Viola Nation - Milan vs Fiorentina: Serie A 2016/2017A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2017-02-20T17:54:45+01:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/144191432017-02-20T17:54:45+01:002017-02-20T17:54:45+01:00AC Milan 2-1 Fiorentina: Highlights
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<img alt="AC Milan v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZDKlDGIJtaVK3j7xvFgYOxmMi4w=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53318523/642944438.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Fiorentina just could not get the job done against a hungry Milan team | Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s tough to control possession the whole match and not come away with the victory.</p> <h1 id="XRcHcg">Pre-Match</h1>
<p id="dO0GBs">With both teams looking to move up the table. This match is crucial for both <a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/">AC Milan</a> and <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a>. With a win each team would move closer to a Europa league spot for next year. Fiorentina missed <span>Federico Bernardeschi</span> tonight because of suspension.</p>
<h1 id="O50lec">First Half</h1>
<p id="JmlZi6"><span>Juraj Kucka</span> leads off the scoring for Milan.</p>
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<p id="QnO97e">Nikola Kalinic with the equalizer in the 20’ off a beautiful cross from Chiesa.</p>
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<p id="acjk9u">Gerard Deulofeu comes up big to give Milan the lead in the 31 minute. He complete ran through the Fiorentina defense for the winner.</p>
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<p id="iTOSTe">It was a pretty open first half, both sides had plenty of chances, but Milan led at the half 2-1 over Fiorentina. </p>
<h1 id="lt3i7c">Second Half</h1>
<p id="kA55oj">Tatarusanu actually makes an amazing save in the 85 minute on an Abate challenge.</p>
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<p lang="tl" dir="ltr">85' Tatarusanu does well to keep out the effort by Abate / Abate vicino al 3-1, ma Tatarusanu si supera <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MilanFiorentina?src=hash">#MilanFiorentina</a> 2-1</p>— AC Milan (@acmilan) <a href="https://twitter.com/acmilan/status/833429385269100547">February 19, 2017</a>
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<p id="0yQor9">Fiorentina controlled possession the whole second half, but Milan’s defense was too strong to overcome.</p>
<h1 id="I4E0Nj">Full Time</h1>
<p id="3lHTI1">Goals: Kucka 16’ (ass. Sosa), Kalinic 20’ (ass. Chiesa), Deulofeu 31’ (ass. Pasalic)</p>
<p id="pOTnVq">Bookings: Salcedo 45’, Vangioni 45+1’, Gomez 51’, Vecino 51’, Suso 74’</p>
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https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/20/14663592/acmilan-2-1-fiorentina-highlights-kucka-kalinic-deulofeu-goal-video-serie-a-video-highlightsKyle_Zwiazek2017-02-20T07:08:54+01:002017-02-20T07:08:54+01:00Milan 2 - 1 Fiorentina: Recap and Player Ratings
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<img alt="AC Milan v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/i9xaGVWEqdnLqTykCprpuH1v0QQ=/0x42:3000x2042/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53318501/642951668.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Just get rid of it Carlos, seriously. | Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><strong>*Exhale of disappointment</strong>*</p> <h1 id="FecoSw">Pre Match</h1>
<p id="aaHK1H">Coming into this match off the back of a rather cagey 0-0 draw at the Artemio Franchi, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/players/257633/paulo-sousa-manager?_ga=1.26053693.1848296100.1485183982">Paulo Sousa</a> looked to push on from his sides assured 1-0 in Gladbach with a largely, and slightly mystifying rotated team. Sousa being Sousa decided to field a rather awkward back line, with Salcedo and Sanchez making up the left and right back berths respectively, with <span>Josip Iličić</span> playing off <span>Nikola Kalinić</span> who looked to give a rather leaky <a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/">Milan</a> backline consisting of Gustavo Gómez and Vangioni something to think about. <span>Suso</span> and Gerard Deulofeu flanked <span>Carlos Bacca</span> with Montella utilising his preferred 4-3-3 formation.</p>
<h1 id="s3FUAs">First Half</h1>
<p id="RS57uj">As the first half got under way what was a rather confusing line up from <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> got even more bizarre when it became apparent that there was no full-backs anywhere to be seen. Salcedo’s awkwardness and Sanchez’s solid but never truly special application providing Fiorentina with a very compact back 4; appearing to directly counter what was a very fast and direct Milan front 3. Chiesa was a clear outlet for Fiorentina, who looked to utilise his pace and ballsiness on the right. A fairly even stevens start then descended into typical Fiorentina with <span>Juraj Kucka</span> scoring a headed goal from a free kick, who was largely unchallenged by <span>Davide Astori</span> who found himself in no mans land. 1-0 down after 15 minutes and with such a rotated squad, it was hard to envisage how Fiorentina were going to really take a hold on the match. As the 20th minute struck, Federico “Second Coming” Chiesa showed just why Sousa wanted the play channeled through him with a wonderful cross ending up in Kalinić doing just what he does best, ghosting behind Paletta and glancing the ball into the net with what was a true poacher’s finish. </p>
<p id="gqoCWr">But oh how little time it bought Fiorentina before Deulofeu strolled through a packed edge of the area with Gonzalo and co. backing off the Spaniard as if he smelt really, really bad. The time afforded to Deulofeu meant he duly punished La Viola, with a deft curling finish into Tata’s bottom left. Fiorentina’s lack of conviction and cohesion was costing them dearly. As it happens, Cristóforo managed once again to get his stunt double/hologram to take his place; a completely anonymous performance... Still to this day I find myself wondering what exactly Cristóforo is.</p>
<h1 id="IIa5Qi">Second Half</h1>
<p id="C0bs0P">Alas, Fiorentina trudged back out after what a presumably tactic focused team talk by Sousa. With the first 11 struggling to find a consistent pattern of play in the first half, Chiesa and co. made a much brighter start to the second half, pinning the Rossoneri back and spreading the ball about more confidently, only to then see Sanchez sky the ball from 5 yards. Admittedly un-prepared for the opportunity, the Colombian’s lack of composure meant the score stayed at 2-1, with Fiorentina’s initial spunkier start fading into what became a scrappy affair around the 60th minute mark. At this point it became glaringly clear how much Fiorentina missed dear Bernardeschi, a player of such quality who would have been perfect to sprinkle some of his magic on the game to once again bail his teammates out.</p>
<p id="omkYNL">As the second half wore on so did Milan, who reverted a deeper defence which again saw a rejuvenation of pressure from Sousa’s men. Cristian Tello’s 69th minute substitution for Chiesa was confusing to say the least, the latter being Fiorentina’s best player. It can only be assumed he was being rested in anticipation for the welcoming of Gladbach to the Artemio Franchi next week. Tello wasn’t the only player to join the fray as Badelj replaced a truly woeful Cristóforo... seriously Cristoforo, just why? As the referee’s watch passed the 80th minute, <span>Riccardo Saponara</span> found himself thrown into the fray with a rather measly 10 minutes available to change the match, replacing an abysmal Iličić. Despite sporadic waves of pressure from Fiorentina, the match fizzed out as the whole of Florence let out a collective sigh.</p>
<h1 id="q6By5K">Post Match</h1>
<p id="Uuknj7">With Sousa fielding a largely mismatched back line and being forced to leave out Bernardeschi, Fiorentina crawled to what was a thoroughly underwhelming defeat at the hands of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/players/164108/vincenzo-montella?_ga=1.26053693.1848296100.1485183982">Vincenzo Montella’s</a> side, who's overloading of the flanks helped them dominate. Some individually abysmal performances from Iličić and Cristoforo did no Fiorentina no favours.</p>
<h1 id="Gqz1rP">Player Ratings</h1>
<p id="8mvcPv">Tātārusanu - 7 - An OK performance from Tata, not helped by his defence’s poor showing.</p>
<p id="IMJePY">Sanchez - 5 - A very average performance by recent standards from the newly formed midfielder come defender.</p>
<p id="A0xAAO">Rodriguez - 6 - As usual the most capable at the back, had a solid game.</p>
<p id="p9gBMo">Astori - 5 - At fault for Milan’s first.</p>
<p id="cgnrSU">Salcedo - 4 - Looked out of his depth at left back, didn't have the ability to make himself count in the attacking third.</p>
<p id="orgApU">Chiesa - 7 - Fiorentina’s best player, was the outlet for Fiorentina for most of the game, his rawness complimenting his fearless performance. What a star he is.</p>
<p id="0Bj2ie">Vecino - 4 - Didn’t drive at the midfield as well as he so often does, sub-par performance,</p>
<p id="IzcjWn">Valero - 5 - Sprayed the ball around with ease, didn’t impact the game as much as he would have hoped..</p>
<p id="0QnsNs">Cristóforo - 1 - How. Is. Cristoforo. A. Professional. Footballer. *Rage intensifies*.</p>
<p id="az22l2">Iličić - 2 - Mr. Anonymous Cristóforo’s partner in crime, Mr. Incognito. What a load of garbage.</p>
<p id="zUq760">Kalinić - 4 - Grabbed the goal after showing good anticipation and instinct, however failed to link well and really involve himself.</p>
<h1 id="SbHd5b">Onwards and Upwards...</h1>
<p id="NI6Xlh">Next up is Borussia Mönchengladbach back in Florence, a game in which Fiorentina will be hoping to pick themselves up and capitalise on Bernardeschi’s fantastic free kick which gave them the advantage in Germany. We need you Berna...</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/20/14664218/milan-2-1-fiorentina-recap-player-ratings-kalinic-milan-deulofeu-milan-chiesa-serie-a-goaljstevensfootbal2017-02-19T20:58:29+01:002017-02-19T20:58:29+01:00Milan vs Fiorentina: Lineups and Match Thread
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<img alt="SS Lazio v AC Milan - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IvpYXQDb-2Xd_ylImzfA0iZU73w=/0x0:2976x1984/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53313595/635151444.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Join us as Fiorentina takes on Montella’s boys in the San Siro.</p> <h3 id="APn0Qk">Late news</h3>
<p id="PCGsGM">Carlos Salcedo is back! As is Josip Ilicic and Sebastian Cristoforo! </p>
<h3 id="r5FyHW">Lineups</h3>
<p id="3zFyyR"><strong>Milan</strong>: Donnarumma, Deulofeu, Suso, Gomez, Abate, Vangioni, Sosa, Paletta, Kucka, Bacca, Pasalic</p>
<p id="wM4MaA"><strong>Fiorentina</strong>: Tatarusanu, Gonzalo, Astori, Sanchez, Salcedo, Vecino, Cristoforo, Chiesa, Kalinic, Borja, Ilicic</p>
<h3 id="u6YxNq">How to watch</h3>
<p id="jvhVW2"><strong>TV</strong>: RAI International is showing this in North America, for local options check here.</p>
<p id="wgYwBJ"><strong>Online</strong>: There are many legal streaming options, check <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2028522/milan-vs-fiorentina/">here</a> to find one. Other than that, you know the rules by now.</p>
<p id="Nh2fBv">Forza Viola!</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/19/14663632/milan-vs-fiorentina-lineups-and-match-threadNolan KB2017-02-18T00:05:53+01:002017-02-18T00:05:53+01:00Milan vs Fiorentina: Preview
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<img alt="Pescara Calcio v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7DqhQ7hpNOhuyzd5TiBMoAzB-Ko=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53298693/640832474.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hands off, Vinny. | Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All kinds of good storylines in this one, but the biggest is that the Viola have to win.</p> <p id="64mauH">Pick your narrative: <span>Vincenzo Montella</span> and Mati Fernandez host the Gigliati. <span>Riccardo Montolivo</span> remains injured for a match against his former team. <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> try to cope without <span>Federico Bernardeschi</span>. 7th and 8th place battle for 3 points that could go a long way to seeing them into Europe next season. This should be a good game.</p>
<p id="3oOTng">In Florence earlier this season, these two finished scoreless. In their last 10 meetings, Fiorentina are W5 D3 L2. The ref for this one is Paolo Valeri, who always seems to officiate matches that the Viola draw.</p>
<p id="mL5z8t">The match will be played on <strong>Sunday, 19 February 2017</strong>, at <strong>8:45 CET/2:45 PM EST</strong>, at the San Siro in Milan.</p>
<h2 id="b5eC1q">Fiorentina</h2>
<p id="wXcCeg">Fresh off a slightly lucky Europa win at Borussia Monchengladbach, the Viola are probably brimming with belief right now. They’ve gone W3 D1 L1 in their past 5 Serie A matches as well and are starting to round into form as a club that really ought to chase the likes of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta">Atalanta</a> out of the European places.</p>
<p id="0j3Iy8">To do so, though, they need to sort out their league form, and <span>Paulo Sousa</span> will have to do it without Federico Bernardeschi, who’s suspended for yellow card accumulation. That should open a spot for Josip Ilicic, who’ll be keen to show that he’s still an important part of the squad. We could also see <span>Riccardo Saponara</span> fill in for <span>Borja Valero</span>, although it’s more likely that the former Milan man will come off the bench against his old side.</p>
<p id="bKHtm5">Sousa will probably send out his usual 3-4-2-1, although there’s an outside possibility that he could switch to a 4-3-3, pulling Valero farther back into the midfield and sacrificing Ilicic in exchange for Cristian Tello. Expect to see a lot of through passes to Kalinic, who’ll test the unfamiliar centerback pairing he’s up against by working the channels and trying to get in behind.</p>
<h2 id="aWr08a">Milan</h2>
<p id="Q8f4Ft">The Rossoneri have slumped to W1 D1 L3 in their past 5, with the most recent a 1-1 draw against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> which required some late luck to split the spoils. Milan fans are probably now starting to find out about Montella what Viola fans already knew: that his tactical inflexibility/stubbornness often leads to sudden runs of poor form.</p>
<p id="ejuWFt">Montella’s cause isn’t helped by a staggering array of injuries: centerback <span>Alessio Romagnoli</span> (hamstring), fullbacks Mattia de Sciglio (ankle) and <span>Luca Antonelli</span> (calf), and midfielders Riccardo Montolivo (knee) and <span>Giacomo Bonaventura</span> (hamstring) are all out for this one, while centerback <span>Rodrigo Ely</span> (leg) and rightback Davide Calabria (leg) may miss out as well. As a result, Gustavo Gomez and Leonel Vangioni will probably come into the defense, while Jose Sosa and Manuel Locatelli will both hope for a start in midfield.</p>
<p id="HBXDTu">This being Montella, we know more or less what to expect. It’ll be a 4-3-3 with a nippy, technical tridente and a midfield that will look to pass the ball around neatly. The pace of <span>Ignazio Abate</span> and Suso down the right will probably be Milan’s greatest threat, although <span>Carlos Bacca</span> runs the channels well and Gerard Deulofeu is capable of magic. Due to the injuries, though, this group isn’t as secure at the back as Cousin Vinny would like.</p>
<h2 id="aXzRnm">Possible lineups</h2>
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<cite><a href="http://www.sharemytactics.com/">Share My Tactics</a></cite>
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<h2 id="NNkiT7">How to watch</h2>
<p id="ECGAN5"><strong>TV</strong>: If you have RAI, this is the time to fire it up.</p>
<p id="uUUIBh"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2028522/milan-vs-fiorentina/">Here</a> is your list of safe, secure, and reliable streams.</p>
<h2 id="VfdofA">Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department</h2>
<p id="o9Grju">Largely due to the crisis at the back for <a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com/">AC Milan</a>, I like Fiorentina to win this one. The Viola should have acres of space on the left, as Chiesa will pin back journeyman Leonel Vangioni. As Deulofeu is famously disinterested in defending, Ilicic should find lots of space in his preferred inside right position, which will mess with Montella’s shape considerably as his players scramble to cover. I’m calling 2-0 to the good guys, with Kalinic and Ilicic on target.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/2/18/14650064/ac-milan-fiorentina-serie-a-preview-predict-lineup-prediction-how-to-watch-live-online-streamThe Tito