Sunday afternoon; again; this time at The Stadium Of Light.  The windy North East doesn't trouble either set of fans who turn up in good numbers and good voice.  Wiley has a really poor game although unlike the last howler he doesn't call back a spurious John son goal.  Kicking an Everton player whilst he is down, pushing an Everton player to the floor in retaliation and going in for the ankle and not the ball with studs showing on an Everton player are all deemed 'nothing much to worry about, eh lads?"

Apparently; so Hackett tells us; Wiley is one of the better Premier League Officials. 

Sunderland weren't any good and really, neither were Everton.  Three points away with a poor performance is always welcome. 

 

It's a long trip to Sunderland, not long enough to daunt the Everton fans from making the trip.  Everyone received a warm Wearside welcome.  The visitors are hovering on the cusp of Europe and Sunderland are hovering on the cusp of relegation so a win is vital, a point is OK and a loss isn't catastrophic although the season's run in becomes just a little bit harder as a result.  Keane is even generous enough to give a nod to Everton's progress under Moyes. 

 

Keane makes changes from the side that drew last week; the squad isn't huge but has been doing well at home.  Gordon keeps goal with a back four of Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans and Collins.  The five across the middle are Stokes, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Richardson and Murphy with Jones ploughing the furrow alone up front.  The 451 gives you all the information you need to know about what Sunderland will try to do. 

 

Moyes; fresh from two excellent league performances and an awful UEFA Cup game goes with a positive 442.  Howard keeps goal, Hibbert stays at right back with Yobo and Jagielka in the centre and Lescott remains at left back.  Arteta starts after injury, Neville sits in the middle with Cahill and Pienaar occupies the left flank.  Yakubu and John son partner up front.  The 442 away from home against a team in relegation trouble is duly noted. 

"Come on lads, this is football not f. uc. kin' line dancing!"  The Ugly SIster motivates the Blues (Royal that is!)

The first ten minutes is dull, lacks skill, cohesion and any sort of goal threat.  Wiley does pull back play when Lescott's run has taken him deep on the left with time and space to perhaps create something. 

A tired Everton set up to attack are blunted by a dour Sunderland set up to defend. 

That's the first half in a nutshell. 

Everton's most potent threat is the odd corner or a neat bit of ball work and skill when the players find themselves in more than a yard of space without being closed down. 

Lescott has a couple of shooting chances but doesn't fancy going for goal with his feet. 

Cahill's close range effort is blocked by Bardsley onto the post and the rebound is headed over by John son; this is off a flurry of late first half corners. 

Nothing much in the way of attacking for the men in Royal Blue or Red, White and Black. 

Jagielka shows his pace as he tracks back to prevent Jones from getting free on the right.

Jagielka comes a rare second in this round of a good tussle that livened up a dull game. 

The refereeing; or lack of anything resembling skilful officiating; provides the first half talking points. 

Arteta is fouled and smothers the ball with his arms and head.  This doesn't mean anything to Stokes whose first kick catches a Spanish arm and who is allowed a second kick which thankfully doesn't connect with a face.  Hardly worth a whistle and certainly not a card. 

 

Moyes must have given his charges a right old fashioned bollocking at the half and Keane brings on the much more talented Chopra to replace Stokes. 

 

A good early Sunderland chance is created when Neville is lazy in the middle and allows Richardson to nick the ball, and then Hibbert's awful clearance allows Murphy the opportunity to cross.  The wide player whips in a lovely ball for Jones and Lescott has to be strong to protect his goal. 

Murphy delivers a neat near post cross which forces Howard to be alert although nothing is really testing the big American, defensive snafus are giving him more problems than anything Sunderland muster. 

 

Everton get a goal after some decent pressure was capitalized on.  The tempo increased from the away side, two fluffed clearances help to maintain it; first by Leadbitter to concede a soft throw in and secondly from Collins to concede possession deep inside his own half; why he didn't smack it into row Z I don't know.

"This time the bast-ard in the black can't possibly give me offside, can he?" AJ worries about Wiley. 

A poor Hibbert cross is beaten away and falls to Collins who' remarkably' doesn't hoof it upfield.  His pass is intercepted by Yakubu who turns, looks up and plays a great ball to the penalty spot, Cahill's leap is only sufficient to take the ball away from Pienaar at the back post.  The South African manages to retain the ball and keeps it simple with a layback to Arteta, the Spaniard whips in a ball to the near post which glances of John son's elbow beyond Gordon.

Sunderland's whole season captured in just one image!

"This one is for you Mags!"

Several replays later the commentators notice it's not actually a headed goal, more of an armed goal.  Johnson gets the benefit of being in the right place at the right time and seals the win.

Heaven is painted Royal Fu. Ck.  Ing Blue!

Everton never really look like getting a second whilst Keane's changes sting some action into Sunderland who come closest to getting a goal. 

Lack of quality and tiredness and one world class save keeps the score at nil one. 

Murphy shows more good skill with another good cross from the left and then comes off for Reid who doesn't deliver one telling ball into the box for the rest of the game. 

Nosworthy denies Johnson from a corner kick and Hibbert does well to stifle the resultant break which sees Everton well out numbered. 

Jagielka makes a double block in the area after a lovely reverse ball from Prica finds Chopra.  The Swede doesn't do much else in the game. 

The best of the game; from both sides; comes right at the death.  Anichebe makes a clumsy challenge and gives Sunderland a free kick in a dangerous area.  Reid's delivery curls neatly over the wall and looks to be going under the bar, Howard manages to adjust his flight and reaches up to tip the ball behind.  Good free kick and great save.

"Right Jack, this is called a Wall, now just stand there and pretend to be a brick!"

Phil passes on his vast experience to sixteen year old Premier League debutant, Jack Rodwell.

 

Sunderland played like a team in the bottom reaches of the Premier League, tough, gritty, flashes of neat play but on the whole a lot more endeavour than skill. 

Played to the tune of Olivia Newtron Bomb - Let's Get Physical!

Everton played tired and lacked much skill on the ball; they had the extra gear and the skill to worry Sunderland and got a good break on the goal.  Defensively they were good and just didn't ever test Gordon when going forward.  An away win at this stage of the season is priceless.

"THE UNDERTAKER!  WINS UGLY AGAIN!"

David Moyes is fiercly jubilant after a tough old win at Sunderland!

 

Wiley.  Another poor game for the Staffordshire official. 

You can cut him some slack for awarding a spurious goal, perhaps. 

Awarding Bardsley a yellow for a reckless lunge on Pienaar is awful refereeing. 

Unlike in the Laws of the game as defined by FIFA the laws of the game as applied by Alan Wiley allow one player to push another player to the ground in retaliation of a tackle and merely get a talking to. 

If the ball is under a player's face it's OK to kick for the ball. 

A flying; kuyt inspired; studs up lunge which is half a yard from the ball is merely a yellow, the player walked off so it's really just one of those things. 

Diving Spaniards are good for the game. 

 

On his way to the grass after the faintest of touches...again!

Alan Wiley displaying that infamous fairness he always displays when faced with Royal Blue shirts!

"I'm a little teapot short and stout
One arm in and one arm out
One for the handle
One for the spout
Tip me over and the tea pours out"

Alan Wiley gets musical after downing a couple of stiff ones before his last Everton game.

Nothing Much changes for Alan Wiley

Referee Alan Wiley dropped after Everton clangers

Feb 6 2008

THE match officials who deprived Everton of the chance to strengthen their grip on fourth place against Blackburn Rovers have been punished for their errors.

Referee Alan Wiley, who failed to show David Dunn a second yellow card for deliberate handball and never pointed to the spot when Andrew Johnson was fouled by Zurab Khizanishvili, will not be allowed to take charge of a game this weekend.

Sunderland:-

Gordon

Bardsley

Nosworthy

Evans

Collins

Stokes (Chopra 46)

Whitehead

Leadbitter (Prica 74)

Richardson

Murphy (Reid 67)

Jones

 

Bookings:-

Whitehead

Bardsley

 

Goals:-

 

 

Everton:-

Howard

Hibbert

Yobo

Jagielka

Lescott

Arteta

Neville

Cahill (Rodwell 87)

Pienaar (Baines 81)

Yakubu (Anichebe 87)

John son

 

Bookings:-

Cahill

 

Goals:-

John son 54

 

Attendance:-

42595

 

Referee:-

Alan Wiley

 

 

Images courtesy of Evertonfc.com

Images courtesy of bbc.co.uk

Images courtesy of daylife.com

Shiiterefereeing courtesy of alanwileyisacnut.com

Sunday afternoon at Goodison Park.  Hardly the proper time for football but nonetheless.  Tense game with some expansive and beautiful Everton play.  Pompey's very own Diddy man evades his markers to grab an equalizer for the visitors and the home side is discombobulated for a while.  Normal service resumes and Tiny Tim gets Everton's second whilst the Yak scores the third of the game and his eighteenth of the season. 

 

A convoluted trip limits the number of away fans although the home fans turn up in decent numbers for what is a European six pointer.  The weather and pitch are fine and the Panto Dame predicts a bore draw.  Hardly serious football journalism from Lawro when both sides have only managed two (home/away) draws from league play this season.  The stakes are high and at both teams are unbeaten in three so something has to give. 

 

Moyes is starting to encounter the problems of having a full and functioning squad coupled with the need to drop or change players.  Difficult but a nice problem to have. 

Howard keeps goal, Hibbert occupies the right back berth after a solid performance against Petrov, Yobo and Jagielka continue their strong partnership in the centre and Lescott stays at left back.  Carsley and Neville sit deep with Pienaar Osman and Cahill getting licenses to attack with Yakubu as the main forward.  This is very firmly an attacking 4 5 1. 

"IT'S OK LADS! MOST OF THEM ARE ONLY THIS TALL!"
DAVID JAMES ON THE MIDGET GEMS!

Redknapp has plenty to chose from and opts for a large 4 5 1.  James continues his long streak in goal the back four has the energy at the flanks in John son and Hreidarsson and solidity in the middle with Campbell and Distin.  Strung across the middle are Bouba Diop, Diarra, Muntari and Krancjar with Defoe and Kanu up front as a little and large partnership. 

 

"IS THE BIG GUY ENGLISH?"

CAPELLO, HOT OF THE HELICOPTER FROM BOLTON.

PLENTY OF ENGLISH TALENT ON SHOW!

Before Capello has even taken his seat (the Italian is hot off the helicopter after watching Bolton lose) Yakubu has duly scored the opener.  A brisk Everton attack and a clumsy challenge see Pienaar deliver a nothing ball into the area.  Distin is too slow, John son just watches and the rest of the defence barely moves as Yobo flicks the ball on for his countryman to stoop and head beyond James.  Clocked at fifty seconds.

"FEED THE YAK AND HE WILL SCORE!"
JOHN SON AND JAMES CAN DO NOTHING TO STOP NUMBER SEVENTEEN

Before it's even begun the game has turned into a major challenge for Portsmouth.  One which in the first half they barely rise to. 

Huge swathes of the first half see some delightful Everton passing and movement which bamboozles and befuddles Pompey. 

My highlight is Pienaar and Cahill passing to each other as they advance down the left ignorant (seemingly) of the Pompey defenders they leave for dead.  Nothing comes of all the fancy footwork but a few good saves and clearances from a stout Pompey back line or a wayward strike from Phil Neville. 

Osman and Cahill have chances and James gets away with one of his trademark Calamity's ™. 

The Everton player with the hottest boots is Irish; Carsley has a free kick and two more chances, none of which find the target.

"EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING
THOSE GUYS ARE FAST AS LIGHTENING
SOMETIMES IT'S A WAS LITTLE BIT FRIGHTENING
EVERYBODY IS KUNG FU FUGHTING
LA LA LA LAAH!"
THE KUNG FU OF KUYT IS PRACTISED AGAIN AT GOODISON PARK. 

John son skinned Pienaar early on but produced a poor cross and Kranjcar briefly sputtered into life in a half that until the thirty eighth minutes the visitors looked practically dead and buried as they foundered on a calmly wonderful Everton back six. 

The ground goes into that stunned away goal silence when from out of the blue John son lays in a lovely ball which Howard should be rushing off his line to claim.  The big yank doesn't and the little Englishman slips between two vastly bigger but static defenders to graze the ball with the faintest of touches beyond a flailing Howard for the equalizer. 

Who picked up Defoe's run and why didn't Howard move.  For a normally solid defence that was shocking.

"SILENCE IS GOLDEN"
UNLESS IT'S THAT GHASTLY SILENCE THAT FOLLOWS AN AWAY GOAL
POMPEY'S VERY OWN MIDGET GEM GETS AN UNEXPECTED EQUALIZER.

Everton still press in the last five but some of the conviction has slipped from their play. 

 

Moyes keeps things the same and Harry must have given some sort of fire-breathing-barnstorming-Churchillean monologue to inspire his players. 

 

The visitors emerged from the tunnel with their proverbial tails up, Defoe and Yakubu were swapping goal celebrations and everyone was happy. 

Ten minutes into the half and Everton had barely gotten into second gear.  The champagne had gone flat and it took a determined team effort to haul their sorry arses back into the game, they were just getting going and starting to move forward with some purpose when the key managerial input came. 

Moyes switched to a 4 4 2 and brought off Hibbert for John son, Neville slotted in to the right back role and John son caused immediate mayhem. 

A rapid and ball hungry outlet pulled the Pompey defence all over the park. 

The interplay between the front two was nice to see and effective, Pompey retreated back into their shell and even the addition of Utaka's pace and skill made little difference to the Blues' dominance. 

Things were still tense though as without a goal Pompey could sneak one or the game could end drawn. 

Tensions eased and the noise level rose after some neat play on the left produced a classic Cahill headed goal.

SOMEWHERE IN TIM CAHILL'S LINEAGE IS A WALLABY!
THE EXCELLENT OZZIE LEAPS TO GET HIS TENTH OF THE SEASON

The Australian played a ball out to the left from deep, Yakubu got on the end of it and played in Pienaar, the South African whose crosses the ball into the six yard box, Cahill has continued his run and not been picked up and rose magnificently to bury one, his tenth of the year. 

John son scored but the goal was called back for a tight offside and James had another Calamity ™ yet got way with it. 

The icing on the cake (albeit not a clean sheet) was Yakubu's second goal.  Portsmouth lost the ball in the Everton half and John son picked up the clearance, his crossfield ball flew fourty yards and caught Campbell in an indecisive mood, the ex-Gunner let the ball go behind him and the Yak took the gift, turned Campbell inside around and hammered the ball beyond a stunned James.

FEED THE YAK AND HE WILL SCORE!
NUMBER EIGTHEEN IS ABOUT TO BEAT JAMES AFTER YAKUBU BAMBOOZLES CAMPBELL.

Everton finished professionally. 

 

Everton played well; they dug themselves a hole, blundered around in it for a while before pulling themselves out of it and playing even better. 

Happy with the goals, unhappy with equalizer and the twenty minutes of mental lethargy.

Happiest with the mental toughness that turned the game around in the second half. 

Loved the changed from 4 5 1 to 4 4 2.

EXHIBIT B - HOW BEING A FOOTBALL MANAGER WILL SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR COMPLEXION!

The first half was an intimate exercise; football in microsm; play well but don't score and you leave yourself vulnerable. 

2008 is becoming a good year for Everton in the Premier League. 

Seems the defeats in the two domestic cups were forgotten in the cold of Norway and the team was celebrated in the six-one European Night. 

Thursday will be the toughest test for the team of the season so far.   Fiorentina are good, hungry, and unfamiliar.  To repeat the efforts and enjoy the performances of the 1984/85 season the team needs to play very well against one of Italy's best sides.  Tough but eminently dooable.  COYB

 

Pompey weren't in the game for long periods but could have gotten three points.

"OIY LADS! QUICK! OVER 'ERE - LOOKS LIKE HARRY"S GOING FOR THE HIGH NOTE!"
MR REDKNAPP's URGING HIS TEAM ON WITH SONG!

On small things games turn, for example Defoe.  On another day Pompey score a second and kill the game.  Today they weren't good enough to do that but good enough to frustrate and get at Everton without causing Howard too many worries. 

 

Mariner.  Pretty good game lah!

Note to Andre: check the video of the game, notice that Distin had his arms all over Lescott whilst holding him down, and notice the pushes John son applied at crucial moments to Lescott and Yakubu.  All three offences happened in the penalty area.  Penalties, maybe I'm not an expert, I'm just mentioning them in case you didn't see them. 

 

 

Everton:-

Howard

Hibbert (John son 66)

Yobo

Jagielka

Lescott

Osman

Carsley

Neville

Pienaar (Baines 90)

Cahill

Yakubu (Anichebe 83)

 

Bookings:-

Pienaar

 

Goals:-

Yakubu 50 seconds, 81

Cahill 73

 

 

Portsmouth:-

James

John son

Campbell

Distin

Hreidarsson

BoubaDiop (Utaka 78)

Diarra

Muntari

Kranjcar

Defoe

Kanu

 

Bookings:-

Distin

 

Goals:-

Defoe 38

 

Attendance:-

33938

 

Referee:-

Andre Mariner

 

 

Images courtesy of Evertonfc.com

Images courtesy of bbc.co.uk

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

 

SPOT THE BALL - TURIN STYLE!


"PAVEL! NO!"
FRUSTRATED WITH HIS LACK OF SCORING CZECH WINGER NEDVED GOES ALL GIRLY!


"SORRY GIGI,  I JUST COULDN'T TAKE THE MONEY FROM MORRATI"
SERENI AND BUFFON EXCHANGE PLEASANTRIES AFTER BOTH KEEPING CLEAN SHEETS IN TURIN


"EY OOP!  PLANT LEAD FOOT TWO THREE! FOLLOW THROUGH WITH OTHE FOOT TWO THREE! STRIKE BALL AMAZINGLY HARD! TWO THREE! WHEEL AWAY AND SAY HELLO TO MY CROCKED MATE RONNIE TWO THREE FOUR!
BRAZILIAN BRILLANCE!
QUACK!


"ANYTHING A DUCK CAN DO AN ELEFANT CAN DO JUST AS WELL!"
SPINESI GETS THE EQUALIZER FOR CATANIA


"I'M SCORING ON A JET PLANE!
DON"T KNOW WHEN I WILL SCORE AGAIN!
SO DON'T EVER LET ME GO!"
PAPA WAIGO SALUTES JIMBO, MONTELLA AND JOEY AFTER HE BAGS THE WINNER FOR FIORENTINA!


TOTTI SALUTES NICKY LAUDA AND JOAN COLLINS AFTER HE PUTS ROMA IN FRONT IN MILAN!


MAXWELL TUCKS IT BACK INTO HIS SOCK AFTER IT GETS STEPPED ON AT THE SAN SIRO!


"YOU CAN GO INTO YOUR GALLIC HISTRIONICS ALL YOU WANT LAD.  LOOK AT MY HAND.  IT CONTAINS A CARD.  ITS RED.  WHAT DO LITTLE BOYS DO WHEN THEY SEE RED?"

"VOUS FOUTU B

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.