This time round we are going to finish off our pre-season preparations for the 2010/2011 Serie A campaign. A trip to Reggio Calabria to face Reggina. 26 degrees and a dry pitch welcomed Fiorentina for this pre season clash in deepest southern Italy.
At some point this afternoon I want to introduce Juan Manuel Vargas back into action. Adem Ljaljic and Mario Santana are still out of contention. Goalkeeper Neto is making his first start of this pre season as well as a returning Per Kroldrup. Here is today's line up.
First Half: 90 seconds in and Alberto Gilardino fires past the on-rushing Reggina Goalie to make it 1-0, 5 minutes later Antonio Barilla strikes narrowly wide for Reggina. Corner kick on 25 minutes, taken by Montolivo and headed with gustov into the Reggina net by Natali to make it 2 for La Viola. Reggina hit the bar on 38 minutes after a misjudged corner kick overshot Neto to hit the crossbar. With the last kick of the first half, Per Kroldrup returning from injury smashed home a rebound that came from a poorly cleared corner to make it 3-0.
On come Agyei and Vargas for the second half.
Second Half: Alberto Gilardino has been receiving special attention from the Reggina defenders, this has allowed Alessio Cerci a world of space who makes it 4-0 after breaking free from the scattered Reggina back line. Antonio Cherillo rounds off a wonderful move by Reggina which consisted of 16 passes. 4-1. That is how it finished after a game of keep ball by both teams. Cesare Natali picked up man of the match with a goal to show for it.
I have been drawn against Empoli in the TIM cup third qualifying round on October 27th
Season ticket sales have reached 15,000 and are expected to reach 18,000 by the time the season opener against Udinese comes around.
As Fiorentina arrive at the Ennio Tardini there is a real feeling of togetherness and unity. This team mean business and are we are putting the final pieces of the puzzle together before we mount an assault on Serie A. For the Penultimate game of this pre-season it's a dry 24 degrees as the sun is setting over Parma on this warm Tuesday evening.
First Half: The first 10 minutes are all Fiorentina but no chances, keep ball is the name of the game. The game is then blown wide open when teenage Brazilian Ryder Matos makes the most of Agyei's through ball to fire home. 1-0. Hernan Crespo is the lone striker for Parma and his experience tells. Dribbling past Behrami to cross just an inch to far for Palladino on the far post. Almost 1-1. Ive decided to man mark Crespo since he is the lone striker, so Gamberini has his hands full.....the game descends into an end to end waste of chances, Long shots and mistakes litter the remainder of the first half.
Second Half: Neither goalkeeper had much to do in the second half, a lot of 'back and forth' football until Covic levelled with a minute of normal time to go. Boruc couldn't really do much in between the Viola posts, Covic struck the ball with real velocity from 5 yards out. Final whistle 1-1. Khouma Babacar was dominant in the air today.
My post match talk was one of reassurance to the players, some youngsters needed to realize that this is the standard of opposition that they would need to better week in week out if they wanted to become better players. Next up is a whole different ball game, literally.
The days leading up to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeau was one of focus and excitement, but also a cool composure that the senior players had influenced over the entire team.
My scouts give me a bit of good news to raise squad morale. Kaka, Benzema, Ozil and Garay are all out.
22nd August 2010, Real Madrid vs Fiorentina 17:00 Santiago Bernabeau.
It's a hot 30 degrees in the Spanish capital as we face possibly the world's most glamorous club. So lets look at the team I have put out to face Madrid.
First Half: 2 minutes in and Raul Albiol heads in a Fernando Gago cross to open the afternoons scoring. 20 minutes pass and it's all Fiorentina passing and crossing but to no avail. Gilardino was showing his world class ability, finding space with every blink of the eye. Babacar was dropping deep to help command the link between midfield and the Gilardino. Fiorentina seem to be holding their own against a strong Madrid line up including Di Maria, Alonso and Adebayor.
Second Half: Benzema has been brought on for Madrid and my Fiorentina side seem to be getting more confident as they venture forward. 65 minutes on the clock and Gilardino is played in by wonder kid Babacar and hits the bar. The match is a drab affair in the last 20 minutes, leading to a satisfactory 1-0 loss, but a lot to take away. My players can hold their heads high.....
Stay tuned for my final preperations ahead of the season opener and the first game against Udinese.
PEACE
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