Tata out for Tottenham clash, Borja questionable

The Fiorentina faithful were handed some bad news from the infirmary today, as the official Viola media notified the press that first choice goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu will have to sit out for at least 10 days due to lower back pain. The Romanian international had been experiencing back pain in midweek as well, but was fit to play in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Torino. However, this communication makes it clear that Tata will miss both Thursday's return leg against Tottenham Hotspur and Sunday's game against Inter at the San Siro; due to the nature of the injury and the forecasted "reevaluation" by Fiorentina medical staff next week, he may also miss the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal against Juventus.

Tatarusanu has been the first choice keeper for Vincenzo Montella since Norberto Neto refused to sign a contract extension with the club in January, essentially announcing his plans to leave as a free agent in the summer. But Neto will be between the sticks on Thursday, in a most unwelcome return for most Fiorentina fans after the manner with which he conducted affairs in the winter, and the fact that the Brazilian's rumored destination in the summer window is Juventus. It is expected that he will only be mildly jeered at the Artemio Franchi given the importance of the game, but it is certainly an uncomfortable situation.

Borja Valero is also a doubt for the Europa League match on Thursday, as he continues to suffer from complications of nasty cut obtained in the first leg in London. The gash across the Spanish midfielder's leg required 7 stitches, and the knee has unexpectedly swelled after treatment. If Borja is able to get a couple practices in before Thursday then he will still play, but as of now he hasn't been able to train with the team since last week.

With an already difficult game on the horizon, the last thing Fiorentina or Montella needed was to lose one of their leaders in midfield or their in-form keeper, let alone inviting a reemergence of the "Neto drama." It'll be very interesting and probably nerve wracking to see how the Viola cope with these absence(s).