Viola... In English!

Genoa - Fiorentina --- Match Preview

Going into this afternoon's match both sides know that they have much to gain by earning all three points.  Fiorentina, still unbeaten in all competitions this season, could go all alone into second with the win and gain two points on first place Inter Milan who dropped points in their draw away to Palermo.  Genoa looks to continue their impressive season in front of their passionate home fans.  They have earned a very creditable 12 of a possible 21 points since the opening round drubbing that AC Milan gave them.

Genoa looks set to go with a 3-4-3.  Despite only playing with three at the back, they have surrendered just 5 league goals since the aforementioned AC Milan match.  Prandelli must find a way to exploit their defensive liabilities while still coping with Genoa's attack.  That attack is led by Marco Borriello who has re-found himself since leaving AC Milan.

Fiorentina's only two players out injured look to be Santana and Gobbi.  Jorgensen and Kuzmanovic do have fitness problems and look set to start on the bench.

Our projected starting 11...

Talking Points

• Fiorentina has only managed 12 wins in 42 matches away to Genoa.  Genoa has won 16 and there have been 14 draws.
• Fiorentina's last win away to Genoa finished 0-3 in the 82/83 season.  Since then Fiorentina have lost 5 and drawn 4 times at the Luigi Ferraris.
• Last season Genoa knocked us out of the Coppa Italia 1-0 in Genova.
• Fiorentina has scored in each of its last 14 official matches.  The Viola have tallied a total of 27 goals during that stretch.  Their last time scoreless was May 6 away to AC Milan.
• Fiorentina has not conceded an away goal in Serie A in its last 243 minutes.  The last one came in the Viola's first away match of the season at AC Milan.
• Genoa has lost only one of its last 19 official matches at home, that being this season's opening match at home to AC Milan.
• Fiorentina has lost only one of its last 26 Serie A matches, that being last season's 0-2 loss at Parma April 18.
• The match will be refereed by Emidio Morganti.
• The high in Genova today is 69°F (21°C) and the low is 57°F (14°C) with a 20% chance of rain.

Fiorentina-Siena --- Match Preview

The Serie A season is back on with a bang following the long international break.  Siena ranks right up there with Juventus in the hearts of Fiorentina fans.  In other words, we hate them.  And not only for being one of Juventus' puppet teams.  The cities of Firenze and Siena fought several wars between the 12th and 16th centuries until 1555 when the Republic of Siena finally met its end at the hands of a largely Florentine army.  Since then the cities have mostly channeled their deep resentments for each other, thankfully, into sport.  Make goals, not war.

Montolivo, especially, did not appreciate the hisses that the three Viola players received Wednesday night in Siena for the Azzurri's friendly win over South Africa.

Fiorentina promises to be at nearly full strength.  Santana, however, is still out injured.  He will be replaced by Semioli who recorded an assist, and could have had another, in only a few minutes of playing time in the aforementioned Azzurri match.  Look for Semioli to do his best to cement his spot in the side.  Prandelli also says that Ujfalusi will not play.  It is expected that Pasqual will start at left back and either Balzaretti or Potenza will get the nod at right back.

Caetano, the Brasilian trequartista co-owned by Siena and Fiorentina, will be out injured.

Our projected starting formation...

Talking Points

• Fiorentina and Siena have played three previous Serie A matches in Firenze.  Fiorentina has won 2 and the other was a draw.  In fact, Siena has never won in Firenze in any division nor in the Coppa Italia.
• Last season's fixture ended 1-0 with Mutu scoring the match's only goal.
• This will mark the first match in which Prandelli and Mandorlini have faced each other.
• Balzaretti, like so many Juventus youth players, played a season for Siena.  Siena has two former Viola players, Manninger and Chiesa (their captain), on their roster.
• October (excepting June with too few matches to count) is Prandelli's most successful month, historically.  His teams average 1.87 points per match played in this month.
• Fiorentina has not lost an official match at home in nearly a year.  The last home defeat came at the hands of Amaur...(oops!) Palermo on October 29, 2007 by a score of 2-3.  Since then the Viola side has recorded 13 wins and 7 draws (counting the Groningen match as a draw).
• Fiorentina has recorded 4 consecutive home draws; Atalanta, Roma, Groningen and Juventus.
• The match will be refereed by Antonio Damato.
• The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of 55°F (13°C) and a low of 50°F (10°C).

Livorno - Fiorentina --- Match Preview

Another Tuscan derby, the second of six, for Fiorentina today as they travel west to face Livorno.  Fiorentina traditionally struggle against these neighbors and fatigue should see a major shake up in the Viola's starting 11.  Mutu will rest and Donadel is suspended.  I'm short on time if I am to get this done before kick-off so I am just sticking to the basics.

Our Projected starting 11.

Talking Points

• This will be the first ever meeting between Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli and Livorno coach Nando Orsi.
• Livorno is still searching for their first official win of the season.  Between Serie A and Coppa Italia they have managed just 3 draws and 3 losses.  Their last official win came 27 May with a 4-2 home win over Atalanta.
• Livorno has scored in 15 of its last 16 home games.  The only match they failed to score in was a 0-0 draw home to Ascoli last season.  Livorno has put in 25 home goals over that stretch.
• Livorno has only managed one clean sheet in its last 9 official home matches.  That one was a 1-0 win over Sampdoria 13 May.
• Over the last 23 weeks of Serie A, stretching deep into last season, Fiorentina has only lost one time.  Only Inter Milan has collected more points over that run.
• It is expected to be cloudy and breezy for the match.  The low in Livorno will be 59° (15°C) and the high will be 72° (22°).

Fiorentina - Roma --- Match Preview

It's showtime!  Today's match at Fortress Franchi will be the toughest match thus far for each squad and have the eye of every Italian soccer fan.  Roma is off to a fantastic start to the season and all alone in first place in the league.  Fiorentina lies in a 3-way tie for second, 2 points off the pace.

Some of the glitz will be lacking for this one as both sides could be without key players.  Francesco Totti has a thigh injury and is not expected to play for Roma.  Simone Perrotta has the flu and will probably not go.  Alessandro Gamberini of Fiorentina also has the flu and may miss this one in favor of Per Kroldrup.  <<As I was about to press -enter- I read that Dainelli could also be injured, I gotta get to work>> This is really the crucial thing.  A Fiorentina back line of Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Dainelli and Pasqual surrendered three goals to Roma at the Olimpico last season.  Insert Gamberini for Kroldrup and Fiorentina surrendered zero goals to Roma in Firenze.  Most will play up Totti's injury but Gamberini's status is the thing to watch for and the most important with regards to this match.

One, not really discussed, possibility is a Fiorentina back line that could see Balzaretti at the right back spot with Ujfalusi brought in to play alongside Dainelli at the center of defense.

The only other likely doubt for Fiorentina in this one is who will start between Semioli and Santana.  It is looking increasingly more likely that Semioli will get the nod.

For Fiorentina it will basically comes down to how well the Viola left can exploit the Roma right.  Mutu and Pasqual should have a clear advantage on that flank and they must capitalize on it and make their chances count.  If Roma can limit the damage from the Viola left then Fiorentina is in a lot of trouble.  If Fiorentina is able to get things rolling down that left side then the Viola could go "Old Trafford" on the wolf-suckers.

Expect a packed house and a rowdy crowd.  Fiorentina has not beaten Roma since returning to the top flight and Roma will aim to keep that run intact.

Datasport's best guess on Fiorentina's starting 11...

In all honesty, it's tough enough to beat with Roma with a healthy back line.  With Gamberini out our only hope would be Ufo in the center with Balzaretti on the right and even that is a stretch.

Talking Points

• Fiorentina has lost only one of its last 22 Serie A matches.
• Fiorentina has not lost at home in its last 16 matches.  The Viola have recorded 13 wins and 3 draws (one of those was last season's 0-0 with Roma) during that stretch.
• Prandelli is seeking his 50th win at the Viola helm in this one.  He has recorded 45 of those wins in Serie A and 4 in the Coppa Italia.  He has recorded 386 draws to go with the 49 wins. (That last part was just a joke... Or was it?)
• Prandelli could also see the 150th Viola goal since his arrival.  Of the 149 scored to date; 135 have come in Serie A, 13 have come in the Coppa Italia and 1 has come in the UEFA Cup.
• The match is being played on the 42nd birthday of Viola president Andrea Della Valle. 
• Fiorentina has won 147 Serie A points while under the ownership of Andrea Della Valle.  A win today would see him reach the 150-point milestone.
• The match will be refereed by Genova-born and Rolex-clad Mauro Bergonzi.
• It will be cloudy with a 20% chance of rain in Firenze.  The high is expected to be 69°F (21°C) and the low tonight at about 53°F (12°).

Groningen - Fiorentina Match Preview

This summer the standard party line from the Viola society brass, in regards to the UEFA Cup, was "we're in it to win it."  It's looking more and more like that will be demonstrated in Thursday's match in Groningen, Holland.

Prandelli (as he always does) plans to field what he considers to be his best available side for the first leg of this first round match-up.

Despite adding depth and versatility in several key areas over the summer, the Viola seem set on sticking with the tried and true players who achieved the goal of returning Fiorentina to European play.

Sebastien Frey looks certain to start between the posts behind a back line with only the left back position in doubt. Pasqual injured his ankle on Sunday and, though he has resumed practicing with the squad, may sit this one out in favor of Balzaretti who made his Viola debut Sunday as Pasqual's replacement.  Balzaretti is considered to be a better defensive fullback than Pasqual but his crossing may not be at Pasqual's level.  He looked comfortable enough in limited duty on Sunday and should be a reliable back up. 

It is looking more and more as if Donadel and Liverani will be two of the stalwarts in the 3-man midfield with the third player yet to be decided.  Montolivo has resumed practicing with the group following his severe ankle sprain suffered in Week 1.  If he is not deemed fit enough to go then Kuzmanovic is his likely replacement ahead of Pazienza and Gobbi.  If Balzaretti does, in fact, get the nod at LB then one would think that Fiorentina could afford to field a pretty creative midfield corps in front of such a defensively-oriented back line.  Especially considering the absence of both of Groningen's first choice attackers.

In attack it all depends on Mutu's recovery from his own ankle sprain.  If Mutu is fit enough to play then he will be at the left wing with Semioli likely on the right.  If Mutu does not start then look for Semioli to take the left flank and Santana to slot into the right wing role.  Up front there are some indications that Vieri could get the center forward nod over Pazzini.  Other reports say that Pazzini will get the nod while Vieri's first Viola start will come Sunday away to Catania.

Below is Fiorentina.it's best guess at the formation Fiorentina will be using.  Note that they have Santana on the right.

Talking Points

• This will be Fiorentina's first European match since losing 0-2 to Lille in 06 December 2001 in the UEFA Cup.
• This match will mark the third time in Fiorentina's history that the club has played a European match on 20 September.  The others were also away from home and include an 0-1 win over Nice in 1967 and an 0-0 draw with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk  in 2001.
• Fiorentina has gone 229 minutes without scoring in European play.  The club's last goal was scored by Domenico Morfeo in Innsbruck against Wacker in 2001.  The Viola were held scoreless over the last 49 minutes of that match and in the next two, both losses, home and away to Lille.
• Fiorentina's last away victory in European play was the 0-1 win over Arsenal at Wembley in 1999. Batistuta was the goal scorer.  Since then the Viola have recorded just 3 draws and 4 losses away from home.
• This will be Fiorentina's first match against Groningen and also its first match against a Dutch squad.
• Groningen's only ever encounters against Italian competition came in the 1983/1984 UEFA Cup.  They lost both matches by an aggregate score of 7-1 to Inter in the UEFA Cup.
• Groningen was eliminated at this stage of last season's UEFA Cup by Partizan Belgrade.  The Dutch side lost 4-3 on aggregate.
• Groningen's last home defeat in European play came in 1991.  Since then they have recorder 4 wins and 4 draws in front of their home fans.
• FC Groningen is known as The Pride of the North or, alternatively, as The Green-White Army.
• Groningen's stadium is known as the Euroborg and holds 19,814 spectators.
• The match will be refereed by a Portuguese crew led by Lucilio Cardoso Cortez Batista. 
• The weather in Groningen is supposed to be partly cloudy in the day with a high of 63°F and to drop to 57°F in the evening.

Fiorentina - Atalanta Match Preview

Atalanta's fine start to the season has just become a lot tougher.  The Bergamo side began the season with a 1-1 draw away to Reggina before a confident 2-0 win at home against Parma.  Their first real test of the season will be a big one; in Firenze against a very confident Fiorentina side.

Atalanta made some nice summer acquisitions, Padoin and Langella will help.  Costinha will help, too, but not tomorrow.  He is expected to miss the match injured.  It is this writer's opinion that Atalanta's biggest, and most detrimental, summer news was losing Colantuono to Palermo.  Del Neri isn't fit to carry Colantuono's clipboard and could never replace him.

Del Neri's side will probably field a 4-4-1-1 with Doni and Zampagna as the strikers and Ferreira Pinto and Langella on the flanks.  Even away from home I expect them to try to attack a lot in an attempt to keep the pressure off of their defense.

This match will have special meaning for many of the Viola.  Prandelli played for Atalanta and managed both their senior side and at the youth level.  Pazzini and Montolivo both came up through the highly-regarded Atalanta youth system.  This match will mark Dainelli's 100th match with us.  He has worn our shirt 90 times in Serie A and 9 times in the Coppa Italia.

Prandelli has stated that he does not want to risk Montolivo and will probably have Riccardo sit this one out.  Santana will probably not play, as well, as Prandelli is playing the prudent role.  If we get a two-goal lead early I would really like to see Vanden Borre make his debut.  More to satisfy my curiosity than anything else.  Same with Balzaretti.  The only difference in our line-up from the AC Milan match will probably be Semioli in Santana's spot with a slight chance that Kuzmanovic will fit in there somewhere.  Projected line-up...

I really expect it to be just another day at the office for the Viola and hope that they can build enough of an early cushion to give some of our subs some valuable field time.

Talking Points

• Fiorentina has lost only one of its past 20 Serie A matches.
• Fiorentina has not lost at home in its last 15 Serie A contests; recording a very impressive 13 wins during this stretch.
• Pazzini has scored 3 times against his former club; making Atalanta (tied with Juventus) his most scored-upon opponent.
• Fiorentina won this same fixture last season 3-1 with two late goals from Pazzini.
• Fiorentina took both matches from Del Neri's Chievo last season.  Each match ended 1 goal to zero.
• Domenico Celi will referee the match.  This will be his first time refereeing a Fiorentina match.
• The high temperature in Firenze is expected to be 80°F (27°C) with a 70% chance of rain.

AC Milan - Fiorentina Match Preview

Two sides, each coming off a first week that saw them go virtually untested, square off Monday night at Milano's San Siro Stadium.  AC Milan romped in giving Genoa a very rude 0-3 welcome back to the top flight.  Friday night they fell behind to Sevilla early before storming back for a 3-1 win in Monaco in the European Super Cup.  Fiorentina comes off a 3-1 win over fellow Tuscans, Empoli, in their home opener.

Milan are, of course, the reigning European champions and really feeling their oats right now.  Last season, not counting each side's Calciopoli deductions, Fiorentina were able to earn 4 more points (73-69) than the Rossoneri.  The key to AC Milan's success, for me, is that they have a very stable roster compared to most clubs.  They only make a couple of notable signings each summer (this summer it was Pato and Emerson) and integrate them into the squad very efficiently.  This method is also their weakness as they have an aging club and, if Fiorentina is going to come away with three points, this must be exploited.

Milan is expected to field a 4-3-2-1 formation with Dida "defending" the net behind a back line of Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze and Jankulovski.   This defense is supplemented by Maldini, Simic, Oddo, Bonera and Favalli.  Milan only surrendered 36 goals last season; good enough for the 5th best defensive record in the league.  They are balanced and deep at the fullback role.  Cafu is a living legend but he is also a 37-year-old living legend and we will need to make him work a lot on our left flank.  Jankulovski, not normally an offensive juggernaut, scored a superb goal in the European Super Cup.  Kaladze is a very solid accompaniment to Nesta in the center of their defense.  The good news is that, once the defense is breached, our only "obstacle" will be Nelson 'The Red Carpet' Dida.  Yeah, I'm not a big fan of his and we really need to put a lot of pressure on him and let him work his magic.

Milan's midfield is really their strength and we can expect to see Pirlo in his deep-lying playmaker role working in tandem with Gattuso and Ambrosini behind the two more attacking midfielders in Kaká and Seedorf.  Pirlo must be harassed lest he carve up the Viola defense.  Kaká is one of the greatest players on the planet but, in truth, he is never as good against Serie A defenses as he is in European play.

Milan's lone, out-and-out, striker is expected to be Ronaldo but if he is not ready then expect Gilardino to get the nod over Inzaghi.   

Ujfalusi will be back from suspension for Fiorentina and Semioli is expected to be fit enough to be available for Prandelli.  Among those absent will be Jorgensen, Balzaretti and Montolivo.  Pazienza will most likely be out, as well, following the injury he picked up on Friday.  These additions and absences make the likely line-up...

Donadel will need to really rise to the occasion as the front three for the Rossoneri are very competent and quick.  Look for Gobbi to also have a very defensive mindset.  I really feel that, with these players on the field for us, our attack could be lacking service.  I'm sure that Ujfalusi will not be rampaging down our right much and it will really be up to only Pasqual and Liverani to support our front three.

Talking Points

• This is the 75th meeting between the two clubs with 10 wins for Fiorentina, 43 wins for AC Milan and 21 draws.
• Our last win against the Rossoneri was a 1-2 affair at the San Siro 17May2001.  Enrico Chiesa scored both of our goals.
• Cesare Prandelli and Carlo Ancelotti have faced each other 11 times with 3 wins for Prandelli, 5 wins for Ancelotti and 3 draws.
• Prandelli's success away to Ancelotti is even worse.  In the 6 matches between the two tacticians where Prandelli's sides are playing away from home, Prandelli has only managed 1 draw and 5 losses.
• Over Milan's last 11 home games they have recorded 9 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw.  The draw came against Fiorentina; a 0-0 affair 06May2007.  That is also the only home game in their last 11, in which AC Milan have failed to score a goal.  Throwing the Fiorentina match out, AC Milan is averaging 2.2 goals per game over those 10 matches.
• Fiorentina enters the match having only lost once in Serie A in their last 19 matches.  12 wins, 6 draws and the April loss away to Parma.
• If Mario Alberto Santana does play it will mark his 100th Serie A appearance.  He has played Serie A soccer for Venezia, Chievo Verona, Palermo and Fiorentina.

I have been getting ready to move all week so have had little time to update the site.  Our actual move is today so I am going to unplug my computer after this.  I probably will not be online again until Monday morning here or Monday early evening in Europe.  Forza Viola!  Ciao.

Fiorentina - Empoli --- Match Preview

                            

The 2007/2008 campaign kicks off with the All-Florentine derby against Empoli.  Both sides qualified for the UEFA Cup last season and both sides play big Milanese sides in the second week and will want max points so as to not risk putting themselves into too much of an early season hole.

Empoli took advantage of a weakened Serie A last season and made the most of their opportunities in over-achieving to grab their UEFA Cup spot.  Their creator in the middle, Sergio Almiron, has moved on to Juventus now and in return Empoli has stocked their pantry with no less than 4 new on-loan arrivals from the Old Lady.  Empoli is very well-coached by Luigi Cagni and, despite some turmoil surrounding Pratali's transfer demands, will work together as a compact team.  Though lacking big-name talent, Empoli has several very capable Serie A quality players.  Some to watch for...

• Andrea Raggi - The Under-21 Italian international will probably start at right back and be tasked with slowing down Adrian Mutu.
• Lino Marzorati - Though a natural right back, the former AC Milan youth product will most likely be starting in the center of defense.   He's a solid defender but, although just as tall as Pazzini,  I think that he will have to play at his best to control Pazzini's aerial game.
• Antonio Buscè - The long-time Empoli veteran will lead what I consider to be a very capable midfield.  When it looked like we were going to field a 4-2-3-1 in this match (more on that further down) Cagni had said that he wanted to use Buscè to exploit Pasqual on our left flank and the interplay between Buscè and Pasqual will be a match-up to keep a close eye on.
• Luca Saudati - The natural left winger will probably be played as a lone striker in front of Ighli Vannucchi.  He bagged 14 league goals last season and Cagni hopes that the player's speed will cause problems for Gamberini and Dainelli.

Fiorentina will be without Semioli, Balzaretti and Jorgensen; all injured.  Lack of depth at the wing will reportedly mean that we will fall back on our 4-3-3 from last season.

Santana is still not in top condition so expect him to be subbed out by Kuzmanovic if he does, in fact, start.  Donadel, unlike Santana, is considered to be 100% and the season opener will see him regain his rightful place as the week-in-and-week-out Viola holding midfielder.  Ujfalusi is suspended for the match so Potenza should get the start but I do expect to see Vanden Borre make his Serie A debut in the second half.

Those interested in what the Italian national team may look like in a few years should be eagerly anticipating this one.  Several of Italy's most promising players are on the rosters.  Marchisio, Giovinco, Raggi, Marzorati, Abate and Pozzi for Empoli.  Pazzini, Montolivo, Donadel, Potenza and Lupoli for the Viola.

Talking Points

• This is the second time that Fiorentina has opened a Serie A season hosting Empoli.  The previous occasion was in 1998 when Fiorentina ran out 2-0 winners with gals from Batistuta and Rui Costa.
• Sunday's match will fall on the birthday for the Viola Club.  81 years ago it was founded when Polisportiva Giovanile Libertas and Club Sportivo Firenze joined forces to become AC Fiorentina.
• Fiorentina enters the match having only lost once in Serie A in their last 18 matches.  11 wins, 6 draws and the April loss away to Parma.
• Fiorentina's last home defeat was 2-3 to Palermo (or should I say, to Amauri) 23 October 2006.  Since then the Viola club has enjoyed 12 wins and only 2 draws at Fortress Franchi.
• Prandelli and Cagni have matched wits 10 times over their careers with Prandelli having won 5, drawn 3 and lost 2.  Prandelli has never lost to Cagni in a home match having recorded 4 wins and 2 draws. 
• Prandelli has only lost once ever to Empoli in 13 matches; recording 8 wins and 4 draws against the Azzurri side in his career.  He has never lost a home match to an Empoli side, recording 5 wins and 2 draws while his teams have always managed at least 2 goals in these encounters.
• Luigi Cagni has coached against Fiorentina 9 times in his career leading his sides to 7 losses and 2 wins.  He has never won, or even drawn, in 5 matches at Fortress Franchi.
• Fiorentina won (and completely dominated) this same fixture 2-0 last season behind goals from Toni and Mutu.  Saudati was out injured for Empoli.
• The referee for the match will be Matteo Trefoloni...  Yeah, the really funky-looking guy with the weird smile.

I am still undecided on what the long-term format for my match previews will be.  Any comment or criticisms would be greatly appreciated.  This article will be the featured article (and will remain at the top of the page) until after the match so make sure to look below it for new content as I will be adding some.

Viola - Empoli: An Early Look

After reading the article on our absences for the opening match I thought I would make a guess as to our starting 11 for the match.  Some of the pieces (Frey, Pazzini, Dainelli, Gamberini, Semioli and Pasqual) are pretty clear.  But the rest?  A bit more cloudy.

The number one question mark, considering Ujfalusi's suspension and Balzaretti's injury, must be right back.  We are playing at home in front of a soccer-starved public so I would throw caution to the wind and go with Vanden Borre but, let's face it, Prandelli never throws caution to the wind.  My guess is that it will be Potenza with the other possibilities being Jorgensen (not totally fit) and Pazienza (out of position, but capable enough).  I do believe that Prandelli considers Vanden Borre a right back; he's said as much; but I do not believe that he trusts Anthony's defensive abilities enough yet.   To my mind Potenza is better on the right than on the left or center but he won't light it up.  He's the safe pick for the right back spot.

That locks up the defense so what of the midfield?  Keep in mind that I am basing this on a 4-2-3-1 formation.  One of the midfielders positioned just in front of the back four will be either Pazienza or Donadel.  That is an absolute watertight guarantee.  First match of the season, at home...  It's too perfect for Donadel not to have his triumphant return. Marco will get the start.  The second central midfield spot will go to one of either Liverani, Montolivo or Kuzmanovic.  Well, not really...  I have chatted with more than one Viola supporter who have watched our side's training sessions in person and believe that Kuzmanovic is hands down the best of the three.  RIGHT NOW!  So what, though?  Prandelli is not at all sold on our ability to score goals yet so, if he is going down, he's going down with the wily veteran.  Liverani should start alongside Donadel in central midfield.

Pazzini will play up front and Mutu will play behind him so all that leaves are the wingers.  One of those will surely be Semioli; a natural right winger who played most of last season on the left.  The other legitimate starters are Kuzmanovic (who would only be on the right, I would think) and Gobbi who would only be on the left.  Prandelli loves Gobbi.  We all know it.  So expect Semioli to start on the right with Gobbi on the left.  Personally, I would have Semioli on the right, Mutu on the left and Montolivo or Kuzmanovic behind Pazzini.

So, here's my prediction...  Let's see just how wrong I can be...

Who Will Miss The Empoli Match?

Fiorentina: Key absences for the season's first match

And so it begins again...  Soccer being played, the quest for the Scudetto and also the absences.  And so, because the pre-season injuries for the Viola side have been  well-documented, Prandelli must make due without several players. 

First, there is Balzaretti, injured during the match between the Viola senior and Primavera sides.  He will not be ready to go for some weeks.  Missing, too, will be Ujfalusi; disqualified during the final match of last season against Sampdoria and forced to miss the opening match at home against Empoli. 

Jorgensen and Santana are not in top condition; though the Dane is much closer to recovery than the ex-Chievo player.   Vieri is still  not match fit and will not be until mid-September; much like Santana who, in his current state, could not play much more than a half. 

In conclusion, a season start that will see Fiorentina in an uphill battle and with an already-shaken confidence following the Bilbao debacle and a summer transfer season that never really took off.  A positive result in the all-Fiorentino derby could raise the standing of the Viola who, yesterday afternoon, were called out by Prandelli in view of the hisses of the start of the season.

My take -- Uhhh...  I don't think we're in nearly as bad of shape as this guy does.  I see missing players as opportunities for others to shine.  Good news through omission...  Nothing about Donadel or Mutu missing the match and that is a very good thing.

Explanation -- It's the all-Fiorentino (Florentine) derby because, not only is Empoli a fellow Tuscan side, but they are also in the province of Firenze and actually less than 20 miles from the city of Firenze.