Serie A 1st week : Fiorentina vs 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…

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

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

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

DV7 wrote:

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

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.

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.

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

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

Marchisio will add more creativity than Sissoko

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.

I think it will be a draw 1-1.

2-1 for juve

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

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

Ranieri loses Trez in Florence

Saturday 30 August, 2008
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David Trezeguet is out of Sunday’s showdown with Fiorentina, joining a growing injury list. “The tests never end,” sighs Claudio Ranieri.

Juventus already had to do without Cristiano Zanetti, Marco Marchionni, Giorgio Chiellini and the suspended Mohamed Sissoko.

Pavel Nedved has recovered from a knock to the ankle to feature on the week of his 36th birthday, but Trezeguet’s right knee problem has flared up again and he won’t even make the trip.

“I had rested him for the second leg of the Champions League preliminary round, but he said he still feels pain, so it’s best to let him recover fully and have him fully prepared in two weeks,” explained the Coach.

“We’re not lacking in alternatives and this is precisely why we signed Amauri over the summer. I’ve always said I have four first choice strikers.”

The Brazilian is a contender to start alongside Alessandro Del Piero in Florence, although Vincenzo Iaquinta has also shown good form.

“The difference between them is that Amauri helps the team to move up the field, whereas Iaquinta is better at attacking the space. Our style remains the same whoever I pick, so I never want to cage the creative talents in the final third.”

Juve are back in Europe and open their Serie A season against old rivals Fiorentina, who also returned to the continental stage this week.

“We are facing a team who went through the Champions League preliminary round and therefore has the same basic fitness levels as we do.

“The Scudetto race will have the same sides as last season, with the added bonus of a reinforced Milan,” continued Ranieri.

“I place Fiorentina among the contenders, who already proved last year they could handle Serie A and the UEFA Cup commitments.

“The Della Valle brothers have revived this club from Serie C2 to a top team. Their philosophy has always been about fair play and respect for opponents. I hope it will be an attractive and entertaining game, that the fans come to cheer on their teams and may the best side win.”

Originally the Juve fans were banned from travelling to Florence for this clash, as the intense rivalry has caused problems in the past, but the authorities decided to put some faith in the supporters for the new season.

The Bianconeri finished third last term after promotion from Serie B and their fans are demanding a return to the top of the table.

“Are we the anti-Inter squad? We’re working on it and building to be on a par with the best teams in Europe.”

They face a tough test to get past the first round of the Champions League, having drawn Real Madrid, European Super Cup winners Zenit and Bate Borisov.

“We already knew Zenit were strong even before seeing them beat Manchester United last night. They have the right quality and determination, playing a 4-3-3 which effectively allows them to defend with five men, as they all move forward and back in unison.”

Juventus squad: Buffon, Mellberg, Salihamidzic, Amauri, Iaquinta, Del Piero, Nedved, Chimenti, Manninger, Knezevic, Camoranesi, Poulsen, Marchisio, Giovinco, Grygera, Ekdal, Molinaro, De Ceglie, Tiago, Legrottaglie

I don't think it will affect them much, as clinical as Trez is Juve have more than capable strikers as subs.

DV7 wrote:

I don't think it will affect them much, as clinical as Trez is Juve have more than capable strikers as subs.

yea i think so
Juve have Amauri n Iaquinta 2 step in for Tre-is-gay

Yep they are more than capable of scoring. At least more than Ibra-homo-bitch. Right mahdy?

Joe wrote:

Yep they are more than capable of scoring. At least more than Ibra-homo-bitch. Right mahdy?

dont try 2 copy me Joe
it will never be as good as Tre-is-gay

EL LODDZ wrote:

Joe wrote:

Yep they are more than capable of scoring. At least more than Ibra-homo-bitch. Right mahdy?

YOU HAVE GOT TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR THIS ITS REALLY FUNNY.

no that wasnt funny

Thanks Loddz
No need to get angry mahdy. just a joke
Anyway I heard both Iaquinta and Amauri will start with Del Piero on the bench.

Joe wrote:

Thanks Loddz
No need to get angry mahdy. just a joke
Anyway I heard both Iaquinta and Amauri will start with Del Piero on the bench.

this is goin 2 be the 1st time to c this partnership Joe if it's true.

And I hope it doesn't happen. Amauri-Del Piero is my preference.