A Thriller with A Story

Even though I was not able to watch the game, the highlights were nothing but a summary of a whole Viola season. In goal, Neto's injury put Rosati against the Berardi machine gun and the sight was not pretty. It looked as if all goals were defending mistakes but those second and third goals (Many would never say this last September) were savable if Neto was there.

The best possible defensive pairing in La Viola squad has been always agreed on to be Savic & Gonzalo. That pairing failed miserably in blocking Sassuolo attacks. There was a missed Sassuolo chance in which Mati Fernandez was the last defender against 3 Sassuolo players and that says a lot. Having Diakite and Pasqual on the defense sides was no help either. It is as clear as day, When Fiorentina play against a team that must win for any reason, conceding goals becomes a formality and the question would be how many?

Like many other games, the midfield was very active and effective offensively by creating as many chances as any forward would dream of. On the other hand, Fiorentina mids lack the defensive mindset and skill set especially when Valero, Mati and Pizarro are your choice. Valero assisted Rossi's goal while Pizarro sent the long ball that Cuadrado lobbed the keeper with to score the third.

The front line was made of Cuadrado, Matri and Wolski. A few misses in the first half until the real players came in; Joaquin and Rossi. Joaquin forces Sassuolo defenders to concede a penalty which was converted by Gonzalo and Rossi penetrates the middle of Sassuolo's 10 man defense with a one two pass by Valero to score the second.

Was that a penalty? It looked like the ball hit Valero's elbow but from my view, his elbow was right in front of his chest and so it did not change the area of cover he had. Just like Fiorentina's season, even if it was a correct call, it was highly questionable. Even if it was the wrong call, why was it made?

Just to emphasize on all Violanation contributors comments, Fiorentina desperately need to strengthen the backline, left, right and middle as well as attracting a younger Ambrosini with a little extra passing skill. Maybe also keep one of the loaned forwards as backup next season.

Montella needs to focus on getting those three points to consolidate fourth place in the remaining two matches against Livorno and Torino. The only threat to overtake fourth place is Inter. The next fixture has Inter playing Lazio before the Fiorentina Match and so things may get either stressful or too easy depending on that result.

Report Cards

POSITION	NAME	RATING	REMARKS
GK	Rosati
DR	Diakite
DC	Savic
DC	Gonzalo
DL	Pasqual
MCR	Valero
MCL	Fernandez
MC	Pizarro
WR	Wolski
F	Matri
WL	Cuadrado
SUB1-WR	Joaquin
SUB2-F	Rossi
SUB3-DR	Tomovic
Coach	Montella

Quotes

Di Francesco

"Against a very strong side we fought with quality and hard work, deservedly getting the victory for what we showed in the opening 70 minutes,"

"There is no such thing as an easy game and Fiorentina really played today, giving us a battle.

"The result of Catania-Bologna this weekend will be fundamental in the race for safety, as it's even possible 35 points could be enough."

"He is young and at times makes some naive mistakes. He has a strong character and without that he wouldn't play the way he does in big games.

"Curiously, whenever Berardi scored a hat-trick or even four goals, we ended up winning 4-3!"

Montella

"This is football, the differences between teams are minimal,"

"The team lacked concentration, but not determination. For 20 minutes we played well, then the penalty broke the deadlock and we suffered on their counter-attacks.

"We showed some pride towards the end and even risked getting an equaliser. I want a team that is reinforced next season, even if it's difficult to repeat certain results."

"It did hit Valero's elbow, but he was not increasing the size of his body with the arm. Paolo Tagliavento made the decision anyway."

"He is an extraordinary player, as when he's not in great shape he still manages to find that moment of magic from a champion."

Hi Lights

Fiorentina 3 - 4 Sassuolo

Statistics

Fiorentina	VS	Sassuolo
72%	Possession	28%
24 (7)	Shots (On Target)	16 (6)
7	Corners	3
8	Fouls committed	14
3	Yellow Cards	4
0	Red Cards	0

Serie A Goals

Name	Goals
Rossi	15 (Scored this match)
Cuadrado	10 (Scored this match)
Aquilani	6
Valero	6
Matri	4
Vargas	4
Gonzalo	4 (Scored this match)
Gomez	3
Fernandez	3
Ilicic	3
Joaquin	2
Pizarro	1
Wolski	1

Serie A card accumulation

Name	YELLOW CARDS	RED CARDS	SUSPENSIONS
Gonzalo	12	-	-
Ambrosini	7	-	Misses match on next yellow card
Aquilani	7	-	Misses match on next yellow card
Cuadrado	7	-	Booked this Match
Savic	5	-	-
Pizarro	5	-	-
Tomovic	5	-	-
Valero	5	-	Booked this Match
Pasqual	5	-	Booked this Match
Matri	4	-	-
Compper	3	-	Misses match on next yellow card
Matos	3	-	Misses match on next yellow card
Neto	3	-	Misses match on next yellow card
Diakite	3	-	Misses match on next yellow card
Roncaglia	2	-	-
Wolski	2	-	-
Fernandez	1	-	-
Gomez	1	-	-
Ilicic	1	-	-
Rebic	1	-	-
Rossi	1	-	-

What is next?

Sun May 11 9:00 ET Livorno v Fiorentina
Sun May 18 9:00 ET Fiorentina v Torino

End Of Season

Forza Viola!