Wow!  Another game for La Viola involving a wow!  This time Prandelli's charges manage to beat Juventus in Turin in a blinder of a game.  Five goals, brilliant play, tactical shenanigans and edge of the seat excitement.  Oh and that is the team the Blues is going to play on Thursday. 

 

The Stadio Olimpico in Turin is ripe for a tough European six pointer.  With Milan only managing a draw and Roma winning three points is vital in the hunt for the prime European spots.  A decent and vocal crowd and high expectations greeted the opening whistle. 

 

Ranierii's eleven is still missing some key pieces in the middle and at the back, although still strong.  Buffon comes into the 'keepers spot with a makeshift back four of Zebina, Legrottaglie, Grygera and Molinaro.  Midfield sees Camoranesi and Palladino provide the attacking flair with Sissoko and Zanetti providing the solidity.  Del Piero and Trezeguet partner up front. 

 

Prandelli; without star forward and with a UEFA Cup Night in midweek still picks an attacking eleven. 

Frey retains the 'keeper's jersey and has a familiar; if not first choice; back four in front of him of Ujfalusi and Gobbi wide with Gamberini and Kroldrup in the middle.  Kuzmanovic, Donadel and Montolivo make up the midfield with Pazzini leading a three man attack flanked by Santana on the right and top notch utility player Jorgenson on the left. 

 

Juventus start off sharpish in an open game, Kuzmanovic almost buries Santana's cross and Zebina almost finishes a move he starts with a header just over Frey's bar. 

Fiorentina lay it out and make you beat them, they play the same home and away and don't change much as they profess to be 'unable to protect a lead'. 

They get the ball out wide and aim for dangerous crosses or cutting runs into the area with midfielders coming late in support. 

Juventus are crossers too and they also like to play it quickly forward through the middle. 

The game unfolds kindly for a hard working and ebullient Fiorentina, Santana's runs causing Molinaro all sorts of problems, Pazzini is a handful for a less than solid back four and Fiorentina push up or drop back very well as a team.  La Viola's runs at Juve cause all sorts of problems, Buffon has to be at his best when he's clearly not 100%. 

Another direct run and a lovely one two sees Gobbi beat Buffon for the opener.  Pushing up from the right back berth the midfielder uses Jorgenson as a foil before a continuation of his run, a static Juve defence and a great return from the Dane combine well and  a neat finish bulges the back of the net. 

More of the same without actually scoring fills the next ten minutes. 

Juve are struggling to mount meaningful attacks and seeing little of the ball.  A free kick from the left sees Frey flail weakly at the ball in, it drops kindly to Sissoko who uses his Kuyt inspired Kung Fu and beats Frey with a spectacular overhead kick. 

Fiorentina's fragility comes to the fore, they still go forward but lack the edge they had in the first half and Juventus gradually neutralize the threat and finish the half even on honours and possession.  The stalemate continues into the second half without either team threatening greatly.

 

Juve look most dangerous exploiting the space on the break and some tweaking from the bench moves some players around and pays handsome dividends. 

Palladino; exerting more influence as the game wears on; plays in Molinaro on the right, his back post cross confuses the Viola centre backs and allows Camoranesi the opportunity to volley a scorcher in for a two-one lead. 

 

Fragility and glass jaws aside Fiorentina keep on plugging.  Prandelli makes some astute changes and Osvaldo gets his shot (courtesy of Ujfalusi and the utilitarian nature of Jorgenson who slots into the right back role!) and the trickery of Santana is swapped for the pace of Papa Waigo. 

Ranierii shuts up shop with the removal if Camoranesi for Nocerino and he swaps guile for size when Del Piero is replaced by Iaquinta. 

 

Fiorentina keep attacking and Juventus keep defending, surely they can hold on at home for another twenty minutes.  

The Bianconeri are woefully mistaken. 

Osvaldo runs at Juve and the loose ball bounces for Pazzini, he lays it intelligently wide to Papa Waigo who is given time to take the three touches he needs to slot it beyond Buffon. 

Fiorentina keep attacking and Juventus keep defending, surely they can hold on at home for another fifteen minutes.  Iaquinta had a free kick go just wide. 

The Bianconeri are woefully mistaken. 

La Viola just doesn't quit, they may slow up a little but they just keep on attacking.  The two substitutes combine again to bag the injury time winner.  Papa Waigo's pace allows him some space on the right and he crosses well for Osvaldo to head past Buffon at the near post. 

 

Ranierii has seen his side slump to one point in three games and seen Fiorentina close the points gap.  Injuries have been a factor but shutting up shop and then conceding two late on is shoddy at best.  The Bianconeri can complain about cheats and punishment all they want, they have a fine squad, good players and a good manager, they just aren't playing as well as they can recently. 

 

Prandelli will be fashionably delighted.  Smart changes freshen up his side and his tactics were carried out in exemplary fashion by his players.  The side is still not at full strength yet worked hard and created much.  La Viola are young side sprinkled with experience and style.  They play a good brand of football with some good energy and commitment.  Five years ago they were defunct and now they have climbed back into the upper echelons of Serie A and Europe.  They are always susceptible when ahead but do score freely. 

Expect that at home on Thursday night they play with the same attacking and committed 4 3 3 against Everton; even though the personnel will be different

 

Farina had a decent game. 

 

 

Juventus:-

Buffon

Zebina

Legrottaglie

Grygera

Molinaro

Camoranesi (Nocerino 66)

Sissoko

Zanetti

Palladino

Trezeguet

Del Piero (Iaquinta 71)

 

Bookings:-

Camoranesi

 

Goals:-

Sissoko 27

Camoranesi 58

 

 

Fiorentina:-

Frey

Ujfalusi (Osvaldo 61)

Gamberini

Kroldrup

Gobbi

Kuzmanovic

Montolivo

Santana (Papa Waigo 67)

Pazzini

Jorgenson

 

Goals:-

Gobbi 19

Papa Waigo 74

Osvaldo 93

 

Bookings:-

Osvaldo 93

 

Referee:-

Farina