Viola Nation - Roma vs Fiorentina: Serie A 2016/2017A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2017-02-08T04:23:06+01:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/142822272017-02-08T04:23:06+01:002017-02-08T04:23:06+01:00Roma 4-0 Fiorentina: Recap and player ratings
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<img alt="AS Roma v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uTUIopntXiCdNrlEPdpQMqjdUo8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53141551/634170600.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Shrug it out. | Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>This is the worst Viola performance in recent memory.</p> <h2 id="ULk3Ue">Pre-match</h2>
<p id="hXJRty">Both Luciano Spalletti and <span>Paulo Sousa</span> lined up with their expected formations, which looked oddly symmetrical: a 3-4-2-1 with a double pivot comprised of an all-action runner and a deep-lying schemer, a fullback on the left wing, a winger on the right wing, and a playmaking band comprised of a midfielder pushed forward and a winger pushed central. <span>Khouma Babacar</span> started for the visitors in the absence of the injured Nikola Kalinic.</p>
<h2 id="40ZCKY">First half</h2>
<p id="GgapoY">It’s hard to believe now, but <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> were the better team for the opening quarter hour or so. Babacar in particular was energetic and involved, nearly getting on the end of a long <span>Federico Bernardeschi</span> pass in the opening minutes and generally looking a handful for the slow-footed Federico Fazio. The best opportunity fell to Federico Chiesa, who blazed over the bar with his leftfollowing a corner. However, after that brief burst, the visitors never really threatened again, inexplicably sagging farther and farther back and inviting a series of breaks from <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a>.</p>
<p id="xEYELf">Despite offering a token threat from the forwards, the Viola midfield just vanished. <span>Milan Badelj</span> and Matias Vecino somehow got out of sync and gave the Giallorossi the run of the park, leaving the defense to deal with a series of breakaways that they did quite well to stop. Edin Dzeko was squeezing off shots left and right, as he generally does, but didn’t manage a particularly threatening one until the 38th minute, when he beat the offside trap via Carlos Sanchez stepping up a hair late and latched onto a Daniele de Rossi ball over the top and finishing the ensuing one-on-one with Ciprian Tatarusanu.</p>
<p id="4n7Zhh">Still, with just moments left in the half, Fiorentina could feel good about having only conceded once despite the barrage of shots (12 in all) they’d faced in the opening period. However, it took a tremendous Tatarusanu save on Dzeko just minutes before the whistle to preserve that single goal deficit, and the Gigliati faithful went into the break hoping that Sousa would inspire a second-half turnaround.</p>
<h2 id="2Jf6Cs">Second half</h2>
<p id="0PRwKb">Instead, Fiorentina took the pitch looking even flatter than when they’d left it. Roma’s backline stepped high up the pitch, squeezing their opponents’ playing space, and nobody could quite figure out the right angle to play a ball in behind for Babacar. Instead, a series of giveaways and fouls pinned the Viola back in their own half, and de Rossi finally spun a free kick from the left wing into Fazio, who outleapt everyone to head it home and double the lead just before the hour mark.</p>
<p id="TqrkCi">The second goal seemed to take all the fight out of Fiorentina, and they listlessly allowed Roma to continue knifing through their so-called defense at will. Indeed, it was only Roma’s profligacy in front of goal (Dzeko, unsurprisingly, was the main culprit) that kept the match as close as it was, although Antonio Rudiger very nearly managed a spectacular shot on the turn following a corner at 69’, and shortly after Tata made another brilliant intervention on Dzeko. However, the counters never stopped, and de Rossi undid the Gigliati again when his clever outlet ball found <span>Kevin Strootman</span> on the left wing. The Dutchman drove forward, then looped a cross into an unmarked <span>Radja Nainggolan</span>, who neatly controlled and dispatched it for an impressive third goal.</p>
<p id="3qUrf5">Not content with an already spectacular scoreline, Spalletti’s men continued to swarm forward, and their intensity was rewarded yet again in minute 83, when a long pass from the midfield deflected off an otherwise-invisible <span>Borja Valero</span> and let Dzeko slip by Gonzalo Rodriguez to finish past a despairing Tatarusanu once more. Even then, Roma kept pushing, and it probably would have been a fair reflection of the balance of play if they’d won by more.</p>
<h2 id="mZZtBp">Post-match</h2>
<p id="igNX1f">This was as damning an indictment of Sousa as a manager as anything we’ve witnessed. The team clearly gave up in the second half, and that’s entirely on the coach; if he can’t convince his players to put forth some sort of effort, the team needs to part ways with him sooner rather than later. As <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta">Atalanta</a> both won, this drops the Viola even farther behind in the quest for the final European spot, and this kind of result is the type that can result in a rest-of-season malaise that ends with a mid-table club and a full clearing of the house. If this is all that the team can muster in such a critical situation, maybe it really is time for a rebuild.</p>
<h2 id="EI7396">Player ratings</h2>
<p id="BLBajI">The whole team (except for maybe Tata) gave us this, so I’m not going to rate them individually.</p>
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<p id="sDcIft">Next up is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese</a> on Saturday. For now, let’s just forget this ever happened.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/8/14542888/roma-4-0-fiorentina-recap-match-review-player-ratings-serie-a-dzeko-nainggolan-fazioThe Tito2017-02-07T22:42:38+01:002017-02-07T22:42:38+01:00Roma 4-0 Fiorentina: Full time and highlights
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<img alt="AS Roma v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t_zIVoZN5SXCFTrMfYjbqx2Nc_Y=/0x431:2195x1894/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53137431/634162538.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nowhere to turn. | Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Well, that was a purely dreadful 90 minutes.</p> <h2 id="F2bas4">Pre-match</h2>
<p id="VL0w4u">Both Luciano Spalletti and <span>Paulo Sousa</span> sent out their expected lineups.</p>
<h2 id="Wju3yM">First half</h2>
<p id="7Cgp2U">5 minutes before halftime, Daniele de Rossi played one over the top for Edin Dzeko, who beat the offside trap and finished to put the hosts up 1-0.</p>
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<p lang="it" dir="ltr">GOAL Dzeko!! Roma 1-0 Fiorentina <a href="https://t.co/895K5EqfO0">pic.twitter.com/895K5EqfO0</a></p>— Serie A News (@TransfersCalcio) <a href="https://twitter.com/TransfersCalcio/status/829064718857826304">February 7, 2017</a>
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<h2 id="kRx0mT">Second half</h2>
<p id="5fQYOL">In the 58th minute, de Rossi turned provider again, swinging in a free kick for Federico Fazio, who rose over everyone and headed home.</p>
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<p id="NXRZcm">With 15 minutes to go, de Rossi picked out <span>Kevin Strootman</span> on the break. The Dutchman’s cross was brought down by an all-alone <span>Radja Nainggolan</span>, who finished past Ciprian Tatarusanu.</p>
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<p id="oSP6JN">5 minutes later, Dzeko latched onto another through ball that the defense should have cleared and lashed home past Tatarusanu to complete the rout.</p>
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<h2 id="77V4nS">Full time</h2>
<p id="hdmbIa"><strong>Goals</strong>: Dzeko 39’ (ass. de Rossi), Fazio 58’ (ass. de Rossi), Nainggolan 78’ (ass. Strootman), Dzeko 83’</p>
<p id="sIh2oG"><strong>Bookings</strong>: Strootman 18’, de Rossi 56’, Sanchez 35’, Valero 41’, Rodriguez 57’</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/7/14540916/as-roma-4-0-fiorentina-serie-a-match-goal-dzeko-fazio-nainggolan-video-highlightsThe Tito2017-02-07T20:15:49+01:002017-02-07T20:15:49+01:00Roma vs Fiorentina: Lineups and match thread
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v AS Roma - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FatogpJ7cdXn7Y0UKiQzrR4yznw=/3x0:3000x1998/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53132985/607567512.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Gonzalo and Tatarusanu return as Fiorentina prepares for a difficult test in the Eternal City.</p> <h3 id="0JawAl">Late News</h3>
<p id="PlOTHm">Luciano Spalletti has called up <span>Mohamed Salah</span>, who has just returned to Italy after Egypt lost the African Cup final to Cameroon, which of course means he will probably score a last minute game winner today. Diego Perotti has also made Roma’s squad after recovering from injury.</p>
<p id="P7vwYh">For <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a>, <span>Paulo Sousa</span> once again has Gonzalo Rodriguez and still first choice keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, who should provide a boost to the defense alongside <span>Davide Astori</span> and Carlos Sanchez. Up front, Nikola Kalinic remains out injured; as a result <span>Khouma Babacar</span> will start up front.</p>
<h3 id="roG49b">Lineups</h3>
<p id="7irIj3"><strong>Roma</strong> (3-4-2-1): Szczesny; Manolas, Fazio, Rudiger, Peres; De Rossi, Strootman, Emerson; Nainggolan, El Shaarawy; Dzeko</p>
<p id="fCclbk"><strong>Fiorentina</strong> (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu; Sanchez, Gonzalo, Astori; Chiesa, Badelj, Vecino, Olivera; <span>Borja Valero</span>, Bernardeschi; Babacar</p>
<h3 id="Ym7Qvc">How to watch:</h3>
<p id="EJWFya"><strong>TV</strong>: Check <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2028502/roma-vs-fiorentina/">here</a> for local options, including RAI International in the U.S. and Canada and BT Sport 2 in the U.K.</p>
<p id="zoEYBa"><strong>Online</strong>: This game will be available for streaming in North America through BeIN Sports Connect. Check <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2028502/roma-vs-fiorentina/">here</a> for other options.</p>
<p id="ouhgak">Forza Viola!</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/7/14524584/as-roma-fiorentina-serie-a-lineup-official-formation-how-to-watch-online-stream-match-thread-commentNolan KB2017-02-06T03:16:44+01:002017-02-06T03:16:44+01:00Roma vs Fiorentina: Preview
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v AC ChievoVerona - Tim Cup" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7W4aZ-EFSOcXgm1CnROajPmnYyI=/0x193:2286x1717/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53101703/631486730.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Return of the king. | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>7th place travels to face 2nd place with both teams in dire need of 3 points. Not exactly an ideal setup for the Viola.</p> <p id="TAcq6M">After nearly bottling <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2017/1/6/14193174/pescara-vs-fiorentina-serie-a-2016-2017-week-giornata-19">their match</a> against bottom-of-the-table <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/pescara">Pescara</a>, <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> travel to the capital for what will surely be a stiffer test in the form of <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a>, who sit second in the table. When these two met earlier this year, the Viola squeaked out with a <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2016/9/17/12954300/fiorentina-as-roma-serie-a-2016-2017">1-0 win</a>, although Roma won <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2016/3/4/11151176/as-roma-vs-fiorentina-2016-stream">the last one at the Olimpico</a> by a scoreline of 4-1. In their last 10 against the Giallorossi, Fiorentina are W3 D1 L6.</p>
<p id="C6ZcB0">The referee for this one is Massimiliano Irrati, under whom the Viola have gone W1 D1 L2, including his really poor job in the <a href="http://www.violanation.com/2016/12/20/14012894/lazio-3-1-fiorentina-recap-player-ratings-goal-keita-biglia-radu-zarate-match-serie-a?_ga=1.217239071.842570805.1481730017">3-1 loss</a> to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> that saw a succession of Fiorentina players mugged without any repercussion, including Nenad Tomovic taking a boot to the face with no whistle.</p>
<p id="i2TZqG">The match will be played on <strong>Tuesday, 7 February 2017</strong>, at <strong>7:45 PM CET/2:45 PM EST</strong>, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.</p>
<h2 id="qgk15e">Roma</h2>
<p id="wZkgmz">Last we saw Roma, they were only escaping from a Coppa Italia loss against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/cesena">Cesena</a> due to a 97th minute <span>Francesco Totti</span> penalty. They’re W4 D0 L1 over their last 5 in Serie A matches. Now 2nd in the league, they’re 4 points behind leaders <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> and desperately need to keep winning if they want to break the Bianconeri stranglehold on the league, much less stay ahead of 3rd-placed <a href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a>, who lurk 2 points behind them.</p>
<p id="LyIuoo">Manager Luciano Spalletti has ditched his usual 4-3-3 of late in favor of a more 3-4-2-1ish shape, which better suits his personnel right now. He’ll be missing long-term absentee <span>Alessandro Florenzi</span> (knee) as well as centerback <span>Juan Jesus</span> (knee) and wingers <span>Mohamed Salah</span> (AFCON) and Diego Peres (hamstring) . However, this is still the same old Roma: a sometimes shaky backline, a midfield mixing grit and technique, and some brilliant wide attackers.</p>
<p id="EhA7uD">With the prolific (if sometimes wasteful) Edin Dzeko up top and the energy of <span>Radja Nainggolan</span> behind him, the central midfield pairing will probably play a reserved role and leave the attacking to the tridente and a pair of very forward-minded wingbacks. They may be a bit loose at the back, but will be buoyed by the return of star defender <span>Kostas Manolas</span>.</p>
<h2 id="6Ju52C">Fiorentina</h2>
<p id="xqvtbO">The Viola have, perhaps, the most frustrating 5 match Serie A undefeated run ever, managing a W3 D2 in that time. However, it required some last-second heroics against a bad Delfini team, and late collapses against both Napoli and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/genoa">Genoa</a>. Still, though, they’ve fought their way to 7th place, just 3 points behind Lazio, 5th place, and Europa League qualification.</p>
<p id="djkPkY"><span>Paulo Sousa</span> will once again scramble to assemble a backline in the absence of captain Gonzalo Rodriguez (hamstring), although at least <span>Davide Astori</span> should be ready to go this time around against his former employers. It remains unclear if Ciprian Tatarusanu (back) is healthy enough to start, so <span>Marco Sportiello</span> may get another shot between the sticks. <span>Federico Bernardeschi</span> and Nikola Kalinic will almost certainly return, and <span>Borja Valero</span> will push into the playmaker role to allow Matias Vecino and <span>Milan Badelj</span> to form a sturdy midfield pairing to combat a physical Roma group.</p>
<p id="rpJerE">Let’s be honest: this is a tough ask for Sousa. He’ll probably hope for more of a grinding match, but will have to figure out how to protect the right side of his defense, where the redoubtable Carlos Sanchez is an ace defender but lacks the pace to run with Stephan El Shaarawy. On the other hand, Federico Chiesa and Berna could run riot down Roma’s left, so it may be an interesting battle.</p>
<h2 id="PQkrIG">Possible lineups</h2>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hSmgHuSXT_jA-JmVehto4Lf2B1Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7930689/02072017_at_roma_zpsdxrxzysh.png">
<cite><a href="http://www.sharemytactics.com/">Share My Tactics</a></cite>
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<h2 id="ptvhJd">How to watch</h2>
<p id="GUPFEc"><strong>TV</strong>: If you have RAI, then you should fire it up.</p>
<p id="MZo2Vn"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2028502/roma-vs-fiorentina/">Here</a> is your list of safe, reliable, and legal streams.</p>
<h2 id="tZ0GWs">Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department</h2>
<p id="gSb5yw">Roma haven’t been particularly good recently despite their recent results and the Viola are due to have a fully coherent 90 minutes at some point (right?), so let’s call it a 1-2 win for Fiorentina, with Berna and Kalinic on target for the visitors and Nainggolan getting a goal and a sending off.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/6/14501724/as-roma-fiorentina-preview-prediction-lineup-serie-a-h2h-how-to-watch-online-streamThe Tito