Fiorentina bounced back from a lack luster performance in Genoa against Sampdoria with an at times dominating effort agaisnt Udinese 2-1 with goals from Juan Cuadrado and Gonzalo Rodriguez, the second on a penalty kick on a foul earned by Cuadrado. In typical Viola style, they had a few moments of less than dominating play and gave up a late goal, but managed to hold on for the win and three big points.
The win, combined with Parma's victory over Napoli leave Fiorentina 9 points back of 3rd place, with 6 league matches to go, and 5 points ahead of Inter and Parma.
Stefan Savic missed the game due to yellow card accumulation, but was ably replaced by Mobido Diakite. Matias Fernandez was unable to make the opening kick and was replaced by Ambrosini, Young Ryder Matos got the start over Matri.
Roster
Cuadrado obvious man of the match with a goal and earning the penalty. Neto with two saves, Diakite played better as did Ambrosini. Rate the player here if you choose
Neto
Tomovic
Rodriguez
Diakite
Pasqual
Aquilani
Pizarro
Ambrosini
Ilicic
Matos
Cuadrado
Subs
Wolski for Ilicic '75
Matri for Matos '78
Anderson for Pizarro '90 +4
Montella -
Quotes
Montella:
"Preparing for one game a week is much different,"
"You can lose sharpness when you play every three days, whereas today in terms of intensity and desire we did much better."
"Borja Valero had a small muscular problem in training and we didn’t want to risk it, so he was rested.
"Juan Cuadrado can play anywhere and if he learned could even be a full-back. With Matos I like his determination, pace and work ethic. He needs to get better in front of the goal, but he has time."
"We are in good position and this was a very important victory to help consolidate fourth place, which I feel we deserve. We struggled recently, but nothing has been decided yet and we want as many points as possible."
Hi Lights
Serie A Goals
(* indicates a goal in this match)
Rossi (14)
Cuadrado (6) *
Valero (5)
Aquilani (4)
Vargas (4)
Fernandez (3)
Gomez (3)
Matri (3)
Rodriguez (3) *
Ilicic (2)
Joaquin (2)
Pizarro (1)
Wolski (1)
Yellow Card Accumulation
(Disqualification of one game after the 4th, 8th, 12th, 15th and the 17th yellow card. Past 17, every yellow card is equivalent to a one-match ban. (Players receiving yellow cards in this match have an *, red cards #)
Rodriguez (12)
Ambrosini (7) - misses match on next yellow
Aquilani (7) - misses match on next yellow
Cuadrado (6)
Pizarro (4)
Savic (4)
Tomovic(4)
Valero (4)
Compper(3) - misses match on next yellow
Matos(3) - misses match on next yellow
Matri (3) - misses match on next yellow
Pasqual (3) - misses match on next yellow
Diakite (2)
Neto (2)
Roncaglia (2)
Wolski (2)
Fernandez (1)
Gomez (1)
Ilicic (1)
Rebic (1)
Rossi (1)
Looking Ahead
A trip to regional rivals Verona, where former player Luca Toni is having a Luca Toni type season, with 16 goals scored. Also getting some playing time for Verona is another old friend, Marco Donadel. Verona are on a 2 game winning streak.
After Verona it's AS Roma coming to town.
Sun Apr 13 9:00 ET Hellas Verona v Fiorentina
Sat Apr 19 9:00 ET Fiorentina v AS Roma
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Bologna v Fiorentina
Sat May 3 2:45 ET Fiorentina v Napoli - Coppa Italia (Final)
Tue May 6 1:00 ET Fiorentina v Sassuolo
Sun May 11 9:00 ET Livorno v Fiorentina
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Fiorentina v Torino
End Of Season
Table
(* - pending results)
Juventus 84
Roma 76
Napoli 64
Fiorentina 55
Inter 50
Parma 50
Lazio 48
Atalanta 46
Hellas Verona 46
Torino 45
Milan 45
Sampdoria 41
Juve
Mon Apr 14 1:00 ET Udinese v Juventus
Sat Apr 19 12:30 ET Juventus v Bologna
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Sassuolo v Juventus
Sun May 4 9:00 ET Juventus v Atalanta
Sun May 11 9:00 ET AS Roma v Juventus
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Juventus v Cagliari
Roma
Sat Apr 12 2:45 ET AS Roma v Atalanta
Sat Apr 19 3:00 ET Fiorentina v AS Roma
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET AS Roma v AC Milan
Sun May 4 9:00 ET Catania v AS Roma
Sun May 11 9:00 ET AS Roma v Juventus
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Genoa v AS Roma
Napoli
Mon Apr 14 3:00 ET Napoli v Lazio
Sat Apr 19 9:00 ET Udinese v Napoli
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Internazionale v Napoli
Sat May 3 2:45 ET Fiorentina v Napoli Coppa Italia Final - Stadio Olimpico
Wed May 6 9:00 ET Napoli v Cagliari
Sun May 11 9:00 ET Sampdoria v Napoli
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Napoli v Hellas Verona
Inter
Sun Apr 13 9:00 ET Sampdoria v Internazionale
Sat Apr 19 9:00 ET Parma v Internazionale
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Internazionale v Napoli
Sun May 4 9:00 ET AC Milan v Internazionale
Sun May 11 9:00 ET Internazionale v Lazio
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Chievo Verona v Internazionale
Parma
Sun Apr 13 6:30 ET Bologna v Parma
Sat Apr 19 9:00 ET Parma v Internazionale
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Cagliari v Parma
Sun May 4 9:00 ET Parma v Sampdoria
Sun May 11 9:00 ET Torino v Parma
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Parma v Livorno
Atalanta
Sat Apr 12 2:45 ET AS Roma v Atalanta
Sat Apr 19 9:00 ET Atalanta v Hellas Verona
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Atalanta v Genoa
Sun May 4 9:00 ET Juventus v Atalanta
Sun May 11 9:00 ET Atalanta v AC Milan
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Catania v Atalanta
Lazio
Mon Apr 14 3:00 ET Napoli v Lazio
Sat Apr 19 9:00 ET Lazio v Torino
Sun Apr 27 9:00 ET Livorno v Lazio
Sun May 4 9:00 ET Lazio v Hellas Verona
Sun May 11 9:00 ET Internazionale v Lazio
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Lazio v Bologna