Viviano: Staying at Fiorentina was the right decision

Emiliano Viviano has revealed his happiness at staying at Fiorentina despite being out of the team and being linked with moves away, after he regained the first-team spot last weekend.
The former Inter goalkeeper was dropped earlier in the campaign through injury and then struggled to take his place back from Norberto Neto but the diehard Viola fan is glad he remained.
He told SportMediaset: “During my career I have always been used to playing without ever being on the bench so it is normal that I was missing being out on the field.
“Obviously I made my comments but the club then made me realise that staying was the right decision.”
The player, whose contract is 50% owned by Palermo, also denied any rumours of a conflict with boss Vincenzo Montella.
“I have never had any problem with the coach and after all the history that I have with Florence it seemed only right that I would continue and some of the comments I have made are only because I am bothered when a game does not go in our favour.”

Rossi a gamble too far?

“It is not just a moment of joy for our fans, but a gift we wrapped up for all of Italian football,” Fiorentina President Andrea Della Valle told reporters last week. “We are happy to have brought a great talent like Giuseppe Rossi back to Italy.”
The return of the 25-year-old to Serie A has been greeted with great fanfare by supporters of the Viola and neutrals alike. The Azzurri international is undoubtedly one of the best, most promising strikers in Europe, and his signing for the Tuscan side shows the heights that they have reached this season.
Under Vincenzo Montella’s stewardship and the left-field transfer dealings of sporting director Daniele Pradè, the Stadio Artemio Franchi side have become one of the most refreshing teams on the peninsula – capable of genuinely challenging for a top three spot. Their attacking, free-flowing football will certainly play into the hands of the former Manchester United man, with the prospect of a Rossi-Stevan Jovetic strike partnership already whetting the whistles of many.
As the New Jersey-born forward has explained, it’s that brand of play that enticed him to Tuscany. “I would have made this move sooner, even last summer,” he stated at his presentation. “I’m happy to be at Fiorentina. They are the only side who came forward with facts and not just with words. That was very important to me.
“I like the Viola project a lot. I want to be a part of it. There are many youngsters here, but also players of experience. And we all know that Fiorentina are playing the best football in Italy. I can’t wait to start playing alongside Jovetic and Luca Toni, great players.”
The Parma youth product may be saying all the right words in public, but for fans and administrators at the club there is still a huge elephant in the room.
€12m may look like a bargain for a striker who seems to have it all – pace, intelligent movement, vision and a calm serenity in front of goal. But the last time anyone saw those qualities in action was October 2011. Two knee ligament injuries in the space of 18 months have completely curtailed his career, so much so that it was unclear at one point whether Rossi would ever return.
Of course, players all over the world have made a comeback from this notorious injury – Michael Essien, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Alan Shearer have all returned from cruciate tears to re-commence their careers. However, injuring the same ligament in the same knee twice in such a short space of time is of huge concern. And as he explains, there is still no real target as to when he will step back on to a pitch. “I don’t have a particular date in mind for my return,” he said. “My knee is stable right now, but it needs strengthening and it can’t be rushed. I hope to get back to full fitness as soon as possible so that I can play for the Viola fans. Things are going well.”
Reports claim that the end of March could be a realistic date for his debut, but it would be churlish and frankly empty-headed to suggest that Rossi can immediately come in and make a difference to the Gigliati’s season.
A more accurate representation of his value to the side can really only be gleaned next season, where we will see if all the hours of rehabilitation and gym work have paid off.
There is absolutely no questioning Rossi’s quality as a striker – 82 goals in 192 matches for Villarreal shows he can do it. But the question remains, is €12m is too big a gamble for a man who hasn’t played any football for a year and a half?
If there was any place more apt to resurrect your career, the Renaissance city of Florence is it.

SERIE A TOP SCORERS 2012-13

18 - Cavani E. (Napoli),
15 - El Shaarawy S. (Milan),
14 - Di Natale A. (Udinese),
11 - Osvaldo P. (Roma),
10 - Gilardino A. (Bologna), Klose M. (Lazio), Lamela E. (Roma), Pazzini G. (Milan),
9 - Hamsik M. (Napoli), Jovetic S. (Fiorentina),
8 - Denis G. (Atalanta), Hernanes A. (Lazio), Milito D. (Inter), Sau M. (Cagliari), Totti F. (Roma),
7 - Belfodil I. (Parma), Bergessio G. (Catania), Bianchi R. (Torino), Borriello M. (Genoa), Icardi M. (Sampdoria), Palacio R. (Inter), Paloschi A. (Chievo), Quagliarella F. (Juventus), Toni L. (Fiorentina),
6 - Cassano A. (Inter), Diamanti A. (Bologna), Giovinco S. (Juventus),
5 - Amauri C. (Parma), Gabbiadini M. (Bologna), Gomez A. (Catania), Ilicic J. (Palermo), Immobile C. (Genoa), Matri A. (Juventus), Miccoli F. (Palermo), Pirlo A. (Juventus), Rodriguez G. (Fiorentina), Vidal A. (Juventus), Vucinic M. (Juventus),
4 - Aquilani A. (Fiorentina), Barrientos P. (Catania), Bonaventura G. (Atalanta), Calaio' E. (Siena), Candreva A. (Lazio), Castro L. (Catania), Destro M. (Roma), Guarin F. (Inter), Inler G. (Napoli), Insigne L. (Napoli), Kone P. (Bologna), Lodi F. (Catania), Maggio C. (Napoli), Marchisio C. (Juventus), Muriel L. (Udinese), Pellissier S. (Chievo), Pogba P. (Juventus), Sansone N. (Parma), Thereau C. (Chievo), Weiss V. (Pescara),
3 - Angella G. (Udinese), Bertolacci A. (Genoa), Bojan P. (Milan), Cambiasso E. (Inter), Celik M. (Pescara), Cerci A. (Torino), Dybala P. (Palermo), Eder C. (Sampdoria), El Hamdaoui M. (Fiorentina), Floccari S. (Lazio), Florenzi A. (Roma), Jankovic B. (Genoa), Lichtsteiner S. (Juventus), Maresca E. (Sampdoria), Mauri S. (Lazio), Maxi Lopez G. (Sampdoria), Nene' A. (Cagliari), Reginaldo F. (Siena), Roncaglia F. (Fiorentina), Valdes J. (Parma),
2 - Abbruscato E. (Pescara), Almiron S. (Catania), Andreolli M. (Chievo), Arevalo Rios E. (Palermo), Asamoah K. (Juventus), Balotelli M. (Milan), Bogdani E. (Siena), Brighi M. (Torino), Carmona C. (Atalanta), Cigarini L. (Atalanta), D'ambrosio D. (Torino), Danilo L. (Udinese), Dessena D. (Cagliari), Gazzi A. (Torino), Giorgi L. (Palermo), Kucka J. (Genoa), Legrottaglie N. (Catania), Maicosuel R. (Udinese), Marquinho M. (Roma), Meggiorini R. (Torino), Montolivo R. (Milan), Munari G. (Sampdoria), Nainggolan R. (Cagliari), Nocerino A. (Milan), Paci M. (Siena), Pandev G. (Napoli), Paolucci M. (Siena), Parolo M. (Parma), Pereyra R. (Udinese), Pinilla M. (Cagliari), Pinzi G. (Udinese), Pjanic M. (Roma), Poli A. (Sampdoria), Ribeiro T. (Cagliari), Rigoni M. (Genoa), Robinho R. (Milan), Rosi A. (Parma), Rosina A. (Siena), Santana M. (Torino), Savic S. (Fiorentina), Stoian A. (Chievo), Terlizzi C. (Pescara), Valiani F. (Siena), Vergassola S. (Siena),
1 - Basha M. (Torino), Basta D. (Udinese), Biabiany J. (Parma), Biava G. (Lazio), Birsa V. (Torino), Bjarnason B. (Pescara), Boateng K. (Milan), Borja Valero I. (Fiorentina), Bradley M. (Roma), Brienza F. (Palermo), Budan I. (Palermo), Burdisso N. (Roma), Caceres J. (Juventus), Cannavaro P. (Napoli), Caprari G. (Pescara), Casarini F. (Cagliari), Cascione E. (Pescara), Castan L. (Roma), Cherubin N. (Bologna), Chivu C. (Inter), Cofie I. (Chievo), Conti D. (Cagliari), Costa A. (Sampdoria), Coutinho P. (Inter), Cruzado R. (Chievo), Cuadrado J. (Fiorentina), D'agostino G. (Pescara), De Jong N. (Milan), De Luca G. (Atalanta), Di Michele D. (Chievo), Domizzi M. (Udinese), Dzemaili B. (Napoli), Ederson H. (Lazio), Ekdal A. (Cagliari), Emanuelson U. (Milan), Emeghara I. (Siena), Estigarribia M. (Sampdoria), Galloppa D. (Parma), Gamberini A. (Napoli), Gastaldello D. (Sampdoria), Giaccherini E. (Juventus), Glik K. (Torino), Gonzalez A. (Lazio), Granqvist A. (Genoa), Guarente T. (Bologna), Jonathas C. (Pescara), Konko A. (Lazio), Krsticic N. (Sampdoria), Lazzari A. (Udinese), Ledesma C. (Lazio), Ljajic A. (Fiorentina), Lopez N. (Roma), Lucarelli A. (Parma), Luciano S. (Chievo), Marchese G. (Catania), Marchionni M. (Parma), Merkel A. (Genoa), Mesto G. (Napoli), Migliaccio G. (Fiorentina), Moralez M. (Atalanta), Nelson A. (Palermo), Neto L. (Siena), Obiang P. (Sampdoria), Paglialunga M. (Catania), Palladino R. (Parma), Pasqual M. (Fiorentina), Pasquale G. (Udinese), Pasquato C. (Bologna), Peluso F. (Atalanta), Pereira A. (Inter), Perrotta S. (Roma), Pisano E. (Genoa), Pisano F. (Cagliari), Pizarro D. (Fiorentina), Portanova D. (Bologna), Pozzi N. (Sampdoria), Quintero J. (Pescara), Raimondi C. (Atalanta), Ranegie M. (Udinese), Ranocchia A. (Inter), Romulo O. (Fiorentina), Samuel W. (Inter), Sansone G. (Torino), Sayd A. (Genoa), Sestu A. (Siena), Sgrigna A. (Torino), Sneijder W. (Inter), Sorensen F. (Bologna), Spolli N. (Catania), Stendardo G. (Atalanta), Stevanovic A. (Torino), Tachtsidis P. (Roma), Taider S. (Bologna), Togni R. (Pescara), Vukusic A. (Pescara), Zaccardo C. (Parma), Ze' Eduardo J. (Siena)

Baggio: 'FIGC project a failure'

Former Fiorentina player Roberto Baggio has angrily terminated his job with the FIGC. “I am leaving because they haven’t allowed me to work.”
The Divine Ponytail was brought in after the 2010 World Cup as part of a renewal process and given the role of President of the Technical Sector.
He was meant to help revamp the youth team process to create more home-grown talent.
“I am leaving because they haven’t allowed me to work,” slammed Baggio on the TG1.
“I don’t care about keeping seats of power. I tried to perform the role that had been given to me, to renew the foundations of football training from children to teenagers in order to grow good players.
“I was not allowed to do this and am no longer prepared to carry on. I presented my project in December 2011. It was a 900-page plan and remained a dead letter.
“As President of the Technical Sector, I had no right to vote in the Federation meetings and there was no point going to meetings that had nothing to do with my work.
“For example, when I presented this plan I spent five hours waiting outside to then have a 15-minute presentation.
“The FIGC had set aside €10m for this project and I am grateful to President Giancarlo Abete for what he has done, but so far I have not received any funds to proceed. It all remained on paper.
“This is why I must sadly say goodbye. Is it definitive? I love football and my country, so I remain ready for any interesting proposal.”

Brocchi's career over?

Former Viola Player , Cristian Brocchi’s career could be over after he was told he needs surgery for dislocated bones in his foot.
The 37-year-old midfielder, who was already out for almost a year due to a recurring ankle problem, was taken down by a Francelino Matuzalem tackle in Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Genoa.
“We performed tests that showed two small infractions to the first and second metatarsal, plus a dislocation to the third metatarsal,” chief medic Roberto Bianchini told Lazio Style Radio.
“For the dislocation he will undergo a small surgical procedure to reduce it tomorrow.”
After that operation, doctors will have a better idea of how long Brocchi will be out for, but it’s feared he could be sidelined for three months.

HT: Italy trail in Amsterdam

Jeremain Lens has given Holland the half-time lead, but Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy threatened an Italian equaliser in Amsterdam.
The AmsterdamArena was packed out for this international friendly and both teams fielded a 4-3-3 system. Stephan El Shaarawy partnered Mario Balotelli with Antonio Candreva, while Davide Astori and Davide Santon stepped in to the defence. Louis Van Gaal picked a young side with Robin Van Persie leading the way.
Italy were aiming to avoid a sixth consecutive friendly defeat, as the Nazionale traditionally does not fare well out of competitive games. Their record against the Dutch was of seven wins, seven draws and three defeats. However, none of the victories were in friendlies.
Newcastle United full-back santon was needed straight away to stop Van Persie getting his shot away in the opening five minutes. Moments later Balotelli fell awkwardly with Kevin Strootman landing on him, leading to a nasty cut to the knee, but he was able to continue after treatment.
Gigi Buffon performed an amazing save with his foot to deny Adam Maher from 10 yards after Santon had slipped over to allow a Jeremain Lens cross in.
Buffon needed quick reactions again on Maher’s volley into the ground after Van Persie’s effort was deflected in the box. Moments later, Strootman’s powerful finish was straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
Italy finally went on the attack after 28 minutes, but both Balotelli’s assists for El Shaarawy were crucially intercepted. Balotelli chested down a cross-field Andrea Pirlo pass to fire wide.
Holland took the lead when a Daryl Janmaat cross was not cleared effectively, a shot was charged down and Lens was given far too much time and space to control and score on the volley.
Janmaat proved decisive at the other end, putting Ignazio Abate’s cross out for a corner as El Shaarawy was ready to pounce at the back post.
Balotelli controlled a pass over the top and took one too many touches so his angled drive was charged down for a corner. Abate rolled across from the right for Balotelli, but again there was a decisive interception.
From that corner, El Shaarawy skipped away brilliantly from Ola John with a bit of skill and saw his cross deflected past the near post. Abate again sprung the offside trap and rolled across for Balotelli, but Stefan De Vrij stopped it reaching El Shaarawy.
Holland 1-0 Italy (Half-Time)
Scorers: Lens 33 (H)
Holland: Krul; Blind, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Janmaat; Clasie, Maher, Strootman; Lens, Van Persie, Ola John
Italy: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Astori, Santon; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo; Candreva, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
Ref: Cakir (TUR)

Line-ups: Holland-Italy

Italy have Stephan El Shaarawy, Mario Balotelli and Antonio Candreva leading tonight’s friendly against Holland.
Cesare Prandelli named his starting XI on Tuesday, but left a question mark over whether Candreva or Alessandro Diamanti would take the wide role in the 4-3-3 system.
Lazio man Candreva got the nod to partner new Milan teammates Balotelli and El Shaarawy.
Davide Astori steps in for the injured Giorgio Chiellini and Davide Santon returns, while Daniele De Rossi starts despite his lack of playing time at Roma.
The Azzurri are trying to avoid a record sixth consecutive friendly defeat. Kick-off in Amsterdam is at 19.30 GMT.
Louis Van Gaal has picked a young side and brought in Arjen Robben after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar pulled out with an injury.
Manchester United star Robin Van Persie is the big star in the line-up, though Kevin Strootman is also one to watch.
Holland: Krul; Janmaat, De Vrijm, Martins Indi, Blind; Strootman, Maher, Clasie; Lens, Van Persie, Ola John
Holland bench: Vermeer, Mathijsen, Vlaar, Van Rhijn, Van Ginkel, Guzman, Robben, Kuyt, Vorm
Italy: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Astori, Santon; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo; Candreva, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
Italy bench: De Sanctis, Peluso, Ranocchia, Gastaldello, Nocerino, Verratti, Florenzi, Giaccherini, Diamanti, Osvaldo, Gilardino, Sirigu, Marchetti
Ref: Cakir (TUR)