Comments on: Fiorentina 1, Lazio 2: Match Recap

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:32:06 +0000

I didn’t get a chance to see the game, but I’m torn as to the result. I detest Lazio and didn’t want to the see Fiorentina bow out at this point in the competition. But, the Coppa is of dubious importance and I can’t muster much in the way of dissatisfaction regarding the performance.

In addition, I can’t really argue with Prandelli fielding less than his full lineup. Right now, Milan is 7 points back of Fiorentina, with a game in hand, and coming to the Franchi on Sunday evening. I’ll have more thoughts on the game posted later tonight or tomorrow, but this is unquestionably the most important game for Fiorentina up to this point this season. Obviously a tie would suit the Viola very well and a win would put them in a very strong position for the 4th place, but a result like that will be difficult to obtain against an experienced and motivated Milan side (not to mention the fact that Fiorentina have yet to beat one of the Italian “big 4″ this season). At any rate, this has to be considered a dissapointing performance, but the only real concern is whether this diminishes the confidence in the team leading up the match with Milan.

And Martha – What is this trend you speak of? I thought that in recent weeks Fiorentina had been playing much better than their late November – mid December slump.

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:45:29 +0000

I think I actually WAS pretty hard on the Viola. I referred to the team as toothless, called the defense poor, and suggested Pazzini did nothing of consequence.

That being said, I still think a team takes its cues from a coach, and when Pradelli didn’t put out his best side, his club, perhaps even subconsciously, stepped it down a notch. So I am a little hesitant to totally go after the players.

And Vspot, (great name, by the way)I definitely hear what you’re saying. Your choice of words is a little funny, however, as the stadium was definitely not full. Lots and lots of good seats still available. Thus my (lame) little joke that started the post: “Today in front of tens of fans…”

By: vspot

vspot — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:52:33 +0000

I understand the priorities but when you’re only two games from the final I don’t see the point in sitting your best player. The fans filled the stadium for a reason.

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:32:51 +0000

Man, you’re so much nicer to the Viola than I would have been — I see this is a trend. (: I thought they were awful, apart from a few good passes (including Bobo’s for the goal). Gobbi passed to Lazio at least 3x more often than he did his own team, and he was (for me) representative of the whole team, and their collective level of concentration. Even Frey caught it — that second goal was going to take a lot to stop, but I thought he made himself smaller when he closed Rocchi down, rather than getting big and cutting off the goal.

That said, I’m not too unhappy about going out — getting int the CL and advancing in the UEFA Cup definitely are the priorities.