Let's talk La Viola, ACF Fiorentina, the Serie A side from Florence.  They play Everton in the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup and currently sit a lofty fourth in Serie A. 

 

CESAR PRANDELLI

 

Cesare Prandelli was the manager at AS Roma before personal issues forced his resignation.  He re-emerged at Fiorentina and has been quietly building a team in Florence.  He turned La Viola from relegation strugglers into a fourth place team, scandal hit and they were striped of the Champions League place and 15 points.  Despite the docked points Prandelli managed a very creditable fifth in the 06/07 season and a UEFA Cup spot.  2007/08 has seen his side well up the table and doing well in the UEFA Cup.  He is a fashionista and has had to deal with the death of his wife this season. 

 

WHAT HAS FIORENTINA DONE THIS SEASON?

 

This Viola side has a lot more in common with Everton than does a Svennaisannced Manchester City, perhaps. 

 

Fiorentina has managed the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup with wins the following.

Groningen on penalties in the first round.

In the group stages they faced Villarreal (A), Effsborg (H), AEK Athens (A) and Mlada Boleslav (H) and came away with two wins and two draws; they scored ten and let in four. 

They comfortably beat Rosenborg home and away. 

 

In Serie A

They've played well, sometimes poorly and sometimes spectacularly.  Similar to Everton they haven't beaten the top sides (Milan, Inter and Juventus) this season but have managed a few good draws.  They travel well and Mutu is in the race for the capponcanoniere award. 

 

They aren't exactly a hard or tough team (at least they don't get many cards) and they like to attack.  Criticism of them talks about a 'glass jaw' and not knowing how to defend for long periods. 

 

 

WHO ARE THEY AND WHAT CAN THEY DO?

 

 

Frey (FRA) - excellent 'keeper.  Will be the first choice for the national side in a year or two. 

Dainelli (ITA) - Mainstay of La Viola's defence, good solid centre back. 

Ujfalusi (CZH) - right back (plays in the centre for the Czech Republic).  Better going forward than defending, particularly when pace is involved. 

Gamberini (ITA) - solid centre back and probably see action in Euro08. 

Kroldrup (DEN) - big good and works well with Gamberini - he'll be making a return to his previous club and no love will have been lost at all. 

Potenza (ITA) - promising youngster with limited opportunities at Fiorentina, definitely one for the future. 

Pasqual (ITA) a left back, who can play further forward, gives Fiorentina a good crosser and willing runner who likes to take free kicks and corners. 

 

Da Costa (POR) - a youth prospect - unlikely to figure

Donadel (ITA) - creative midfielder for Prandelli, can spread the ball about from deep or from the flanks. 

Semioli (ITA) - mostly wide right in either the middle or in a three man attack, great crosser of the ball. 

Liverani (ITA) - can play wide left or in the middle, very creative with a good range of passing and a nice turn of speed. 

Montolivo (ITA) - creative youngster, most used from the bench. 

Gobbi (ITA) - utility player, really a midfielder and much more comfortable in that position. 

Kuzmanovic (SUI)- young midfield starlet.  Pace and plenty of energy, good box to box and doesn't really have a pair of scoring boots. 

Jorgenson (DEN)- Utility and then some, will fit in to any position and do a decent job. 

Santana (ARG) - right sided midfielder with attacking intentions, good pace, movement and trickery with a good cross. 

 

Mutu (ROM ) - Fiorentina's main goal threat and a potent weapon.  Scores from anywhere and comes off the flanks well.  A good lone striker or when paired with others.  Cappocanoiere potential with 14 Serie A goals on the season

Vieri (ITA) - wily veteran who may have lost some pace, he still has a bagful of tricks and is a good target man with an excellent positional sense. 

Pazzini (ITA) - a great foil for Mutu and having a wonderful season so far.  Pacy and athletic he can play wide or through the middle. 

Papa Wiago (SEN) - new signing and primarily a wide player, will fit into Fiorentina's 4 3 3 quite well. 

Cacia (ITA) - young forward who can come of the bench and do a decent job. 

Osvaldo (ARG) - new to Fiorentina but already an impact player, pacy goal hanger. 

 

 

WHAT FORMATION AND WHAT PLAYERS?

 

Typically Prandelli will go with a 4 3 3 (although not the same sort of 4 3 3 that Grant uses at Chelsea). 

 

If he has all his players available then this is what I would suggest could be his starting eleven. 

 

GK - Frey

RB - Ujfalusi

CB - Dainelli

CB - Gamberini

LB - Pasqual

RM - Semioli

CM - Kuzmanovic

LM - Donadel

CF - Semioli

CF - Mutu

CF - Pazzini

 

Bench -

Kroldrup

Montolivo

Liverani

Jorgenson

Vieri

Santana

 

FIORENTINA'S NEXT OPPONENTS

Fiorentina play strugglers Livorno On Wednesday and then a tough trip to Turin to play the Bianconeri.  Then they welcome the Blues.