The loss in the season opening match against Roma was somehow acceptable and understandable but a draw at the Artemio Franchi after a very good display by Fiorentina is incomprehensible. Aquilani, Gomez, Babacar, Valero, Alonso, Cuadrado, Ilicic, Bernardeschi, Pasqual, Gonzalo and Pizarro; this is a list of players that had at the least one chance to get the ball past Perin.
The 90 Minutes
Orsato kicked off the match and it took minutes for on loan Roncaglia to foul Cuadrado. Valero took the first shot on goal after a pretty give and take exchange on the edge of the box but Perin recorded his first of many saves during the match. Soon after that, Gomez had his golden chance to score a header or tap in from Aquilani's short cross but his attempt was as awkward as it could be and the referee called a goal kick for Genoa. Following many fouls on Cuadrado, the International Colombian finally finds himself on the edge of the 6 yards line to dribble his defender and shoot out of bounds. Nearing the half hour mark, Savic shoot down a bird and Babacar aimed at Perin in a different chance at goal. Fiorentina created two more chances before the end of the first half; Cuadrado attempted to score from inside the box after a ball scramble by Babacar to Gomez but the shoot was blocked then Perin stopped Aquilani's run after a great through ball from Cuadrado.
The second half was not any poorer or better. Fiorentina continued to dominate the match and created loads of chances (Most notably Marcos Alonso trying to tap in the ball on the far side of the goal from a long through cross by Pizarro). Ilicic, Bernardeschi and Pasqual were subbed-in for Gomez, Babacar and Savic to bring fresh legs into the team and possibly a player that could score. The substitutes increased the pace and Fiorentina's chances measured up to 22 attempts of which 7 were on goal for Perin to save. Genoa's Pinilla nearly scored with a bicycle kick but the ball did not meet his foot correctly so it bounced out of bounds over the goal bar. The last eighteen minutes were disheartening because Roncaglia was sent off for a second yellow card due to a foul on Cuadrado and no one was able to have a good enough last touch in front of the goal. When Borja Valero is your worst player in the second half of a match that your team is dominating in possession, you ought to feel good about the whole team chances in the future. Gonzalo was the obvious best Viola player out there, but the performances from new comers Alonso, Babacar and especially the energy Bernardeschi brought in are things to feel happy about.
Fiorentina showed good stuff so it is too early to be discouraged with the lack of goals. It has been 180 minutes into Serie A and FIorentina alongside Tuscan rivals Empoli, Hellas Verona and Torino are the only teams that did not score any goal celebration yet.
Player Ratings
Neto 6 Tomović 5.5 Gonzalo 7 Savić 6.5 Alonso 6.5 Aquilani 6.5 Pizarro 5.5 Borja 5.5 Cuadrado 6 Gomez 5.5 Babacar 6 - Montella
— Viola Nation (@Viola_Nation) September 14, 2014
Quotes
Montella:
"It's only right to analyse the whole game and in that sense I think my players did a great job, despite failing the most important thing - getting the ball in the net,"
"We created seven or eight scoring opportunities and when you don't finish those chances, you risk defeat, as we did with Pinilla."
"It was very hot today, so I am satisfied with the level of intensity from the players."
About Gomez:
"I said he needs a goal, it didn't arrive and I hope it'll come in the next game. He needs the support of the team, but at the same time he is physically large and therefore needs a little more time than the others to find form at the start of the season.
"I tried to put Babacar as a centre-forward, because he was in better shape than Mario and had been sacrificing himself out wide.
"I have been a striker, so I know full well that at times all you need is a goal to shake everything else off. I am confident that with a goal it will all be sorted out."
"Cuadrado is a lad who plays to enjoy his football, above all else. I see it in training, his head is clear now after a moment of confusion with all that attention over the summer, but we saw today he didn't hold back," continuedMontella.
"What are we lacking compared to the bigger clubs? For someone to get the ball into the net, even with a ricochet or an own goal! Unfortunately, we always have to work harder to secure a victory, even when we deserve it."
Gasperini:
"In the first half we didn't develop the play well and struggled to create chances, while after the break we were more dangerous with Pinilla,"
"We controlled the final stages well after going down to 10 men. Fiorentina seemed to be running out of steam by that point too."
"I think we took the right approach, as many teams will come to Florence looking to defend."
Babacar:
"Today we were not able to score, but I am convinced that we will will reach our targets,"
"I'm very happy to be back in Florence after the (loan) experience at Modena. Today? We only missed the goal, but as I said I'm sure it will come."
About Gomez:
"I'm sure he will score in the next match, the championship is long, and I'm sure he will give us alot of satisfaction."
Perin:
"I was not the best on the field, the credit goes to the whole team,"
"We were good, we got a major draw after the undeserved defeat to Napoli.
"Perhaps the most difficult plays came from Alberto Aquilani, keeping everything low. We will improve, we are young and it takes patience.
"Even in our game against Napoli we were able to send an important signal.
"It's true that I have gained the interest of several teams and left a couple of times, but this is my home. I still have much to learn as I continue to grow.
"Playing at the Stadio Franchi excites me? Even with Pescara two years ago I managed to do well here, but the stages that I had played on were different. It's nice to have confidence in certain atmospheres.
Gonzalo:
"I'm sorry that we ended the game in the way we did, we had at least 10 scoring chances on goal and nothing materialised,"
"We must also give merit to Genoa who had a great game, but we tried to score in every way.
"Our defence? We feel just as solid as we did last year.
"Our Europa League meeting with Guingamp? We want to win, we want the support of the whole city."
Highlights
Next Match:
Fiorentina vs Guingamp Thursday Sep 19th 2014