Fiorentina 2 – Slavia Prague 0: Match “Recap’
By: Ted | August 12th, 2008
Today in beautiful Florence the Viola won the first leg of their Champions League qualifier vs. Slavia Prague, thus putting them in excellent position to to win the tie with a solid performance next week, which would allow the club to advance to the lucrative and exciting group stages of the contest. Adrian Mutu scored early (on an apparently sublime free kick), Alberto Gilardino scored late, and generally Fiorentina dominated the match. By all accounts the new guys played well, the returning players seemed in their groove, and the fearsome front line of Gila and Mutu justified the attention they generated over the summer.
Writing match recaps is one of the things about this job that I most enjoy; I cannot imagine a better Sunday afternoon, for example, that intently watching a Fiorentina match and then writing about the experience afterwards. That’s why I am so frustrated to report that I essentially missed today’s game, yet another summer match I did not see. For one thing, I was at work, and could not really focus on the match even if I had a good feed. (Damn you, gainful employment!) But I had another day of getting lousy streams of the match, either not getting it at all or getting coverage so choppy that it was virtually unwatchable. I hope things improve, and improve rapidly, in that department. If I miss next week’s return match I think I might resort to the demon liquor again.
So, in essence, I would ask you to leave your impressions of the match in the comment section. I would love to hear from those of you who saw that match. Here are some things I’m curious about:
1). How did the team do as a whole? Did they move the ball well? Defend well? How did midfield link up with the attackers?
2). How did the new guys (Melo, Vargas, Gila, etc) do? Obviously Gila scored and Melo did well by all match reports I’ve read, but what was your impression?
3). what formation did the Great man employ? Do you think it was situational (just for this game) or might it be something he could stick with for a while?
Let me know your thoughts.
Obviously the Viola are in fine shape. They still of course have to travel to Prague, and anything can happen, but if they play as they are capable they should be able to punch their ticket to the Champions League Group Stage.
Two final things: first, Alessio, a frequent and generous contributor to this page, left a list of links to highlights of the match in the comment board of the preview. I am posting these for reader’s benefit with thanks to Alessio. Just paste them in your browser to check them out.
Kuzmanovic shot http://rapidshare.com/files/136851551/kuzm…c_shot.avi.html
Santana & Gila Skills http://rapidshare.com/files/136852016/Sant…Skiils.avi.html
Gila Chance http://rapidshare.com/files/136852862/Gila_Chance.avi.html
Gila Chance 2 http://rapidshare.com/files/136853543/Gila_Chance_2.avi.html
All clips from 1st half in one file- http://rapidshare.com/files/136858037/1st_…1_file.zip.html
Vargas Shot http://rapidshare.com/files/136859093/Vargas_Shot.avi.html
Mutu corner http://rapidshare.com/files/136864280/Mutu_corner.avi.html
Viola_Chance http://rapidshare.com/files/136865281/Viola_Chance.avi.html
Finally, a number of readers have pointed out this charming story of our man Monto watching the match in China at 2AM. I pass it along to you so we can all continue to adore our favorite young midfielder.
That’s all for now; take care everyone, and Forza Viola! One step closer to the Champions League!
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Comments
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I just watched a highlight video of the game… That Mutu free kick was pure magic. BEAUTIFUL!
Posted from
United States
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There are quite a few real-time observations on the game thread, but to answer your questions:
They were very impressive and dominated from the outset. Slavia didn’t have a shot or corner in the first half and it easily could have been 4 or 5 nil with some more clinical finishing. Mutu was clearly up for the evening (though not match fit, he needed to come off a bit before he did), as was Gilardino, though his integration into the attack still needs some work (Montolivo’s absence may have been telling in this respect). I am a pessimist by nature, but think that Gila getting off the mark in his first official match is a tremendously good sign, he has a terrible tendancy to obsess when he doesn’t score and one hopes this avoids the vicious spiral he fell into at Milan.
Vargas was a constant overlapping threat, and Kuzmanovic was better than I’ve ever seen him in purple. The defence was the weakest link, but not poor (though Slavia didn’t do much to challenge them). They were also missing Commotto and Gamberini.
Formation was a 4-3-3, which I expect Prandelli to use at home against teams Fiorentina should beat. He may well go to something more defensive in Prague, particularly if he is still short of defenders at the back.
The Gazzetta was very impressed: http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Primo_Piano/2008/08/12/FioreSlavia.shtml.
And it’s always a good day when the front page of the best selling paper in the country headlines SUPER VIOLA!
http://www.gazzetta.it/primapagina/They do need to fix the pitch before the season starts; it was a shambles. Prandelli shouldn’t be replacing divots at the interval.
Posted from
Italy -
It was a beautiful set piece from Mutu. Gila’s goal ws typically opportunistic. Ted, like you, I tried to watch streaming video while at work. It was choppy and of poor quality. The feed was from an Arabic channel somewhere, and the worst part was the offensive and racist chatter other viewers were engaged in that could not be avoided while watching. If anyone knows of quality feeds, it be nice to hear about them.
Posted from
United States -
Nick, streaming generally depends on the size of the event. Come the Group Stages, it won’t be too hard to find a good stage. But given the limited tv space the preliminaries have, not surprised it was bad.
Generally at myp2p.eu, if it says MediaPlayer it’s some flash player on Justin.tv or something. Easy to access but they are always low-grade quality. You’re better off trying the Sopcast/TVU ones if you can install it at work.
Posted from
United States -
I was impressed how Viola controlled play. On 50/50 balls Fiorentina was always winning it, and keeping it. The scoreline is flattering if anything to Slavia.
Gilardino played well creating chances but his finishing was not that great, but it’s good to see him get a goal, he needed it. I was impressed by Melo and Vargas will be insane for the Viola. Can’t believe Roma didn’t snap him up.
Posted from
United States -
Siamo furbissimi, alessio.
Posted from
Italy -
Last year, UEFA had all the group games on their web page as either pay per view ($1.99) or you could buy a “season pass” for about $30 I think. The really nice thing was that UEFA archived the games so I could watch them on my own schedule. Hopefully they do it again this year.
Posted from
United States -
I left this already on the last thread, but I’ll say it again: good strong showing, but still a little incoherent in the final third, and Gila (despite some better touches than I’ve seen from him in two years) is still worrying me. Melo was amazing, as were Vargas and Kuz. The defense was stronger than I expected, but not as strong as I’d like; it’s still our weakest area, and while I know that we’re missing Gamberini and Comotto, that’s the whole problem. We should have a strong defense even without them, because there will come times when we won’t have them. Still, Danielli and Kroldrup were both more secure than I’ve come to expect, so that is relieving. Osvaldo when he came on was superb, as expected.
In conclusion: strong midfield (stronger once Monto comes back), slightly shaky defense, and needing better finishing, but doing very well, for what we are and where we are.
PS I really want a reporter to ask Monto, ’so, did you get a stream to work?’
Posted from
United States -
Certainly are, Ursus. Some great coups in the mercato (Melo, anyone) and your team is looking more frightening than Roma’s for this next season.
Posted from
United States -
Hi Ted,
I was at the Franchi yesterday and since you asked I thought I’d give you my insights.
1). The team did pretty well as a whole, playing pretty much the same as last year. Not everything is working perfectly yet, of course, and some of the guys are not at the top of their physical condition yet. So we moved the ball well for most of the first half but during the second half we kinda slowed down. The defense did well, Kroldrup was not always so elegant but in general he was effective, and Dainelli played a very good match. I still think that if Dainelli is ok physically, he is one of the best defenders in the Seria A, so it’s hard for Corvino to find a better alternative. It must be said, though, that the Slavia was a pretty poor opponent. The Midfield did quite well, Kuz tried to score a couple of times, Gobbi did his job as always, while Felipe, WOW. Think Liverani, only taller and much stronger. He’s a real fighter down in the midfield, and has amazing dribbling and passing skills. It was mainly him who would start the attack and counterattack, with great precision and effectiveness. We did well on the wings too, although Zauri and Santana need some time to get to know each other better.
2). I have already given my opinion on Felipe above. He’s probably the best midfielder I have seen wear our beloved jersey since Dunga. (ok, Rui, but he was a different type of player). Gila did well, I liked him. I like Pazzini but as a centravanti Gila did much better. He has a great physical strength, and was great in coming back towards the midfield to get the ball and let the team come up. Vargas was not in perfect shape, but he did not do too bad. His shot on a free kick in the second half was impressing. IT’s good to know we have more options on free kicks this year.
3). The formation was the classic 4-3-3 we saw all of the last year, with Vargas playing a bit more forward maybe, and Gobbi covering for him. When Vargas was taken off, Gobbi became the left fullback while Kuz moved to the centre-left, and Almiron took Kuz’s place on the centre-right. Almiron did pretty badly at first, but then he found the right rhythm in the game and showed some good passing skills. I think that just like the past years, Cesare will try a few other formations but then will stick with it. I think this is how we will play for most of the season – just my impression though.Latest rumors: apparently Corvino is close to signing Alex da Silva of Sao Paulo (now on loan at Nautico). Apparently, in case the game in Prague goes the way it should (touch wood), they are going to sign him. He is the brother of Luisao of Benfica, he has 2 caps for the Seleçao. I am not sure about defenders being thrown into the Serie A, it always takes them time to readjust. But Corvino likes him, and Prandelli prefers to sign him rather than Miranda. And whatever they like, I like.
Hope my little rant satisfied your curiosity about the game, Ted.
FORZA VIOLA
Posted from
Italy -
you are the best MUTU
Posted from
Romania -
Marco P did another great match review about the game as well, he does terrific work. Check it out. http://www.mcalcio.com/fiorentina-2-0-slavia-prague-la-viola-return-to-the-champions-league-in-style/
Posted from
United States -
ale, I have to return the compliment; your lot looked awfully good against Artmedia last night.
And it will be good to have you back where you belong.
Posted from
Italy -
Forza viola…..milanisti rosicate!!
Posted from
Italy
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