[Koj-Gysto]

Fiorentina - Parma
Stadio Franchi

There can be no doubts that this is now a relegation dogfight between two fallen giants of Serie A football.

The Viola are still fuming after their 3-0 defeat at Sampdoria – their fourth on the trot – as Valeri Bojinov and Daniele Delli Carri saw red within the opening 11 minutes. Both players are suspended, while Tomas Ujfalusi, Enzo Maresca, Giampaolo Pazzini, Angelo Di Livio and Roccati are all sidelined with injury.

This leaves precious few options for under-fire Coach Dino Zoff, though Christian Rigano and Martin Jorgensen should return to partner Fabrizio Miccoli. Former Parma man Hidetoshi Nakata is set to keep his place despite a string of disappointing performances.

Parma have their own fair share of problems with the Disciplinary Commission, as Daniele Bonera and Vincenzo Grella are handed a one-match ban. Pietro Carmignani’s men thought they had victory over Inter in the bag when they were leading 2-0 with 15 minutes left on the clock, but even against ten men they managed to throw it away for a 2-2 draw. Alberto Gilardino was at least boosted by a stunning overhead kick, while Domenico Morfeo is facing his former club.

Fiorentina (probable): Lupatelli; Chiellini, Viali, Dainelli, Savini; Ariatti, Nakata, Donadel, Jorgensen; Miccoli, Rigano

Parma (probable): Frey; Cannavaro, Contini, Bovo, Bettarini; Marchionni, Simplicio, Bolano, Bresciano; Morfeo, Gilardino

 

[Koj-Gysto]

Miccoli talks up Viola troops
Saturday 12 February, 2005
Fiorentina are in dire straits and Fabrizio Miccoli has tried to fire up the squad for tomorrow’s relegation dogfight with Parma.

“I am not worried by our current situation,” insisted the former Juve star. “Our position in the table isn’t great, but we have to think positive and Sunday is our chance to make a turning point in this season.”

The Viola are currently level on 23 points with Parma – both teams hovering just above the bottom three, so this is a head to head fight to avoid being sucked back into that drop zone.

“Parma are in fine form and Alberto Gilardino’s talents are beyond dispute,” continued Miccoli. “We must concentrate on our own game and learn from our mistakes rather than try to adapt to other teams, especially as we’ll have the Stadio Artemio Franchi behind us.”

The striker was not called up for the midweek international friendly against Russia, but he was the last Fiorentina player to give in when Valeri Bojinov and Daniele Delli Carri were sent off at Sampdoria on Saturday.

“I was very proud to hear the fans say they wanted 11 Miccoli’s to take the field this weekend, but this squad is a solid one and we will emerge from this situation.”

Goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli could be dropped in favour of Cristian Sebastian Cejas, while Enzo Maresca and Tomas Ujfalusi are still not 100 per cent fit.

The Viola supporters are still fuming after two players were sent off within the first 11 minutes of the Samp game and, although the club has backtracked in its claims of ‘persecution’, the fans have not.

“We will stage a protest before kick-off to express our feelings about the Federation and those who hold the power in football,” revealed Stefano Sartoni, the head of Ultra’ group ‘Collettivo Autonomo Viola’. “After that, the important thing is to put all our energy behind the squad.”


Fiorentina squad:

Ariatti, Cejas, Chiellini, Dainelli, Di Livio, Donadel, Fantini, Guigou, Jorgensen, Lupatelli, Maggio, Miccoli, Nakata, Obodo, Pazzini, Piangerelli, Riganò, Savini, Viali

 

[Koj-Gysto]

Pazzini in the squad for tomorrow's match.. probably starting on the bench but maybe we will see his debut

 

[Scarf]

It's so amazing to see Miccoli not lose faith in his team. Fantastic mentality.

 

[Mago]

http://people.freenet.de/yoshi7/streams/rts2live.ram might work today.

 

[Scarf]

What time is the match Mago (BST or CET) state which one...

 

[Koj-Gysto]

thanks Mago, but horrible quality

 

[Mago]

14h Greenwich I think.

 

[nikofv]

20 minutes.

 

[Maarek]

Chiellini

CHIELLINI!!! Fiorentina break the deadlock!! Sensational left-footed half-volley from a tight angle!! Great finish!

 

[Scarf]

Thanks, keeping up to date now...

 

[nikofv]

Pazzini in for Rigano. Lets see what he can do

 

[Maarek]

Look who's scoring for Lecce:

------------------------------------------
That must be three points for Lecce, JAIME VALDES!!! It was a 20m shot straight at Marchegiani, but somehow the Chievo keeper spilled it over his own shoulder and in!'
-----------------------------------

 

[Scarf]

Doesn't that count as an own goal?

 

[Maarek]

Finally, Miccoli has his reward for a brilliant performance!! He ran onto Donadel's through-ball, sent Frey sprawling and then tucked calmly away!!

 

[Maarek]

Doesn't that count as an own goal?

No, Valdes already scores for Lecce. He and 13 million Euros was given to them against Bojinov

 

[Maarek]

Tood bad

NOT OVER YET!!! Alberto Gilardino glances a great header past Lupatelli, then grabs the ball out of the net and races back to half-way!

 

[nikofv]

A player who truly gives his all. Miccoli is substituted with Jorgensen.


Parma also scores, 2-1

 

[Scarf]

Is there an Italian radio station that follows Fiorentina?

 

[nikofv]

Final score: 2-1, finally