Fiorentina goalkeeper to Bologna?

The agent of Fiorentina goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano claims his client will be transferred to Bologna during the January window.
There have been rumours circulating that the shot-stopper would leave the Viola in January, with Roma being linked, but it appears the Rossoblu will land him.
“There’s no chance Emiliano will be wearing the Roma jersey. He will most likely be going to Bologna, if what the market is telling me is correct,” said agent Claudio Vigorelli.
Viviano, 27, is currently on loan at Fiorentina from Palermo.

Comments: Catania-Fiorentina

Catania 2-1 Fiorentina
Rolando Maran: “Up until we reach 40 points, we will continue to talk only about safety. It’s true we are having an extraordinary season.”
Vincenzo Montella: “The result was negative, but once again we created and played good football. Our mentality will not change, nor will our objective of targeting Europe.”

Catania vs Fiorentina, Final Score 2-1: Sicilians slice apart Viola to take the spoils

A late Lucas Castro strike ensured there was no happy homecoming for former coach Vincenzo Montella, as Catania beat ten-man Fiorentina 2-1 at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

he Argentine struck two minutes from time after Nicola Legrottaglie cancelled out Giulio Migliaccio's first half opener. Alberto Aquilani was sent off late in the second half for the visitors.
The Viola are still searching for their first victory of 2013, while the win moves Rolando Maran's side up to 7th and within a point of their opponents.

Catania were without suspended duo Francesco Lodi and seven goal top scorer Gonzalo Bergessio, while Sergio Almiron and Giovanni Marchese missed out through injury. Fiorentina were without the injured David Pizarro once again and Mounir El Hamdaoui was on African Cup of Nations duty.
Pablo Alvarez and Castro sent early efforts wide for the home side, before Fiorentina hit the front midway through the first half. Manuel Pasqual's corner was only half cleared, giving him a second chance to cross. Everyone missed the ball except for Migliaccio, who stuck his head out to nod in at the far post.
It could have been two, but Legrottaglie picked Adem Ljajic's pocket just as the Serbian was about to pull the trigger from an advanced part inside the area. Stefan Savic then had to make a crucial block to stop Castro from shooting in a dangerous position.
Catania equalised five minutes after the restart. Neto was late to come for a free kick and Legrottaglie beat him to it to head the ball into the net.
Juan Cuadrado headed an effort off the turf and onto the cross bar, then Ljajic rattled the upright after curling his free kick over the Catania wall. Aquilani swept the rebound wide.
Mariano Andujar stayed alert to tip Cuadrado's dipping shot around the post. At the other end, Neto saved Castro's effort from distance, only to spill the ball for a corner.
Cuadrado and Luca Toni both had offside decisions go against them when they were in promising positions to score, before Aquilani talked himself into an early bath after complaining too much about a wayward challenge.
The ten men continued to pour forward looking for a winner. Stevan Jovetic went close from 30 yards, with his strike only just evading the target. Then came the sucker punch.
Pablo Barrientos found space down the right hand side and crossed for Castro to rise above Facundo Roncaglia and head over Neto into the far corner. Castro will have to wait to build on this strike as a costly stoppage time booking rules the forward out of next weekend's game at Napoli.
Catania: Andujar; Alvarez, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Capuano; (Ricchiuti 57) Bellusci, (Potenza 77) Biagianti, (Paglialunga 85) Izco, Castro, Gomez, Barrientos;
Fiorentina: Neto; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Savic; Cuadrado, Aquilani, Migliaccio, Borja Valero, Pasqual; (Tomovic 82) Ljajic, (Toni 69) Jovetic
Goals: Migliaccio 22 (F) Legrottaglie 50 (C) Castro 88 (C)
Sent off: Aquilani 78 (F)

Full Time: Catania 2-1 Fiorentina

Catania have beaten Fiorentina by the scoreline 2-1.  Legrottaglie cancels out the Miggilacio header early in the second half before Castra heading home the winner two minutes from time. Its a bad January for Fiorentina who have lost 4 games (3 in Serie A and 1 in Coppa Italia) and only drawn 1 at home to Napoli.

Catania vs Fiorentina Preview: Sicilians look to spoil Montella's return

L'Aeroplanino guided Catania to an impressive 11th placed finish in Serie A, before departing to the Artemio Franchi. He now faces arguably his biggest task since taking over his reins, getting his stuttering side back on form.
In stark contrast, Rolando Maran's Catania side are yet to taste a league defeat this year. They even earned a rare away victory last weekend. Before people get carried away though, it was at lowly Genoa. That notwithstanding, the Elefanti now have momentum, something Fiorentina are desperately short of. Had it not been for Morgan De Sanctis' howler, Fiorentina would have tasted defeat against Napoli last weekend.
Stevan Jovetic and Luca Toni - 60 seconds into his Viola comeback put paid to Catania with a 2-0 victory back in Week 3. Fiorentina have got something out of this fixture in four of their last six visits, with three wins and a draw. However, it was Catania who won this fixture last season, thanks to Francesco Lodi's solitary penalty.
Fiorentina can see the Champions League slipping further away, as they currently trail Lazio and Napoli by seven points. Catania are hot on their opponents' tails, just four points behind in 8th.

The home side have relied on their three Argentinean tenors - Gonzalo Bergessio, Alejandro Gomez and Pablo Barrientos until the cows have come home. However, Bergessio will sit this game out through suspension, along with Lodi. Meanwhile, Sergio Almiron, Fabio Sciacca and Giovanni Marchese all look set to miss out through injury. The club signed Albanian Edgar Cani to serve as Bergessio's understudy this week, but are still waiting for international clearance to come through.
Giuseppe Rossi and Ahmed Hegazi are still long term absentees for the Viola, while a sprained ankle suffered at the start of the year against Pescara also keeps David Pizarro out. Both Matias Fernandez and Mattia Cassani are back in training and could feature on Sunday.
South American pair Matias Vecino and Marcelo Larrondo will be looking for their first action in a purple shirt. Uruguayan midfielder Vecino joined this week from Nacional Montevideo, while Argentine forward Larrondo joined on loan last week from Siena.
Catania injuries and suspensions
Out: Sergio Almiron, Fabio Sciacca, Giovanni Marchese (injured) Francesco Lodi, Gonzalo Bergessio (suspended)
Fiorentina injuries and suspensions
Out: Ahmed Hegazy, David Pizarro, Giuseppe Rossi (injured)

Defender Compper quits Hoffenheim for Fiorentina

BERLIN: Hoffenheim centre-back Marvin Compper signed a three-year deal to join Serie A side Fiorentina on Friday after the 27-year-old had been suspended by the Bundesliga club earlier in the week.

Hoffenheim confirmed Compper had left for Fiorentina in a deal reported to be worth around 200,000 euros to cap a turbulent week for the defender who made a single appearance for Germany against England back in 2008.

Having been left out of the squad for the goalless draw at home with Borussia Moenchengladbach last Saturday, Compper was suspended and accused of having a motivation problem by Hoffenheim manager Andreas Mueller. Compper has made more than 150 Bundesliga appearances since 2008 at Hoffenheim, who are in the Bundesliga’s bottom three.

Fiorentina update Pizarro injury

Fiorentina have updated the fitness status of David Pizarro, Giuseppe Rossi, Mattia Cassani and Mati Fernandez, warning the Chilean won’t be ready for this weekend.
The midfielder has been out of action since spraining his ankle in the first game of 2013, a 2-0 home defeat to Pescara.
“On January 6, Pizarro suffered a traumatic injury that did not include any lesions to the ligament or bone,” explained chief Viola medic Paolo Manetti.
“However, it sprained the area that unites the tibia and femur, just above the ankle. This is a very delicate injury. Pizarro has already assured us he can play through the pain, but we want him to be 100 per cent fit and there’s still something missing to complete the rehabilitation process.
“We will evaluate the situation day by day and see how it evolves during the week.”
Fiorentina’s medical staff also confirmed Cassani is back in full training after a thigh problem, while Mati Fernandez continues a specialised training schedule, but is expected to be fit for Catania on Sunday.
Rossi visited Professor Steadman yesterday, “confirming the stability of the knee and good muscular tone. From tomorrow the second phase of rehabilitation will begin.
“He’ll stay for a few days in New York, then come to Florence to complete the rehabilitation process. The next important check-up will be in eight weeks.”

Vecino: 'Fiorentina dream come true'

Fiorentina’s new signing Matias Vecino had his first training session today and declared “this is a dream come true.”
The 21-year-old Uruguayan midfielder completed his transfer from Nacional Montevideo this week.

“I was eager to start training with the squad and curious to meet a new city and new challenge, but it all went well,” he told the official Viola website.
“Our objectives are big and this is a dream come true, as I want to grow as a player here. I am an attacking midfielder who likes to play close to the box. My favourite player is Zinedine Zidane.
“I have Italian origins and hope to soon register an Italian passport, even if I don’t speak the language well yet.
“I already spoke with Marcelo Larrondo and Mati Fernandez, who helped me feel at home. I can already tell the intensity in training is different and you work more on tactics.
“Alvaro Recoba told me about Italian football and said Florence is a beautiful city. From what I’ve seen so far, it really is a place where you can live well.”

Fiorentina eye Fabio Qualiarella swoop?

Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella has emerged as potential transfer target of Firoentina, according to reports.

The 29-year-old has made 18 appearances in all competitions this season - eight from the substitutes' bench - and scored eight goals in the process.

However, the arrival of Spanish international Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao appears to have spelled the end for the Italian international.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Viola are weighing up an £8.5m summer bid for the former Napoli and Udinese target man.

Quagliarella joined Juve in 2010.

Bolton Wanderers reject Fiorentina bid for Marcos Alonso

The Marcos Alonso to Fiorentina rumor has just taken an interesting turn. In today's pre-match press conference, manager Dougie Freedman confirmed that not only had Bolton Wanderers received a bid for the young defender from Serie A side Fiorentina but the club had rejected it.
What makes this interesting is that Marcos Alonso is out of contract in the summer and should Bolton Wanderers not sell the player and should he not sign a new deal, the Trotters could easily lose him on a free transfer in just a few months.
According to a story in the Bolton News yesterday, Bolton Wanderers had apparently opened negotiations on a new deal for Alonso last year with the defender and his family but the pen had not been put to paper yet.
Per yesterday's report, Fiorentina want the defender not only for defensive competition but to potentially free up midfielder Cristian Llama for a sale to Palermo or Parma.
Personally, we hope that Alonso does stay with Bolton as not only would the fee from Fiorentina not come anywhere near covering the initial price that the Wanderers paid for him, but Alonso is finally starting to show his talent. He's shown his quality in the last few matches and with that quality came consistency that Bolton fans had long wanted from him.

Official: Wolski to Fiorentina

It is now official that Fiorentina have a deal with Legia Warsaw for Rafal Wolski, who “has left for Italy to undergo his medical.”
As we reported earlier this evening, there were rumours that the two clubs had reached an agreement worth around €2.8m for the 20-year-old Polish international midfielder.
“Wolski has left for Italy to undergo his medical with Fiorentina,” read a statement on the Legia Warsaw website.
“The agreement with Fiorentina has not yet been signed, but the clubs are negotiating and very close to a deal.”
It is believed only formalities remain before the contracts can be signed

Arsenal £20m offer for Jovetic?

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £20m offer to tempt Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic away in the January transfer window.
According to the British media, the Montenegro international is a prime target for Arsene Wenger, who also heaped praise on Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy recently.
The rumour comes just days after Fiorentina again assured Jovetic was not for sale, even with the arrival of Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal.
Juventus have repeatedly made offers for Jovetic and seen them rebuffed, as the Viola are flying high in Serie A and pushing for a European place.
“Juventus have to get over it,” smiled general manager Sandro Mencucci on Sky Sport Italia.
“Jovetic is staying next season even if Giuseppe Rossi has arrived.”

Montella joins Garrone mourners

Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has exclaimed his condolences to the family of Sampdoria chief Riccardo Garrone, who died yesterday evening.
The honorary President of energy company ERG passed away on Monday evening after losing his battle with illness.
And the Viola Coach, who played under Garrone at the Bluerchiati, has sent his sympathies.
“He had a great enthusiasm for the game,” Montella told Sky Sport Italia. “He really could convey the true values of sport.
“I'm so sorry. I felt a great affection for him.
“I want to send a huge hug to his family and join the many mourners.”

El Hamdaoui happy with Viola arrivals

Fiorentina striker Mounir El Hamdaoui isn’t concerned by the increased competition for places after the club signed Giuseppe Rossi and Marcelo Larrondo.
Rossi has arrived from Villarreal and could be back in action by March after long-term injury, while Larrondo has been netted from Tuscan rivals Siena.
But the Moroccan international, currently on duty at the African Cup of Nations, doesn’t fear for his future at the club.
“I am never worried. I just have to concentrate on myself,” he told Football Italia’s South African correspondent Rossella Marrai.
“I do my job and they do their job in buying players which is good for us because we have a stronger team.”
The Moroccan arrived at Fiorentina in the summer of 2012 from Ajax Amsterdam and has started to show promise under Vincenzo Montella.
“Montella is a good Coach and he is a young Coach. I think he has done a really good job with us all,” he added.
“Last year Fiorentina struggled and now we are fifth in the table. He is doing a really good job and I think we have a lot of good players.
“Now they have bought some new players, so it is a good team and hopefully we will continue with the good run.”
The 28-year-old has three goals in 12 League games this term.

Fiorentina 1-1 Napoli: Cavani header rescues the Partenopei a point

Fiorentina held Napoli to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in the early kick off on Sunday in Serie A.
A comical fast half goal from Facundo Rocaglia was cancelled out less than ten minutes later by Edinson Cavani as the points where shared in Florence.
After a game which had seen more yellow cards than clear cut chances, five within the first thirty minutes, it was Fiorentina who were to take the lead in somewhat peculiar circumstances.
Facundo Roncaglia held the ball on the half way line and played a ball forward hoping to pick out target-man Luca Toni. In a moment in which Morgan De Sanctis will hope to never see again, the Italian came forward to meet the ball, but misjudged the situation completely, instead getting mixed up with two of his own defenders, as the ball sailed over them all, took one bounce before settling in the back of the net.
The Viola defender almost looking embarrassed that he had managed to score.
The home side’s lead did not last for long however as Napoli equalised through talismanic centre forward, Edinson Cavani who notched up his 100th Serie A goal.
Juan Guillermo Cuadrado brought down Juan Zuñiga on the left flank and Marek Hamsik swung in the resulting free kick. The Uruguayan wrestled off his marker and sent his glancing header past Norberto Neto.
The scores remained even as the referee brought the first half to a close.
It was Napoli who were to carve out the first chance of the second half as Hugo Campagnaro combined with Cavani whose near post shot was smothered by Neto.
Fiorentina had a chance of their own moments later but Alberto Aquilani’s long range shot was comfortably saved by De Sanctis.
Inside the final twenty minutes, both sides pressed for the winner and Gökhan Inler was to draw the best from Neto in the Viola goal. The Swiss born midfielder curled an effort from the edge of the area only to be meet by an acrobatic dive from the young Brazilian goalkeeper who pushed the ball to safety.
Neto again was to come to the rescue of Vincenzo Montella’s men this time with an excellent reaction save to a Goran Pandev header.
Deep into injury time Aquilani had a chance to win the game for the hosts but his effort went high and wide of the Napoli goal and game finished level.

Fiorentina-Roma 0-1 at Franchi in Coppa Italia Fixture

The Giallorossi came out on top in extra time thanks to a goal from their forward. Fisticuffs at the end of the game. Taddei, Dodò and Cuadrado all saw red. The Viola did hit the crossbar and the post twice. But its Zeman’s side that go through to face Inter in the semi-final, after surprising everyone and playing with a 3-man defence.

Roma bounce back. Following 2 defeats in a row, 3 in their previous 5 games, they win at the Franchi in the Coppa Italia, beating Fiorentina to claim the place in the semi-final against Inter. The game in Florence ended 0-1 to the Giallorossi, after extra time. And it was Destro who grabbed the winning goal, in the 97 minute. The match had been a very exciting one, packed full of defensive errors and, above all, a lot of goal chances that kept the fans on their feet. The winning goal came in extra time, via the player who had tried the hardest to get on the score sheet all game, Destro. But Fiorentina have plenty to feel aggrieved about: they hit the woodwork on a total of 3 times – the crossbar once and the post twice. But they just weren’t able to get the better of Zeman’s side and their new-look defence: the coach switched to playing 3 men at the back. It was Fiorentina’s 3rd consecutive defeat, following defeats in Serie A against Pescara and Udinese.

Zeman's 'revolution' — Zeman surprised everyone. He played an improvised 3-man defence, in complete contract to his usual tactics of playing a 4-man defence. And Roma didn’t concede any goals, with Marquinhos, Burdisso and Castan lining up at the back. Destro was the lone striker in attack, as both Osvaldo and Lamela were suspended from this game, and Totti was injured. Florenzi and Pjanic started in a 3-4-3. Montella started the match with Toni alongside Jovetic in the Fiorentina attack. Neto started in goal rather than Viviano.

Lots of chances - but no goals — That’s how the 1st half went. Roma actually passed the ball around well. They were very fluid but despite creating a host of goal scoring chances, were unable to get the ball into the net. De Rossi came close to scoring via a header early on and the visitors had another fantastic chance to take the lead thorough Destro, who powered forward, only to see his fierce effort across the face of goal go just wide. Fiorentina did come under pressure, especially at set-pieces, and also when Florenzi, who was full of energy, pushed forward on the left. But the home side coped. And they did get forward themselves too, through Jovetic. Their best chance came from a fantastic right foot effort from Aquilani: his free-kick rattled the crossbar. The sides went into the half-time break 0-0. But, despite the scoreline, the 1st 45 minutes (plus the 1 minute of injury time) had been extremely exciting and end-to-end stuff.

Chances not taken — Fiorentina came out playing better football in the 2nd half. They started to take control and grew in confidence. But they still did mess things up in defence: first Tomovic and then Rodriguez both failed to clear and handed Destro 2 gilt-edged goal scoring chances. The forward set up Florenzi with the 1st (keeper Neto did brilliantly to save) and then Destro himself missed the 2nd with a left foot effort that he should have done better with. Roma did actually get the ball in the net, via a De Rossi header, but the midfield player was rightly given (just) offside. It was back to square one. Fiorentina pushed forward more and hit the woodwork again, this time through Borja Valero. His splendid left foot shot deserved a goal. Then Destro again wasted a chance when one-on-one with Neto: he lofted the ball over the keeper with a delicate chip – but Savic got back to clear off the line. The 90th minute also passed with the score still 0-0.

Destro scores — The goal came 7 minutes into the 1st half of extra time. The ball fell to Destro who, this time, couldn’t miss after he was set up brilliantly from the right by Pjanic.

More bad luck for the Viola — But it just wasn’t Fiorentina’s night. They fought back immediately, but, rather than brining the equaliser, an effort from Cuadrado hit the woodwork. Taddei, who had come on as a substitute for Piris late in the 2nd half, was sent off after pulling back Borja Valero: he had already been booked 2 minutes earlier. But Fiorentina still couldn’t break through despite the game ending in the 123rd minute – there was even time for Dodò and Cuadrado to both be sent off following fisticuffs almost on the stroke of the final whistle, a melee that involved players from both sides. The 2nd semi-final of the Coppa Italia will therefore be Roma-Inter. They will play each other 3 times in the 10 days from January 20 to January 30: as well as the two-legged Coppa Italia game, the sides will also face each other in Serie A.

Comments: Udinese-Fiorentina

Udinese 3-1 Fiorentina
Francesco Guidolin: “It was an important victory, as we overturned the result with real grit. Did the incidents go in our favour? We’ll take them, as on other occasions they went against us.”
Vincenzo Montella: “The incidents were decisive. We have to make more of our scoring opportunities, even if it was another incredible defeat. David Pizarro is irreplaceable.”

Half Time: Udinese- Fiorentina, 1-1

At half time, the scores are level. Di Natale cancels out Brkic own goal from Penalty at the brink of half time.

Live Commentry

 

Line-ups: Udinese-Fiorentina

It’s Antonio Di Natale and Luis Muriel against Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic at the Stadio Friuli.
These sides started 2013 in very different ways, as Udinese hammered Inter 3-0, while Fiorentina lost their unbeaten home record to minnows Pescara.
David Pizarro is unable to face his former club due to injury, while Ruben Olivera is suspended, so Giulio Migliaccio starts in midfield.

Udinese have to do without Mehdi Benatia and Emmanuel Badu due to the African Cup of Nations.
Di natale is supported by Colombian talent Muriel.
This fixture last ended in a draw back in 2006, followed by five home wins and one away.
Udinese: Brkic; Heurtaux, Danilo, Domizzi; Basta, Pereyra, Pinzi, Lazzari, Pasquale; Muriel; Di Natale
Udinese bench: Padelli, Pawloski, Marques, Angella, Faraoni, Coda, Fabbrini, Antunes, Merkel, Maicosuel
Fiorentina: Neto; Savic, Rodriguez, Tomovic; Cuadrado, Borja Valero, Aquilani, Migliaccio, Pasqual; Ljajic, Jovetic
Fiorentina bench: Viviano, Lupatelli, Roncaglia, Seferovic, Llama, Toni, Romulo