So, here we are. Last match of the CL group stage, with qualification guaranteed for Fiorentina. Liverpool are in the Europa League regardless of the result tonight, and a win for Fiorentina means that they will finish first. It will probably take a win to do this because Lyon are at home against the hapless Hungarians. Still, the boys appear to be pretty excited to take the pitch at the famous Anfield stadium.
Neither side will be fielding a full strength team for this match. Liverpool is weakend by injuries and the fact that Rafa has one eye on the league match against the Gunners this weekend. But, it means that big money glass man Alberto Aquilani will make his first start for the Scousers. It also isn't likely that they'll field either of their big guns Torres and Gerrard and that Reina will probably also be rested. Fiorentina are weakend by injuries (Mutu, Gamberini, Gobbi, Jo-Jo and Vargas starting on the bench), and suspensions (Dainelli out and Donadel on the brink). Does this mean that we could see some Savio? Probably not, I can't remember if he's registered for the CL or not.
Lineups, aka Blind Guess Dept.
Fiorentina: 4-2-3-1: Bassy; Pasqual, Kroldrup, Natali (Gulp), Comotto; Donadel, RickyMonty; Jorgensen, Santana, Marchionni; Gila Monster.
Scousers: All I know is they are playing the same formation as Fiorentina, with Mascherano and Aquliani in the central midfield and the young French striker David Ngog up front.
TeeVee?
Maybe you can find it on the Directeevee if you got it, but it looks like slim pickings. I'm going to be at my office Christmas party so I'm holding out hope they might have it. Because really, who wants to talk to co-workers?
Prediction Time
We did this once already, and the Scousers have no motivation. Gila Monster scores an ugly goal in the first half and Old Man Jorgensen doubles the advantage in the second. 2-0 again.
Forza Viola!