Viola Overview & Statistics Week 27

It has been two weeks since the last Statistics discussion, Namely before the losses to Lazio at home and Juventus in Turin. The poor form continues, but sparkles of eminent return to winning ways are not dead yet. A very disappointing performance against Lazio was answered with a good enough performance against Juventus keeping the fans hopes up to limit Juventus success to Serie A only. An overview of Fiorentina's performance this season does indeed look better than the last. However, almost every fan agrees that this team could do much better. This argument is for the non-stats guys who are welcome to challenge my opinion on how is Fiorentina now compared to last season.

Positives are:

1. Neto has been sensational and has eliminated all of Viviano's failed transfer memories (+1)
2. Savic has improved dramatically and is now used to blocking counter attacks more efficiently           adding to his aerial duels abilities. (+1)
3. Tomovic has also turned it up a notch this season. Not as much as Savic and Neto but it is still a                 positive (+1)
4. Matias Fernandez felt it against Pescara when he scored twice in last season's final match and is               constantly improving in a midfield that has been on the decline. (+1)
5. Wolski, It is too early to mark him as a positive yet but i had to mention him a positive prospect for next         season.
6. The return of Vargas (+1)
7. Rossi is arguably the best positive Fiorentina had in years (+1)

Negatives:

1. The defense is as thin as paper when Savic or Gonzalo have to sit any match (-1)
2. Pasqual poor performance (-1)
3. Pizarro poor performance (-1)
4. Aquilani's horrible performance (-1)
5. Newcomers unable to meet expectations (Gomez, Ilicic) leaving a big gap that Jovetic and Ljajic left (-2)
6. Continuous injuries since September (-1)
7. Heavy refereeing effects on the team results and suspensions (-1)

TEAM OFFENSIVE STATISTICS

Two 1-0 losses in a row saw Fiorentina average shots per game reduced to 14.6. Juventus are still in the lead with 17.1.

Two ranks were dropped in shots on target per game. This is one of the stats that clarifies the lack of goals in the last 180 minutes Fiorentina played against Lazio and Juventus. The latter average was reduced as well but retain the lead with 6.4 shots on target per game.

Fiorentina maintained dribbling ways to jump two ranks to second over Lazio and Udinese. I would say most of those dribbles were effective in defense as Savic was highly composed and held the ball tricking Juventus offense numerous times with a back heal dribble. Anything in the front was not as effective. Inter are still in the lead with 14.3 dribbles per game.

Sassuolo tie with Fiorentina in second place as Fiorentina have been fouled much less than average in the last two matches against Lazio and Juventus.

It is worth noting that Fiorentina remain the least team to have offside per game reduced to 1.3 from 1.5 since week 24.

TEAM DEFENSIVE STATISTICS

Fiorentina conceded less shots in the past two games but remain the 14th in rankings. Just as noted in my last Statistics post, Roma are now first place with Juventus after Fiorentina put a few more shots on Juventus than they are used to per match at 9.8

Viola continue to occupy 19th place in tackles made per game only best to Cagliari. In form Parma are in the lead with 24.9 tackles per game.

Fiorentina are still the least team to commit fouls per game at 11.7. Catania and Sampdoria are first with 17.6 each.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

In this section, only players who make the top 5 or worst 5 depending on the type of stat discussed will be mentioned here.

POSITIVE STATS

Giuseppe Rossi is now down to second place after more than two months of injury with a 1 goal margin to Carlos Tevez. Neto is one of fifteen players who appeared in 27 matches. The players who share the first spot appearances may increase after the Parma vs Roma match is played come April. Valero missed both matches against Lazio and Juventus but is still third in assists ranking along with 4 other players. He will also miss Chievo match before returning against Napoli. Juan Cuadrado remains the best dribbler in Serie A with an average of 4 dribbles per game. Savic is still in third with the same average of 3.2 interceptions per game. While Mati Fernandez is still the best passer in Serie A with 93.5% success, Pizarro moved up a rank to 7th with 90.9% success rate. Savic remains in third rank in Aerial duel won per game at an average of 4.

Summary

This table shows the starting formation and its result but by no means shows if that formation was changed during the match.

Hot Prospect Rafal Wolski

The Polish youngster has been impressing many fans during his limited time on the field. Wolski started 3 matches for Fiorentina and was subbed in 5 times this season. He was able to score 1 goal against Atalanta. Until week 25, Wolski had a record of 4 wins and 1 draw with Fiorentina. Here is a small summary of how much he played this season:

• Added time in 5-2 win over Genoa. Subbed in at minute 90'
• Started against Atalanta first leg 2-0 win. Subbed out at minute 54'
• First leg draw against Parma 2-2. Started then subbed at halftime
• 1-0 win against Sassuolo. Subbed in at minute 89'
• Started against Chievo 2-0 victory. Subbed out at minute 69'
• Victory against Atalanta 2-0 (2nd Leg). Subbed in at 60' and scored.
• Loss 1-0 to Lazio. Subbed in at minute 73'.
• Loss to Juventus, Subbed in at minute 65'

Forza Viola!