The Gigliati have made it a habit of late to concede goals on a regular basis as witnessed in all their matches since the clock turned its back on 2009. Fiorentina have not kept a clean sheet in 2010 while leaking seven goals in their last three Serie A matches and another two in the Coppa Italia victory over Lazio. The defence is clearly one area of the team suffering from inconsistency and lack of understanding amongst the players.
It is one thing to allow hosts Palermo to score three goals and a totally different prospect to witness visitors Lazio, the second worst attacking team in the league, score on two occasions during cup competition. Against Cagliari the defensive woes continued and the shaky back-line conceded two goals with January signing Dias Felipe risking a red card in the process. The Brazilian signing from Udinese has visibly struggled to impress in all his appearances so far and for once the Prandelli-Corvino tandem looks to have failed in the transfer market. It begs the question as to why the astute Cesare Prandelli sanctioned the deal to offload one of the sides most experienced and reliable centre-backs Dario Dainelli. While Fiorentina are gifting goals, Dainelli is beginning to deliver as Genoa have managed to escape with a scoreless draw from Napoli after keeping a clean sheet against Atalanta.
Dainelli did play in the heavy defeat to Roma but he is settling down and helping to shore up the weak defense of il Grifone. Inexplicably, director Pantaleo Corvino and Prandelli conspired to let go of one of the club’s loyal servants at a time when Alessandro Gamberini is still attempting to return to full fitness and new signing Felipe is putting in clumsy displays. The Brazilian signing is not to blame for all the mishaps in defence with the absence of Cristiano Zanetti greatly felt as Riccardo Montolivo and Marco Donadel are not on Zanetti’s level when it comes to shielding the defense. The Gigliati have invested heavily in midfielders and strikers yet failed to bring any defenders besides the Udinese centre-back.
The last couple of days in the transfer window witnessed la Viola sign Barcelona striker Keirrison on a two-year loan deal. The Brazilian has not played for Barca but at 21-years-old and having scored over 20 goals for Palmeiras in 2009 he seems to have great potential. Considering the Catalans were convinced to spend a staggering €14m on a relative unknown is another sign he could be of substantial value to the club. The Florence side also snapped young striker Haris Seferovic who led Switzerland to victory in the U-17 World Cup as he finished top scorer in the tournament. The promising player will turn 18 in a few weeks and his signing falls within the club’s policy of bringing in promising talent. Prandelli is renowned for nurturing emerging players with Montenegrin star Stevan Jovetic serving as the leading example of the Coach’s managerial skills.
The Gigliati were rocked after the signing of Antonio Cassano fell through despite reports in the Italian Press confirming the erratic but skilled forward was on the verge of a move to Florence. Coach Prandelli could not hide his disappointment at failing to bring in Cassano while Corvino went on a veiled rant as he pointed fingers at Sampdoria for failing to sanction the deal in the last hours.
Cassano would have been a volatile yet welcome presence in Florence given the temporary suspension given to troubled forward Adrian Mutu. The Romanian has been banned by CONI for failing a drug test but he could be back sooner than expected if rumours of the herbal pills hold true. According to reports, the Romanian took pills with a label excluding any banned substances so he could have fallen prey to an ill-advised product. If he can prove his innocence and lack of malicious intent then CONI is likely to remove the suspension or simply ban him for a very short time. Mutu’s previous drug ban weighs heavily on his shoulders and his actions are quite immature. The club directors are fed up with the player’s mishaps and have recently warned his agent to keep low-key as opposed to selling ideas about Mutu’s potential move to other destinations. At this stage, it is unlikely anyone would be interested in capturing the Romanian forward given his delicate situation with regards to the drug test and his legal battle with Chelsea.
On a much brighter note, Jovetic marked his return against Cagliari with an assist and a goal. Prandelli will be hoping his young star can deliver the goods in Mutu’s absence.
Fiorentina Club Focus
Week 3
Viola continue to grind out results – September 15, 2009
Week 4
La Viola lose Gilardino and the points – September 18, 2009
Fatigue catching up with la Viola – September 22, 2009
Week 5
Della Valle Resigns as Fiorentina triumph over Sampdoria – September 25, 2009
Week 6
La Viola finally win away as De Silvestri makes debut – September 29, 2009
The beginning of the Jovetic era in Florence? – October 2, 2009
Week 7
Two points lost and a wasted opportunity – October 6, 2009
Good news all round – October 9, 2009
International Week (Republic of Ireland-Italy, Italy-Cyprus)
Transfer rumours abound as Gilardino fires la Nazionale to South Africa – October 13, 2009
Week 8
Gilardino shines again as la Viola eye the Bianconeri’s scalp – October 16, 2009
La Viola holds firm against Juventus – October 20, 2009
Crucial win over Debrecen, Manchester United prepare bid for Jovetić? – October 23, 2009
Week 10
La Viola going through a rough patch – October 30, 2009
Week 11
Marchionni brace completes Fiorentina rebound – November 3, 2009
Week 12
Prandelli and co. march on against Debrecen – November 6, 2009
La Viola edge Udinese as Marchionni and Montolivo earn Azzurri recall – November 10, 2009
Week 13
Vargas to stay as Prandelli praises Jovetic – November 20, 2009
Injuries taking their toll as Lyon clash looms – November 24, 2009
Week 14
la Viola through to the round of 16 in Europe – November 28, 2009
La Viola’s resistance broken from the penalty spot – December 1, 2009
Week 15
Must-win game to remain close to Champions League spots – December 4, 2009
Race for fourth continues as Fiorentina travel to Anfield – December 8, 2009
Week 16
Historic win as Tifosi give warm reception – December 11, 2009
Precious points dropped as fatigue and injuries mount – December 15, 2009
Week 17
Viola prepare for Milan’s arrival and Mutu’s departure – December 18, 2009
Snow postpones Milan clash – December 22, 2009
Winter Break
Calm holiday period despite transfer reports – December 29, 2009
Reinforcements wanted – January 5, 2010
Week 18
Ideal start for 2010 as the Gigliati begin a push to climb the table – January 8, 2010
Mutu’s timely return to form – January 12, 2010
Week 19
La Viola continue on the right track on and off the pitch – January 15, 2010
Week 20
A step back but Bolatti set to join – January 19, 2010
Week 21
La Viola march on in Coppa Italia as Mutu strikes twice – January 22, 2010
Serie A inconsistency continues as Palermo are victorious in Sicily – January 26, 2010
Week 22
Adrian Mutu in trouble once again? – January 29, 2010
Goals guaranteed with Keirrison and Seferovic arriving as the defence struggles – February 2, 2010