Fiorentina defender secures loan to Genoa

Full-back Mattia Cassani has officially signed with Genoa on loan from Fiorentina, with the Grifone having the option to purchase at the end of the current campaign.
The Italian international had been the subject of interest of a number of clubs in the January transfer window, including Palermo, Roma, and Inter.
The Marassi outfit released a statement Wednesday confirming the acquisition.
“Genoa Cfc announce that a deal has been concluded with Acf Fiorentina for the temporary acquisition, with option to make the move permanent, of defender Mattia Cassani.”
The former Palermo man had struggled for playing time in Vincenzo Montella’s 3-5-2 system, appearing just eight times, four of them starts, in Serie A this season.

Stoke move to beat Fiorentina for Bolton fullback Alonso

Stoke City have made an offer for Bolton Wanderers fullback Marcos Alonso.
The Daily Mail says Stoke are making a bid to sign Bolton left-back Alonso in a £500,000 deal.
Alonso is close to sealing a pre-contract move to Italian giants Fiorentina that will see him head to Italy in June.
But Tony Pulis is in desperate need of a left-back and is hoping to persuade Alonso to stay in England instead.
Fiorentina are willing to pay £200,000 to land the Spaniard, 22, before the transfer window closes.

Fiorentina silent over Alonso link

FIORENTINA have given no indication that they will make a second bid for defender Marcos Alonso before tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
The Serie A club had a verbal bid turned down for Alonso last week but have not followed up their interest.
The Spanish full-back has rejected the offer of a new contract at the Reebok and a transfer fee would be set by tribunal if he moved on in the summer – although part of that fee would also be passed on to Real Madrid.
Alonso produced a man-of-the-match performance against Everton at the weekend, and Dougie Freedman does not expect him, Stuart Holden or Kevin Davies, who also find themselves coming to the end of their current deals, to allow their situation to affect their performances on the pitch.
“They signed the contract, they know the deal,” he said.
“Is it unsettling? I wouldn’t say that. When you are working in this fabulous job I don’t think any situation should be unsettling.”
Speculation over Alonso, Holden and Davies has increased over the last week after Freedman said that renewing contracts was not a matter of priority at present.
“We are not at 17th in the league, concentrating on individuals, I think we should be concentrating on what the club should be doing,” he added.
“As a club we are trying to go forward.”
It is understood that the club have not ruled out offering Davies and Holden new deals, although any offer would be in keeping with the current financial situation at the club.
In Holden’s case in particular, Freedman is keen for the American to concentrate only on making a full recovery from his long-term injury issues.
“I can't be too emotional because everyone is so emotional towards him,” he said. “He's a great fella and I wish him all the luck in the world.
“Yes he is out of contract in the summer but that’s the least of his concerns.
“He has gone through a career-threatening major knee operation so that’s far from his thinking, his contract situation. Just getting back playing football is a delight for him.
“I don’t think he needs that sort of pressure from me to sign, or not to sign, a contract. I think he needs all the support he can get to play football. Let’s strip it all down and remember the days when he used to play in the streets. That’s what he needs to remember.”

Juventus push for Jovetic as Fiorentina come in for Quagliarella

Fiorentina are making a move for Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella.
Viola coach Vincenzo Montella wants to sign the Italy international before tomorrow night's transfer deadline.
Tuttosport says Juve GM Beppe Marotta is open to discussing terms - if Fiorentina are prepared to consider Stevan Jovetic's sale.
Marotta would be willing to accept even first refusal on Jovetic with the view to signing the Montenegro international in the summer.

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)