I am posting this preview kinda ‘last minute’ for a number of reasons. One is that I figured it would be lost in all the writing about the Champion’s League over the last few days. But also, frankly, I got a bit caught up in the CL action myself. My favorite club wasn’t playing, but Roma v. Madrid and Arsenal v. Milan were both compelling games.
I hope today’s match between Fiorentina and Rosenborg in the second leg of the UEFA Cup Round of 32 is as good. I also hope, of course, that the Viola win. (A draw would be fine as well.) Fiorentina won the first leg 1-0 and thus have a slim advantage going into today. Coach Cesare Prandelli, however, is taking nothing for granted. He says:
Rosenborg know how to play in a very different style to last week, he stressed.
I have watched them in other competitions and they are capable of overturning this result. I fear their desire and I am trying to get the lads to go in search of a goal to close the tie. We would be wrong to expect to see the same side we faced in Norway and I want us to show the same maturity that Roma did on Tuesday.” (See the full article here.)
By all accounts, Rosenborg are a solid, attacking team (at least that’s what commentators on the internet say: my knowledge of Norwegian football is about an inch deep) so it’s good to hear Prandelli saying the right things and putting out a strong side. On that note…
Probably Starting Line-ups (AKA The Blind Guess Dept.)
Fiorentina: Frey; Ujfalusi, Kroldrup, Dainelli, Pasqual; Donadel, Liverani, Jorgensen; Semioli, Pazzini, Mutu
Rosenborg: Jarstein; Stoor, Kwarme, Demidov, Nordvik; Strand, Tettey, Skjelbred, Konan; Sapura, Koné
Reports seem to indicate that Liverani will play, as will Frey as long as he passes the obligatory “late fitness test.” We will see.
Analysis
Fiorentina should win. They are at home with a loaded lineup and all the motivation in the world to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The club looked fine last weekend and has the added incentive of being up a goal on aggregate, and having it be an away goal to boot.
Prediction
2-0 Fiorentina. C’mon, don’t laugh. I was actually right last weekend.
Be back late tonight or tommorow with the recap.
