Serie A 1st week : Fiorentina vs Juventus @ Stadio Franchi

**Mahdiano** · Last edited by Mahdiano on Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:49 am; edited 1 time in total

Serie A Week 1 - 31/8/08 (19.30 UK)

Fiorentina - Juventus

Stadio Franchi

The Serie A season starts with a bang as bitter rivals and Scudetto challengers Fiorentina and Juventus clash in a mouth-watering Stadio Artemio Franchi opener.

After heroically grabbing fourth place last season, the pressure is on Fiorentina to build on their success while juggling Champions League commitments. While Coach Cesare Prandelli has ruled out a title challenge, there is an air of optimism radiating around Florence after an impressive transfer campaign.

Alberto Gilardino is ready for a renaissance after arriving from Milan and could form a devastating partnership with Adrian Mutu, who was locked away from Roma. Juan Manuel Vargas and Felipe Melo have also been added along with striking starlet Stevan Jovetic, who is widely tipped for the top. One new man who will desperate to impress is midfielder Sergio Almiron who was rejected by Juventus after a season on the sidelines.

Juve have also set the bar high after finishing in third place on their return to the top flight last term. Claudio Ranieri’s men must fight for the Scudetto this term and the Bianconeri boss needs to prove that he can win silverware. Pre-season was the usual collection of ups and downs, including an impressive win over Arsenal and a creditable draw with Manchester United, but also a 4-1 demolition at the hands of Milan in the Trofeo Berlusconi.

Former Palermo goal machine Amauri was the signing of the summer and Juve have arguably the most powerful striking line in Italy with Alessandro Del Piero, David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta also ready to fire. While the additions of gutsy midfielder Christian Poulsen and Swedish centre-back Olof Mellberg has added muscle, there is a fear that the new Juve lack flair. However, the return of diminutive Azzurrini playmaker Sebastian Giovinco after a year at Empoli could provide a shot in the arm.

The Viola beat Juve 3-2 in a thriller last March in Turin, while this fixture finished 1-1 last term. The Old Lady conquered Florence in December 2005 and, in fact, the Gigliati haven’t beaten Juve in a League match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi since December 1998.

Prandelli’s big worry is Mutu, who sustained an elbow injury while on international duty with Romania. Last term’s goal-getter should start alongside former Parma teammate Gilardino and Jovetic could begin behind the pair. Debuts are also likely for Luciano Zauri, Vargas and Melo.

The visitors are waiting to see whether Pavel Nedved can overcome the minor calf knock he picked up during the Trofeo Birra Moretti. Amauri may start on the bench after his exploits against Artmedia on Tuesday night with last season’s dynamite duo of Del Piero and Trezeguet likely to be favoured from the off. Momo Sissoko is suspended, Cristiano Zanetti is injured.

Keep an eye on: Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina) – Freed from Milan, the talented hitman is ready to return to his devastating best in a dangerous duo with Mutu.

Last season: Fiorentina 1-1 Juventus

Form guide: Fiorentina (- - - - -) Juventus (- - - - -)

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Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Zauri, Gamberini, Kroldrup, Vargas; Kuzmanovic, Melo, Montolivo; Jovetic, Mutu, Gilardino

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Grygera, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Poulsen, Marchisio, Nedved; Trezeguet, Del Piero

Ref: To follow…

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EL LODDZ

I REALLY THINK IT WILL BE AN EXCITING DRAW. PROBABLY 1-1

**Mahdiano**

I'd like 2 see Viola walk out with 3 points
the bad news r that Mutu may miss this game

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DV7 · Number of posts: 124 Location: Abu Dhabi Registration date: 2008-08-23

Mutu will miss the game, so that's 50% of their team out Very Happy

EL LODDZ · Last edited by EL LODDZ on Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:41 am; edited 1 time in total

BUT STILL THEY WILL BE PLAYING HOME AND I DONT THINK IT WILL BE AN EASY GAME FOR THE JUVENTUS.

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EL LODDZ

**Mahdiano**

DV7 wrote:

Mutu will miss the game, so that's 50% of their team out Very Happy

BTW Mutu definatly is their key player n most important one but it can never be up to 50%
Fiorentina did a great job to find depth for the team durin the transfer market n they r well covered in every single position and either Pazzini or Osvaldo will step in for Mutu n i think any of them will do great although i prefare Pablo Osvaldo 2 start.

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Joe

I'm worried about Gilardino. He is one hell of a striker who just didn't get his chance at Milan.
But I'm still hopeful Juventus can handel Fiorentina and can even manage a win.

DV7 · Number of posts: 124 Location: Abu Dhabi Registration date: 2008-08-23

Marchisio looked good yesterday in the UCL qualifiers, he'll get to start alongside Poulsen since Sissoko is banned.

Joe

Yeah.. Thats why Sissoko didnt start yesterday.. Ranieri wanted to try the pair... Turned out great

**Mahdiano**

Marchisio will add more creativity than Sissoko

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Zein

Joe wrote:

I'm worried about Gilardino. He is one hell of a striker who just didn't get his chance at Milan.
But I'm still hopeful Juventus can handel Fiorentina and can even manage a win.

I wish Gilardino could score. Gilardino got his chance at Milan but he couldn't score many goals as the fans was expecting him to score more.Last season he played 30 matches scoring 7 goals only!! .At the end of the season, Inzaghi was fantastic so Carlo Ancelotti had no choice.

Zein

I think it will be a draw 1-1.

bayern22

2-1 for juve

**Mahdiano**

Fiorentina has 3 top left backs so i wonder which one they will use on Sunday
Zauri , Vargas or Pasqual ???

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**Mahdiano**

Trezeguet is injured and out of the match , he just picked up the injury in florence 2day.
so this means Amauri-Del Piero in the front line for sure

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