Complete Lack Of Killer Instinct; Bologna 2-1 Fiorentina

Fiorentina waste a goal from Adem Ljajic and come from ahead to lose, once again giving away a great chance to move up in the standings. Fiorentina continue to waste go- ahead goals and show lack of concentration on the road. That will not get it done in this league.

Ljajic had started the scoring before the half hour mark with a nice hookup from Guilio Migliaccio, playing for David Pizarro, to Alberto Aquilani, who served a perfect ball to the young Serb, who made no mistake.

Fiorentina, however, increasing sat back and allowed Bologna to come at them, barely hanging onto the lead and nearly allowing the home squad to tie it up before the half.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella, was unable to make an impression at the half and Bologna continued to press, and Bologna tied up the match 13 minutes into the second half as Juan Cuadrado fouled Archimede Morleo just outside the box on the left wing, picking up a yellow card in the process, which means the winger will miss the next match against Chievo.

Bologna didn't waste the opportunity, as Alessandro Diamanti served a perfect ball to an unmarked Marco Motta for the header. Fiorentina's defense was absent on the play.

Bologna closed out the match with only 6 minutes left in the half, as a failed clearance fell to Lazaros Christodoulopoulos and he put the shot past Viviano.

Luca Toni had a chance late with a header in front of the net, but he put it over the top and the collapse was complete.

Fiorentina had more possession, 56% to 44%, out shot Bologna, 17 to 14, but only had 3 shots on goal, compared to 6 on net for the home team.

Report Cards

Viviano(6)- neither goal was his fault and he saved a couple of other chances as well.
Tomovic(4.5)- horrible match. he gave up the ball that savic eventually gave away for the second as well
Rodriguez(5.5)- neither goal was his fault, played well and had some good defensive plays
Savic(4.5)- poor clearance led to the second goal.
Pasqual(5)- supposed to be the fourth defensive man but rarely played back there. Is not an offensive force, or wasn't today, so what's the point. i just want this season to be over so someone else can take his place, as obviously, they're never going to replace him this season. he had one successful cross and 4 failed crosses. I don't care how loyal he is. I absolutely detest him.
Aquilani(5)- had the assist on the loan goal, but didn't seem to come out of the locker room at half time. cannot recall seeing him in the action at all in the second half. he was injured early, maybe that's why he disappeared.
Migliaccio(5)- got teh ball to aquilani for the viola goal, but left him man open for the first Bologna goal. will be glad to see pizarro back next week
valero(5.5)-disappeared in the second half. sat back with the rest of the squad and did not stick to the game plan
Cuadrado(5.5)- hit the post on a wide open shot and stupidly gave up the foul that the first goal came from, also picked up a yellow that disqualifies him for next match.
Jovetic(5)-another step back, never dangerous, invisible for much of the match. he needs to step up, still
Ljajic(6)-only player that seemed to want to attack. scored the goal and took another long range shot,


Montella(5)- he seriously needs to address this issue about settling for one goal, letting teams back into matches and not staying to the game plan. The teams road woes are also very disturbing, something about what the squad is doing on the road is not working and that's directly at his feet. I can't even count the lost points on the road. This team could be fighting for first or second place without these constant road failures.

Yellow Cards

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 *)

Pizarro (12)
Roncaglia (8)
Cuadrado (8) * - misses next match
Rodriguez (6)
Migliaccio (4)
Jovetic (3) - one game suspension on the next card.
Tomovic (3) - one game suspension on the next card.
Valero (3) - one game suspension on the next card.
Aquilani (3) * - one game suspension on the next card.
Ljajic (2)
Pasqual (3) - one game suspension on the next card.
Savic (3) - one game suspension on the next card.
Toni (2)
Fernandez (1)
Viviano(1)

Looking Ahead

Chievo at the Franchi, without Juan Cuadrado. David Pizarro will be back, but 6 more Viola will be on yellow card warning. A yellow card for Tomovic, Savic, Pasqual, Aquilani, Valero or Jovetic will mean they miss the Lazio match.

Sunday March 3 9:00 ET Fiorentina v Chievo Verona
Sunday March 10 3:45 ET Lazio v Fiorentina
Sunday, March 17 10:00 ET Fiorentina v Genoa
Saturday, March 30 10:00 ET Cagliari v Fiorentina
Sunday, April 7 9:00 ET Fiorentina v AC Milan
Sunday, April 14 9:00 ET Atalanta v Fiorentina

Quotes

Montella:

“We are very bitter, as we were unable to bring home the result, even managing to lose,” said the Coach.

“The goals came from mistakes, which were small but consecutive, and that is not good enough for a team that wants to aim high.

“We had controlled the game. We always want to give our best, but we have to understand whether this really is our best.”

“We are creating a new mentality, but that shouldn’t take responsibility off our shoulders. The lads show they have quality, but they lack consistency.

“A victory tonight would’ve meant a great deal, but now we have to get back on track. It’ll take time to form a winning mentality, but tonight it’s only to be expected we go to bed feeling bitter.”

“We always expect him (Juan Cuadrado) to come up with something, but he ought to waste less energy, because he pays for that in terms of sharpness in front of goal. He can still get much better and it is my duty to help him, because his talent has not been fully expressed.”

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