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina vs Siena

Serie A 2007/2008 | Campeonato | Day 8

Fiorentina Siena

Date 2007-10-21 City Firenze Stadium Artemio Franchi Referee

Last Matches

League	Home	Result	Away	Tournament
SA	Fiorentina	1-0	Siena	Serie A 2006/2007
SA	Fiorentina	2-1	Siena	Serie A 2005/2006
SA	Fiorentina	0-0	Siena	Serie A 2004/2005

[Freddy Adu]

Montolivo is set to sign a new contract with Fiorentina until 2012.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[Freddy Adu]

UEFA: Viola face Spanish test Tuesday 9 October, 2007

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Fiorentina have a favourable draw for the UEFA Cup Group stage, but they must face Giuseppe Rossi’s Villarreal and Palermo’s conquerors Mlada Boleslav.

The Viola squeezed past Dutch side Groningen on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 aggregate draw in the first round.

Cesare Prandelli’s men have been rewarded with games against Greek outfit AEK Athens, La Liga giants Villarreal and Czech underdogs Mlada Boleslav.

Bolselav broke Palermo hearts when they triumphed in a penalty shoot-out at the Stadio Renzo Barbera last Thursday.

Serie A’s three other representatives Sampdoria, Empoli and Palermo all crashed out at the first hurdle and will be left to think about what might have been.

While Rossi will relish the chance to return to Italy, Luca Toni will not return to his old stomping ground as Bayern Munich have drawn Bolton, Braga, Crvena Zvezda and Aris.

[Freddy Adu]

Groningen's Bruno Silva welcomes Fiorentina interest

Groningen's flying Brazilian left-back Bruno Silva has welcomed interest from Fiorentina.

The 27 year-old said: "I must admit the challenge of playing in Florence and for the Fiorentina fans excites me.

"I am Brazilian and in my heart there is an ambition to play for a prestigious club like Fiorentina."

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[Freddy Adu]

Juventus No1 Buffon left Fiorentina in car boot!

Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon had to leave Fiorentina's stadium hiding in the boot of his car!

Gazzetta dello Sport says Buffon stayed behind after Juve's 1-1 draw to fulfil media duties for the Italy national team.

Fearing a backlash from waiting Fiorentina fans, Buffon left the stadium car park hiding in the boot of his car.

LMAO!

[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina secure Di Carmine to long-term deal

Fiorentina have secured attacking midfielder Samuel Di Carmine to a new contract.

Di Carmine, 19, is regarded as one of Fiorentina's brightest young talents and he has penned a deal through to 2012.

The youngster's agent, Giulio Dini, admits they resisted offers from rival Serie A clubs to commit long-term to the Viola and the player is banking on a chance of playing first team football in the Coppa Italia this season.

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[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina to treble Montolivo wages

Fiorentina are ready to more than triple Riccardo Montolivo's wages to keep him in Florence.

The midfielder is currently contracted to Fiorentina until 2010 and directors are eager to extend that to 2012 with the improved salary of £900,000.

Montolivo is currently on £250,000-a-year.

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[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina Dealt Santana Blow
Viola boss Cesare Prandelli will have to reckon without Alberto Santana for an extended period.

The Argentine winger aggravated a thigh muscle during extra-time of last Thursday’s UEFA Cup win over Dutch side Groningen and is expected to be out for between four to five weeks.

In other Fiorentina news, Sebastien Frey is rumoured to be a target for AC Milan in their search for a replacement for Nelson Dida.

Milan would have their work cut out to convince Fiorentina to sell, however, as the French international keeper is considered as one of the most influential and important members of the Viola squad.

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[Freddy Adu]

Santana sidelined at Fiorentina


ACF Fiorentina winger Mario Alberto Santana faces five to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a thigh strain during the UEFA Cup first round win against FC Groningen.


Close contest
Santana injured his right leg after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 second-leg draw (2-2 on aggregate) with the Dutch club, which preceded Fiorentina's victory in a penalty shoot-out on home soil. The 25-year-old Argentinian international will therefore be unavailable for the first two dates of UEFA Cup group stage matches, on 25 October and 8 November. Fiorentina will learn their opponents and fixture schedule after Tuesday's group stage draw. Santana, signed from US Città di Palermo in 2006, has made five Serie A appearances for the Florence team this season.

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[Freddy Adu]

Mutu On Penalty: I Outwitted Buffon
Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has revealed the psychological battle between him and Gianluigi Buffon as he prepared to take his penalty yesterday afternoon.

The Viola were losing 1-0 to bitter rivals Juventus at the Stadio Franchi when the referee awarded them an 88th minute penalty for a handball by Nicola Legrottaglie.

As Mutu was placing the ball on the spot, Buffon said to him: “I am going to save this.”

The Romanian responded by telling the Juventus keeper: “I am going to do a cucchiaio (a chipped penalty which Mutu performed against Roma in week five).”

In the end Mutu struck the ball to Buffon’s right and earned his team a 1-1 draw.

The ex-Chelsea man played for Juventus between January 2005 and July 2006 but moved to Florence after the Calciopoli crisis.

“The Juventus team we played against was a lot different to the one I played for,” said Mutu.

“The team I played for had much better quality of players, however the current team has maintained the same character.”

Mutu scored eight goals in 41 appearances during his time in Turin. His other former Serie A clubs include Inter, Verona and Parma.

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[Freddy Adu]

Man City eyeing Fiorentina star Mutu

Manchester City are interested in Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu.

Former Chelsea forward Mutu has been in sensational form for Fiorentina this season and has attracted enquiries from Barcelona.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is also keen and with the backing of Thailand owner Thaksin Shinawatra knows he has the money available to bid for the Romania international.

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[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina's Mutu: I've turned down Man City

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has declared that the Premiership is a closed chapter as far as his playing career is concerned as he turned down a move to Manchester City.

The Romania international revealed that Sven-Goran Eriksson's City had tried to sign him but without success as he does not intend to return to England.

The 28-year-old had experienced troubled times off the field but was an instant hit at Chelsea before moving to Juventus. He signed for La Viola last year and has been in great form.

On his return to his homeland for the weekend Euro 2008 fixture with Holland, he told reporters that "it is true" City have tried to sign him.

He continued: "But I have refused. I do not have any intention to return to England. I have finished with The Premier League."

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[Freddy Adu]

I’m A Changed Man
Fiorentina ace Adrian Mutu has credited his family for giving him the confidence and stability needed to resurrect his career.

Mutu's football career was in serious doubt in 2004 after Chelsea sacked him for failing a drugs test. However Juventus picked him up from the gutter and offered him a five-year contract. Mutu stayed in Turin for 18 months and scored seven Serie A goals during the 2005/06 season before moving to Fiorentina and hitting all the right notes.

“I was very proud when I signed for Chelsea, but I lost my confidence little by little and the end of my time in England was very difficult,” admitted the Romanian international.

“My present family has helped me to reach the peak of my form and become stronger on the field than when I was playing for Chelsea.

“In the last few years I have gone from being a drug case to having a wonderful wife and two children.

“Now I know that Mutu as a person is not important and that what Mutu does on the pitch and in day-to-day life is what really counts.”

The Romanian international has become the Viola’s most indispensable player with five goals so far this term to add to last season’s 16-goal haul.

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[Freddy Adu]

Man City's Bojinov: I was forced out of Fiorentina

Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov says he was forced to leave Fiorentina after falling out with sports director Pantaleo Corvino.

"Why did I leave Italy? Because of Corvino," he insisted. "I was told that I had to sign a new contract or I would be frozen out of the squad.

"I had a very good relationship with Coach Cesare Prandelli. I'm just sad that they chose to treat me like that because at the moment they have Tomas Ujfalusi whose contract is about to run out.

"At Juventus I was shut out and then they signed a great player like Vincenzo Iaquinta. Then in England I found a boss who had faith in me in Sven Goran Eriksson."

Sadly, Bojinov's misfortune with injury has continued and he is facing a long spell on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage in his first full start for the club in August's Manchester derby.

"When will I return? Doctor Paolo Mariani has said that it will be before Christmas."

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[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina No1 Frey emerges as top AC Milan target

Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey has emerged as a long-term target for AC Milan.

Corriere dello Sport says while they continue to publicly support Nelson Dida, Milan directors are drawing up plans to solve their goalkeeping crisis.

A move to recall Christian Abbiati from Atletico Madrid is already on the table, however Frey will be targeted next summer as the Rossoneri's new long-term No1.

Milan are also in talks with Brescia for Italy U21 keeper Emiliano Viviano, who would arrive as an eventual backup to Frey.

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[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina join interest in Lyon's Benzema

Interest from Italy is gathering pace in Olympique Lyon striker Karim Benzema.

Yesterday, Juventus ace David Trezeguet urged his club to move for the prolific 20 year-old forward, while AC Milan are also monitoring his form this season.

However, French sources last night declared that Fiorentina had scouts in the stands to watch Benzema in action against Bordeaux last week.

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[Freddy Adu]

Fiorentina president Della Valle: Inter Milan on another planet

Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle has cooled talk of a Scudetto challenge after yesterday's 1-1 draw with Juventus.

"It's too soon for us to be considered as Scudetto contenders," said Della Valle. "The team is doing well and continuing to improve, that is the important thing.

"Inter Milan are on another planet."

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[Freddy Adu]

Prandelli Warns Fiorentina Against Tough Uefa Cup Group
The Viola coach admitted that the Tuscan side have been handed a difficult group in the Uefa Cup as the draw for the next round was made yesterday.

Cesare Prandelli was far from happy with Tuesday's Uefa Cup draw which sees Fiorentina pitted in a difficult group against Villareal, AEK Athens, Mlada Boleslav and Elfsborg, with only 3 teams qualifying for the next round.

"It's a tough group with strong and well-organized teams," commented the former Parma and Roma coach.

"We shall have to face them all with our usual determination and seriousness, because we want to be in this cup."

Fiorentina will debut in Group C against Giuseppe Rossi’s Villareal on the 25th of October in Spain, then against Elfsborg (home on the 8th November), AEK Athens (away on the 29th November) and Mlada Boleslav (home on the 20th December), the team which eliminated Palermo in the previous round.

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[Freddy Adu]

Villarreal vs Fiorentina