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Prandelli Content

Prandelli: Pleased for the victory and the fine play

These are the words of Viola coach Cesare Prandelli in the post-match press conference.  "The boys gave all they had.   We encountered a squad that could put us in great difficulty, even in the attacking phase.  We did well in our build up and to overcome the effects of fatigue."

"Even after we took the lead we continued to look for our second goal.  There were some stretches in the second half where we lacked clarity but it was a very well-played match by Fiorentina.  We did very nice work in switching our play from one flank to another and, in the second half, did very well to control and slow down the tempo."

"Vieri played very well and Pazzini played a fine match after coming on.  They are all important to our cause and we are working on a squad turnover in view of the upcoming matches.  Frey was brave when he needed to be as the ball was slippery.  Sebastien is one of the best around and is always consistent.  He his still has room to improve even if he always makes the important saves."

My take -- The match ended 1-0 with Vieri netting the goal. 

Semioli's Thoughts

Semioli: Sunday will be special as I am a Granata

He was the biggest signing of the Viola summer transfer market.  His solid performances are repaying the hard work of Corvino and Prandelli who were tracking his exploits for two years.  Franco Semioli began by talking about Thursday's UEFA Cup match with Groningen.

On the match with Groningen...

"We should not look past this match.  The away goal was important but we cannot let our guards down.  They will be looking to attack and score.  We will attack and we need to focus on what we need to do.   They are a good away side and we should not underestimate them.  The 1-1 in the first leg was a good result as it puts us in a position to advance even with an 0-0 draw but we are aiming to win this match.  The attitude that Prandelli wants us to have is no different from any other match.  We want to put on a good show, especially as we are at home."

On his Granata heart...

"I would prefer a goal against Juventus on Sunday.  Being that I have always been a Granata, scoring in my own personal derby would be the greatest.  In Firenze it is obvious that this is a very emotional match and this will give us even more motivation to do well.  Juventus has gone through many changes but they are still loaded with champions who can take the others onto their backs and motivate them to do well.  It is a squad that knows how to win, as we saw in the derby."

On the turn-over...

"We are loaded.  The roster is large but we have a lot of matches to play so this is a positive thing.  We will all get our chances.  Even when one of us must miss an important match, such as the UEFA one, we will still get another chance."

On Fiorentina's winning attitude...

"We have begun the season well.  Away to Milan the fact that we got a draw, and nearly a win, was a very good sign.  We showed that we can play with the best.  Against Roma we had the upper hand in the first half.  This team has the right mentality.  It's a very good group."

On the Azzurri...

"I haven't thought about it and don't plan to think about it.   If it happens I will be pleased but right now I am only thinking of playing here."

Gobbi Is No Gobbo

Gobbi: Ready for UEFA Cup and my namesakes on Sunday

Livorno-Fiorentina is in the books and Massimo Gobbi is now focused on the squad's next two matches.  First Thursday against Groningen at the Artemio Franchi and then Sunday against Juventus, also to be played on friendly ground.

"It was a good performance across the board at Livorno.  We showed that we are in good form at the moment.  It felt good to end the drought at the Picchi but the main thing was to play well."

On the turn-over...

"When one of us does not get as much playing time as we want it just gives us reason to work harder during the week to earn a starting spot.   There are plenty of matches and everyone will have his chance to shine.  That was demonstrated at Livorno.  I'm satisfied with how I played at the Picchi and I hope to maintain it."

On his role...

"Where I played on Saturday is where I am most accustomed to playing.  Over the last few seasons I have always played there except for on a few occasions."

On his fitness...

"I took a knock to the thigh and I did get fatigued but nothing serious.  I was displeased because I was feeling good and I wanted to play the entire 90 minutes but I do understand these things."

On his two misses...

"I never really got my foot onto the first one.  On the second I was unfortunate to hit the post."

On the Groningen match...

"This is a very important week but before we think to Sunday we must prepare ourselves for Thursday.   Groningen is a very combative squad .  We need to think back to the first leg and the fine match that they played.  If we approach the match with great character then we will pass the round.  There is a lot riding on the Cup.  If we can pass this round then we will begin playing the big sides."

On Osvaldo...

"I am very happy for him.  We have all seen that he is a young man with a lot of quality.  It pleases me to see a young player score twice on his Serie A debut.  I hope that he can continue down this road."

On the standings...

"We are proud of our league position and I'm telling you that we are working very well together.  We cannot focus on the table, though.  We need to get through this stretch of matches playing as well as we possibly can."

On Sunday.  Gobbi versus the Gobbi...

"I have always been anti-Juve.  I have never been their fan.  I don't think that my family name is a problem but more of a stimulus to the Viola fans to know that they have a Gobbi on their side."

My take -- Old Massimo doesn't get much hype around here, so why not?

Explanation -- It just dawned at me that some may not know the background of calling Juventus "i gobbi."  In Italian it means "the hunchbacks."  Hunchbacks are a symbol of good luck (yeah, my wife doesn't get it either) in Italy so Juventus is commonly referred to as the Gobbi because they have so often been the benefactors of very "lucky" calls by the referees.

Pazzini Ready For The Season To Begin

Pazzini: I want to show my worth

Thursday's press conference was with one of the key players for the upcoming season, Giampaolo Pazzini.  The Tuscan attacker spoke of his recently-signed contract renewal.

"I'm satisfied with prolonging it.  It was just made official but I had decided to do it, and said as much, some time ago; conscious of the faith that the society and Prandelli have in me.  They know that I will reward that trust."

On the coming season...

"Sunday we will be looking for a beautiful victory.  It will not be easy because Empoli will be a difficult opponent.  They are a tight-knit group and able to make things difficult for any squad.  It is fundamental for us to have a good start as it would lift our morale.  The start of our season will be difficult as we play three of the big clubs and three derbies in the first six matches."

On his condition...

"I'm still not one-hundred percent.  That's ok, though, as there is a long season ahead.  My condition will come as I play matches."

On his 'mentor' ...

"Bobo Vieri wants to do well.  He is a very good teammate as he knows how to be part of the group.  I get along very well with him."

On his new responsibilities post-Toni...

"There has been too much talk about me ahead of the season.  Right now all I want to do is get on the field.  During the friendlies our primary focus was on our movements and style of play.  Goals are great but not as great as team victories.  Toni has left and that is a shame but it is now time for us to go down our own road."

No Worries For Montolivo

Montolivo: This will be my season

One of Italian soccer's most promising talents, Riccardo Montolivo, answered questions from the press Tuesday with Sunday's season opener against Empoli looming.

On Sunday's match with Empoli...
"I have a very good feeling about it.  We really want to begin this season as we finished the last one.  We're ready."

On the rigors of the summer training camps...
"We are prepared to cover for the players that we are missing due to injury.  We are not worried.  I arrived 10 days after my teammates but now I am in shape.  I'm not so far behind them.  This first match I will need to monitor my condition."

On the change in formation with Donadel and  Montolivo alone in the center...
"Some things will be slightly different but the style of play will be the same.  We've worked long and hard on it and we do not expect any problems."

On the Empoli and Fiorentina midfields...
"We have not studied Empoli, as of yet.  For now we are thinking only of what we need to do."

On Montolivo's coming of age...
"I am maturing as a player and I want to show that I can continue at the level I reached last season.  I would also like to score more goals than I did last season."

On the Azzurri...
"It is dependent upon my on-the-field performances as they will speak for me.  I'm hoping that this will be my season.  I am confident that I will do well; I have a lot of faith in myself."

On Fiorentina being a work in progress...
"I'm not so sure.  We have worked very hard but now we are calm.  We have not played at our best in the friendlies but that's normal."

On being a midfield general and destroyer at the same time...
"Just as last season.  I'm not afraid of the new role."

On Fiorentina without Toni...
"I think that we'll make up the goals through the midfielders.  Then there is Pazzini who will get his, of that I am sure."

On Cacia...
"I have only seen him on TV.  He's a quality player who has shown that he deserves to be playing in Serie A."

On being the leader of the Viola Linea Verde...
"I have been here for three years so I think that I can advise them.  A leader, though, is chosen by the group; not in a press conference."

On Prandelli's high expectations (of Montolivo)...
"I'm very proud that he holds me in such high regard even if I already know my own abilities."

My take -- Montolivo's philosophizing is beginning to grow on me, actually.  I'd much rather have his strong, silent type attitude than someone like Cassano; even if the latter's would be more fun to write and read about.

Explanation -- Linea Verde or Green Line refers to Fiorentina's youth movement.