Viola Nation - Frosinone vs Fiorentina 2016A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2016-03-21T14:31:01+01:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/110299512016-03-21T14:31:01+01:002016-03-21T14:31:01+01:00Frosinone 0-0 Fiorentina: Match Report
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<figcaption>Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>In a strange 0-0 Fiorentina and Frosinone deservedly share the spoils. After a great first half of the season we are now in to the crucial run in. With the finish line in sight are the Viola's frailties now beginning to be exposed?</p> <p>Paolo Sousa's team woke up on Sunday morning knowing that a victory away at Frosinone would claw them back to within three points of third placed Roma. What effect if any that had on the team's state of mind is questionable. That said, one could easily posit that the toothless display that ensued was a direct result of the pressure and expectation laid at the team's door. Putting aside conjecture and looking at the facts of the matter does not paint a pretty picture for fans of the team. One victory in the last seven games across all competitions is the type of form that in recent weeks has seen a miasma of negativity descend on the club. The hope had been that this downward spiral would be halted in Frosinone. Having drawn at home to bottom of the table Verona last week, this was a must win game for the Viola.That the team could not score against a side that has conceded 55 goals this term (the worst defensive record in Serie A) tells its own story. Crucially it is as big an indicator as any that Paolo Sousa's charges are suffering from a crisis of confidence.</p>
<p>The first half of this match was a dour affair with neither team settling into any type of rhythm. It was a bitty and awkward game, a match where gaining control seemed to be beyond the grasp of either team. Paolo Sousa had opted for what could be construed as a full strength side. Yet despite the caliber of the line up the team from Florence could not assert their authority out on the pitch. It was certainly not a first half for the purists. Those caught dozing off were - in the 45th minute shaken from their dormant state when Facundo Roncaglia crossed to Nikola Kalinic. The Croatian striker expertly manoeuvred himself in sync with the ball to get his shot away, it was an adroit piece of play by Kalinic who saw the ball rebound off the post. The ball skipped back in the direction of Borja Valero who instinctively hit it goal wards, unfortunately Valero's effort was right at Nicola Leali in the Verona goal. Leali could only repel the effort back to Valero who with a second bite of the cherry snatched at his shot, the ball rising sharply to ricochet off the crossbar to safety. The edge of the seat, pinball effect produced by the ball hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession was in stark contrast to the staid action that had been the staple of both sides first half displays.</p>
<p>In fairness as a spectacle the second half was a major improvement on the first. Both teams looked to commit more men forward and though it was the Viola who created more chances Frosinone certainly came as close as the visitors to breaking the deadlock. In the 54th minute Federico Bernardeschi's deflected shot crawled just wide of the post. From the resulting corner Matias Vecino connected sweetly with his head, Leali was equal to it palming the ball away. It was a splendid save from the 23-year-old who was impressive throughout. In the 60th minute Kalinic had another effort dealt with by Frosinone's no.1, the Viola centre forward's half volley did not trouble the score line. In the 61st minute Bernardeschi shot from range, the shot was spilt by Leali but then quickly gathered before Kalinic could pounce. The game looked to be headed in the right direction for Sousa's men.</p>
<p>The peppering of the Frosinone goalmouth continued throughout the remainder of the half. Fiorentina finished the game with 25 attempts to their name, crucially however only 6 of those shots hit the target. Though Frosinone played their part too, the team from just south of Rome were not bystanders. The home side mustered 14 attempts themselves, 5 of which were on target. In the 63rd minute Sousa replaced Bernardeschi with Cristian Tello, and in the 72nd minute Sousa switched Milan Badelj with Mauro Zarate, the manager's final roll of the dice was to bring on Khouma Babacar for Josip Ilicic in the 86th minute. Unfortunately for Sousa none of his changes had the desired effect. In the 70th minute Tello had a tame strike at goal and in the 88th minute Zarate skied a well positioned free kick, apart from that the substitutes had little to no impact on proceedings.</p>
<p>If anything it was in the last quarter of the game that Frosinone upped the ante. In the 74th minute Bulgarian Aleksandar Tonev came on for Roberto Stellone's men. Tonev's incisive running combined with his desire to leave a mark on the game led to a number of ill at ease moments for Fiorentina's back line. Tonev's drive from distance in the 76th minute provoked an uncharacteristic mistake from Viola keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu. Tatarusanu gathered the ball in a rush and hurriedly threw the ball out only for it to land at the feet of Frosinone's Luca Paganini. The Frosinone forward worked the ball back to Tonev who was in a more central position only to see the substitute snap at the chance and the ball roll wide of the Viola uprights. In the 81st minute Oliver Kragl's shot from distance deserved a goal, the German's spectacular strike from all of thirty yards left Tatarusanu rooted to his line, the goalkeeper could only watch on helplessly as the ball crashed off the underside of the crossbar. It was a fantastic hit from Kragl who could not have connected with the ball any sweeter than he did. Fiorentina looked to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth. If any side looked like scoring all of a sudden it was Frosinone. In the 84th minute Tonev again found himself in space with room to get a shot off, fortunately for Fiorentina the shot was off target.</p>
<p>On reflection when referee Paolo Valeri blew for full time Frosinone had earned their point. The 0-0 scoreline was a deflating one for Fiorentina, this match marked only the third time in the league this season that the team have failed to register a goal against their opponents. That the Viola could not break down the team who possess the worst defensive record in the league is perhaps symptomatic of the rut they now find themselves in. Despite their perceived dominance, exemplified in many of the lists compiled to provide post match statistics, the ineluctable truth is that the Viola failed to create enough clear cut opportunities. Most of their attempts at goal came from half chances. The failure to convert the one or two clear chances they did furnish themselves with ultimately proved to be all too costly. Much like last week, this felt like two points lost rather than one point gained, Fiorentina remain in fourth position on 55 points, 5 points behind third placed Roma.</p>
<p>For once Fiorentina may well be happy with the break afforded them by the upcoming International fixtures. The pause in league play gives manager Paolo Sousa time to get the team's focus back on track. Fiorentina's next league game is at home to Sampdoria on the 3rd of April. With eight games to go in the league all is not lost. For Paolo Sousa a brief hiatus is just what the doctor ordered. The recent dispirited displays must be swept under the carpet and forgotten about. In order for the Viola to progress Sousa must find a way of re-instilling the enthusiasm and desire that was evident earlier in the season. As of right now the team and players collectively look a shell of their former selves.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2016/3/21/11273482/frosinone-0-0-fiorentina-match-reportJSE19262016-03-20T14:23:29+01:002016-03-20T14:23:29+01:00Frosninone Vs. Fiorentina: Lineups & Match Thread
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<figcaption>Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Paulo Sousa moves away from the experimental lineup of last week's 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona</p> <p><a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a> coach <span>Paulo Sousa</span> has moved away from last Sunday's experimental lineup that saw bottom of the league <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona" class="sbn-auto-link">Hellas Verona</a> take a point away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Captain Gonzalo Rodriguez returns to the lineup along with Nikola Kalinic up front. With <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">AS Roma</a> only scoring a point at home to Inter last night, Fiorentina must capitalise against relegation threatened <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/frosinone-calcio-italy" class="sbn-auto-link">Frosinone</a> in order to close the gap to third place.</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.25em;">Lineups</b></p>
<p><b>Frosinone</b>: (4-5-1) Leali; M. Ciofani, Ajeti, Blanchard, Pavlovic; Sammarco, Gori, Frara, Paganin, Kragl; D. Ciofani</p>
<p><b>Fiorentina</b>: (4-3-2-1) Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori, Alonso; Badelj, Vecino, <span>Borja Valero</span>; Bernardeschi, Ilicic; Kalinic</p>
<h5>How to watch</h5>
<p>TV: Viewing options on TV are extremely limited outside of Italy, find out more <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665597/frosinone-vs-fiorentina/">here</a></p>
<p>Online: There are some legal online streams, which can be found <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665597/frosinone-vs-fiorentina/">here</a></p>
<p>Links to illegal streams in the comments will be removed and repeat offenders banned), and as always, you can also follow along with us live on <a href="https://twitter.com/Viola_Nation" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. If you haven't already, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=403">join the community on Viola Nation</a>, and join in the discussion below.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2016/3/20/11271542/frosinone-fiorentina-2016-serie-a-lineups-team-news-live-online-streamingChloe_Beresford2016-03-18T23:17:55+01:002016-03-18T23:17:55+01:00Frosinone vs Fiorentina: Preview
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<figcaption>Caravaggio-esque physical composition. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>If Fiorentina lose this one, the chances of making the Champions League plummet. So no pressure, anyone.</p> <div class="pullquote">
<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/frosinone-calcio-italy">Frosinone</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a><span>Sunday 18 March 2016</span> <span>4 PM local, 10 AM ET</span> <span>Stadio Matusa</span><span>Frosinone, Italy</span>
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<p>We thought that <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2016/3/12/11208768/fiorentina-vs-hellas-verona-2016?_ga=1.253509705.1962755818.1458156112">last week's match</a> against a last-placed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona">Hellas Verona</a> would be a great place for Fiorentina to recover from some recent reverses, but boy were we wrong. Now, we get to do it all again against a struggling Frosinone that the Viola <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2015/10/31/9649036/fiorentina-vs-frosinone-serie-a-round-11-november-2015?_ga=1.181413095.1962755818.1458156112">absolutely pasted 4-1</a> earlier in the season. With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a> facing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a> matching up this weekend, a win would really help make up the 5 point gap between the good guys and the Lupi. The referee for tomorrow is old friend Paolo Valeri.</p>
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<h3>Frosinone</h3>
<p>A club's first season in the top flight is usually rocky, and that's been the case for the Canarini. While they've had some high points (getting their first ever Serie A point in a draw against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a>, for example), it's mostly been tough sledding; they sit in 18th, a point behind <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/palermo">Palermo</a> and the safety of 17th. They've actually perked up a bit in recent weeks, and although a loss to 19th-placed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/carpi-fc-1909-italy">Carpi</a> certainly stings, they held regional rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> to a scoreless draw in their first-ever top flight derby. Over their last five, they're W2 D1 L2, which is probably their best stretch of the season.</p>
<p>Manager Roberto Stellone has one of the youngest squads in the league. He usually sets out in an energetic 4-3-3, with a midfield trio more focused on running than passing. With some pace out wide and up top, this is a typical lower-table set-up. He'll have to make do without centerback Adriano Russo (hamstring), rightback Bleedin' Aleandro Rosi (suspension), and midfielder Mirko Gori. The danger men are nippy wide man Federico Dionisi--8 goals, 4 assists, and 9 (!) yellow cards--and big penalty-box poacher Daniel Ciofani--8 goals of his own. Also keep an eye out for centerback Leonardo Blanchard on set pieces, as he's got 3 goals this season.</p>
<h3>Fiorentina</h3>
<p>Reeling doesn't begin to describe the Viola right now. A <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2016/3/4/11151176/as-roma-vs-fiorentina-2016-stream?_ga=1.249907910.1962755818.1458156112">dismantling</a> at the hands of Roma two weeks ago and the world's most uninspiring draw against the last-place team last week have fans wondering if third place is realistic. Three points at the Matusa would go a long way to quelling those fears, and launching the Gigliati upwards for a final, desperate assault on the Champions League places.</p>
<p><span>Paulo Sousa</span> will probably field as close to his strongest lineup as possible. Expect returns for Gonzalo Rodríguez, Matías Vecino, <span>Milan Badelj</span>, <span>Federico Bernardeschi</span>, and Nikola Kalinić. With Nenad Tomović (knee) out until after Easter and <span>Yohan Benalouane</span> (fictional character) still not ready, Sousa has few options in the defense. Look for him to use the 4-2-3-1 in an effort to fit more attacking players on the pitch together. <span>Manuel Pasqual</span>, Valero, and Kalinić are all at risk of missing next week's match against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/sampdoria">Sampdoria</a> due to yellow card accumulation.</p>
<h3>Lineups from the Blind Guess Dept.</h3>
<p><strong>Frosinone</strong> (4-3-3): Leali; M Ciofani, Ajeti, Blanchard, Pavlović; Frara, Sammarco, Gori; Paganini, D Ciofani, Kragl</p>
<p><strong>Fiorentina</strong> (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori, Alonso; Vecino, Badelj; Tello, Ilicic, Bernardeschi; Kalinic</p>
<h3>How to watch</h3>
<p><strong>TV</strong>: No dice. Sorry, everyone.</p>
<p><strong>Online</strong>: Other live viewing options can be found <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665597/frosinone-vs-fiorentina/" target="_blank">here</a>, and as always, we'll have a match thread live here for discussion of the game at hand. You can also follow along with us live on <a href="https://twitter.com/Viola_Nation" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and we'll have updates of the most important events on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ViolaNationSBN" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2016/3/18/11264912/frosinone-vs-fiorentina-preview-serie-a-21-march-2016The Tito