Viola Nation - Chievo Verona vs Fiorentina: Serie A 2017/2018A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2017-10-03T00:28:26+02:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/161701072017-10-03T00:28:26+02:002017-10-03T00:28:26+02:00Chievo 2-1 Fiorentina: Recap and player ratings
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<img alt="AC Chievo Verona v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mIRFvIym2FyDv_lXEJNzODvWv_I=/0x0:2513x1675/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56961203/856220398.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>And it was all going so well. | Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Blllllllllleeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrccccccccchhhhhhhhh.</p> <h2 id="QuBSMl">Pre-match</h2>
<p id="VAGQr3">Both Stefano Piolo and <span>Rolando Maran</span> rolled out their expected XIs, eliciting groans from <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> fans when they saw that <span>Marco Benassi</span> and Cyril Théréau were starting again, with playmakers <span>Riccardo Saponara</span> and Valentine Eysseric glued to the bench.</p>
<h2 id="GR1AGZ">First half</h2>
<p id="G0Nn8r">The visitors got out to a roaring start, as Théréau broke down the left wing, cut back onto his stronger right foot, and floated in a cross. Giovanni Simeone brilliantly split markers <span>Dario Dainelli</span> and <span>Alessandro Gamberini</span> and surged upwards, glancing the ball home past a helpless <span>Stefano Sorrentino</span> in just the 6th minute. It was his second goal of the year and put the Viola firmly in the driver’s seat.</p>
<p id="bwYtPI">Although the Gigliati produced a few more attacking moments in the early going, it soon became clear that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/chievo-verona">Chievo Verona</a> was going to control the match by flooding the center and overloading Jordan Veretout and <span>Milan Badelj</span> to win the ball, and then play directly into the strikers. At 19’, this approach nearly paid dividends as <span>Cristiano Biraghi</span> badly misjudged a long ball into the box and let it drop for Manuel Pucciarelli, but <span>Davide Astori</span> was on hand to sweep the ball clear. It was a warning of things to come, though, as Biraghi completely lost <span>Lucas Castro</span> at the back post 8 minutes later, and the Argentine had time to bring the ball down, settle himself, and smash home from point blank range to level the score.</p>
<p id="OGkuXp">The match really opened up at this point, with both teams galloping up and down the pitch mostly unopposed as the midfields scuffled with each other. For all the running, though, there weren’t many chances until 5 minutes to time, when Veretout swung in a free kick from the wing that Simeone again beat everyone to, but this time Sorrentino managed a full-extension dive to palm away the header. That was the last significant action of the half. It’s worth noting, too, that Federico Chiesa injured his knee off the ball towards the end and needed treatment, but tried to soldier on.</p>
<h2 id="p1EuFP">Second half</h2>
<p id="JZaMES">Any momentum the Viola may have gathered before the break was stopped dead as the Donkeys doubled their lead in the 46th minute. Once again, Biraghi lost Castro at the back post, and the midfielder softly floated his header over a flat-footed Marco Sportiello. It might have been an attempt to cut it back rather than a shot, but nobody in Verona would complain.</p>
<p id="7S2sHg">Fiorentina tried to seize back the initiative and did an okay job of pinning Chievo back, but the Donkeys never seemed very threatened as their opponents cluelessly looked for a way through. Instead of finding one, though, they resorted to a series of thoughtless crosses and optimistic long shots, none of which found their way to Sorrentino’s net. Chiesa had to leave after his knee became too painful to play on, so we got another cameo from Gil Dias, and Saponara entered for Théréau before the hour mark, but while both had the right idea, neither had the key to unlock the defense.</p>
<p id="QdEZvD">That’s how the remainder of the match played out. Sportiello had a smart save, but Chievo rarely bothered to venture forward and trusted that Fiorentina would waste their chances. Some poor finishing from <span>Khouma Babacar</span> and some woeful free kicks from Biraghi proved the approach correct. Although the teams argued and shoved about some hard fouling towards the end, the Viola couldn’t channel that fire into anything productive, and the whistle eventually blew down another crushing, boring, and frustrating 90 minutes.</p>
<h2 id="hvZW9T">Post-match</h2>
<p id="yq9a1m">First of all, we’d all better pray that Chiesa’s injury is light enough for him to recover fully over the international break. After that, let’s maybe pray that Dias and Saponara or Eysseric feature from the start every match. Dias’ width and ability to beat his marker opened things up and would have stretched Chievo considerably had he been opposite Chiesa, and the Cheese did a nice job of offering a simple forward option and shifting the ball neatly around the attacking third. While neither was particularly memorable, they both offered the sort of competence in their respective attacking roles that Théréau and Benassi don’t.</p>
<h2 id="qQZR86">Player ratings</h2>
<p id="oXznOM"><strong>Sportiello</strong>—6: One decent save, but maybe could have done better on Castro’s second goal.</p>
<p id="Xujxmr"><strong>Gaspar</strong>—6: Towards the end, often looked like the player most likely to produce some attacking magic. On the other hand, both assists came from his inability to stay in front of his man.</p>
<p id="FEHp8o"><strong>Pezzella</strong>—7: Stood tall in defense and stonewalled his opponent for all 90 minutes. Not at fault for any of the goals.</p>
<p id="gBW6zZ"><strong>Astori</strong>—6.5: Passed the ball quite nicely and hit some really good long ones through the midfield or out to the wings. Dinged because he didn’t organize his backline as well as he should have as the leader and ranking veteran of the team.</p>
<p id="EQrDPA"><strong>Biraghi</strong>—2: Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong for him today did. He’s shown, though, that he’s better than this, so we’re not too worried in the long term. But yikes, this was a horror show.</p>
<p id="NyNkwb"><strong>Badelj</strong>—5: Had a couple of really bad misses and didn’t use the ball as quickly as we’re used to seeing. Was solid defensively, but overrun by sheer numbers.</p>
<p id="45iXvR"><strong>Veretout</strong>—5.5: Played some nice passes, but was rather lost on defense at times. Also needs to take the set pieces from Biraghi when they’re of the shooting variety.</p>
<p id="OAm37n"><strong>Chiesa</strong>—5.5: Was actually rather quiet for most of the night, although he did manage one reasonably threatening shot. He’s too young to expect him to win every game, week in and week out, so no biggie.</p>
<p id="FcF7ig"><strong>Benassi</strong>—4: Showed the occasional sign of life and did well to track back a few times, but remains badly overmatched as a number 10. He was his usual invisible self.</p>
<p id="niqsY9"><strong>Théréau</strong>—5.5: Got the assist, yeah, but was otherwise almost entirely invisible. Demonstrated again that he doesn’t have the pace or the technique to consistently beat his man out wide.</p>
<p id="4Hjqmx"><strong>Simeone</strong>—7: The goal was wonderfully taken and he was only denied a second by a tremendous Sorrentino save. That said, he was otherwise almost entirely anonymous. Needs some creators behind him to set him up; otherwise, what’s the point of having a poacher?</p>
<p id="dX4smR"><strong>Dias</strong>—6: Dribbled by his marker a few times and even forged some half-chances out of nothing. While he remains a very raw prospect, he’s always a dangerous character out there.</p>
<p id="8hvq8h"><strong>Saponara</strong>—6: Wasn’t spectacular by any means and didn’t create a lot of chances, but his composure in the attacking third was miles ahead of Benassi. Drifted between the lines and neatly kept moves going, which is what a number 10 should do. The results will come if he keeps getting minutes.</p>
<p id="cj1RDP"><strong>Babacar</strong>—5: Missed a pretty dang good chance to equalize, marking the second match in a row he’s whiffed on a sitter. You don’t want to judge him from two performances, but it’s awfully easy to think that his bench role is affecting his confidence and thus his finishing.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/10/3/16401924/chievo-verona-2-1-fiorentina-serie-a-match-recap-review-report-player-ratingsThe Tito2017-10-01T17:10:38+02:002017-10-01T17:10:38+02:00Chievo Verona 2 - 1 Fiorentina: Full Time and Highlights
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<img alt="AC Chievo Verona v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/czVUSBZ2sryn7Igkgv8UMA-nknU=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56933503/856250318.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yea we feel the same Giovanni<br> | Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>At least the green kits looked nice</p> <h1 id="m3eKcc">Pre Match</h1>
<p id="Dj4h87">No real crazy news to start off the game. The starting squad looks pretty similar to what fans have seen from <span>Stefano Pioli</span> so far.</p>
<h1 id="ihvFFo">First Half</h1>
<p id="zjKTYh">In the 6th minute, <span>Cyril Thereau</span> laid a cross in the middle that found Giovanni Simeone’s head into the back of the net. <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> had a 1-0 lead. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out this awesome video: Giovanni Simeone Goal vs Chievo (0-1) <a href="https://t.co/K85aGtrNqb">https://t.co/K85aGtrNqb</a></p>— WF Productions (@productionsWF) <a href="https://twitter.com/productionsWF/status/914478376102060033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="3k2qgO">In the 26th minute, Chievo answered with a goal of their own by forward <span>Lucas Castro</span> to tie the match at 1-1.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out this awesome video: Lucas Castro Goal vs Fiorentina (1-1) <a href="https://t.co/eEdhRVcGBI">https://t.co/eEdhRVcGBI</a></p>— Every Sport (@EverySport100) <a href="https://twitter.com/EverySport100/status/914483489512263680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2017</a>
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<h1 id="u829Uz">Second Half</h1>
<p id="AhS4yK">Just when you think Fiorentina was going to be ok, Lucas Castro scores again....again! This is is second goal of the season after the first he scored earlier in the match.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-video">
<p lang="it" dir="ltr">ChievoVerona 2-1 Fiorentina<br>46' Lucas Castro<a href="https://t.co/S3V3koIGF0">https://t.co/S3V3koIGF0</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SofaScore?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SofaScore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIO</a></p>— Theo Roux (@theoroux10) <a href="https://twitter.com/theoroux10/status/914492298356051968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2017</a>
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<p id="cM8KAL">Biraghi should never take another free kick ever again in his life. Just a general observation.</p>
<h1 id="LR6thR">Full Time</h1>
<p id="NloVeI">Fiorentina: Goals: Simeone (6’) Bookings: Vertout (81’)</p>
<p id="z6ZwFr"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/chievo-verona">Chievo Verona</a>: Castro (25’, 46’) Bookings: Tomovic (8’) Radovanovic (61’)</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/10/1/16392166/chievo-verona-2-1-fiorentina-video-highlights-goal-simeone-castroKyle_Zwiazek2017-10-01T15:01:51+02:002017-10-01T15:01:51+02:00Chievo vs Fiorentina: Lineups and match thread
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v SS Lazio - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Gu8aBs2avWr9OL878SEcLdzXDjw=/0x0:1998x1332/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56932679/682744748.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>He’s back. | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Time to right the ship. Again.</p> <h2 id="vgBipX">Late news</h2>
<p id="lmjQB1">Nope.</p>
<h2 id="vAp0Mf">Lineups</h2>
<p id="8cfGxS"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/chievo-verona">Chievo Verona</a> (4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Tomovic, Dainelli, Gamberini, Cacciatore; Hetemaj, Radovanovic, Castro; Birsa; Pucciarelli, Inglese</p>
<p id="yJjTlt"><a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> (4-2-3-1): Sportiello; Gaspar, Pezzella, Astori, Biraghi; Badelj, Veretout; Chiesa, Benassi, Thereau; Simeone</p>
<h2 id="iH7ga9">How to watch</h2>
<p id="pTvZm8"><strong>TV</strong>: Nope.</p>
<p id="6eKdqI"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2547477/chievo-vs-fiorentina/">Here</a> is a list of safe, reliable, and legal viewing options. Any links to illegal streams in the comments will be deleted, and the posters will be banned. Give us a follow on Twitter if you’re keen to hear us live Tweet the match. Otherwise, keep it in the comments here.</p>
<p id="pxpLfL"><strong>Forza Viola!</strong></p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/10/1/16392142/chievo-verona-vs-fiorentina-lineups-match-thread-how-to-watch-online-officialThe Tito2017-09-30T02:00:02+02:002017-09-30T02:00:02+02:00Chievo vs Fiorentina: Preview
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v Atalanta BC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U-vDKK0Xqg5ZxRr7nOoRLaftskI=/0x0:2997x1998/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56917689/853276238.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Pioli has the suit, but does he have the ideas to turn around the season? | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fiorentina once again hopes to get their season on track as they return to Verona, this time to take on the Flying Donkeys.</p> <p id="0RZHKg">After a crushing, controversial draw against an <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta">Atalanta</a> team that quite frankly outplayed them, <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> are set to return to Verona, <a href="https://www.violanation.com/2017/9/11/16284398/hellas-verona-0-5-fiorentina-recap-score-official-player-ratings-review">the site of their most enjoyable moment of the season so far</a>, this time to take on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/chievo-verona">Chievo Verona</a>. The 11th place Flying Donkeys (ahead of Fiorentina right now in the standings) are inconsistent but should be a significantly tougher test than city rivals <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona">Hellas Verona</a> were.</p>
<p id="9t590q">The match will be played on <strong>Sunday, 1 October 2017</strong>, at <strong>2:00 PM GMT/9:00 AM EST</strong> at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi</p>
<h2 id="eO18mD">Chievo</h2>
<p id="A05KSf">Rolando Maran’s Flying Donkeys have been road warriors so far this season, having only accumulated a single point at home so far, with their other seven points coming from away matches. A counter attacking side strong on set pieces, Chievo’s attack comes from the talent of capable players like <span>Lucas Castro</span> and Roberto Inglese.</p>
<p id="nno141">Left back <span>Massimo Gobbi</span> is still recovering from an injury, preventing Chievo from fielding an all Fiorentina veteran defensive lineup alongside Nenad Tomovic, <span>Alessandro Gamberini</span>, and Dario Dainelli. Veteran forward <span>Riccardo Meggiorini</span> also remains out following a horrible injury at the end of last season.</p>
<h2 id="pG2OaI">Fiorentina</h2>
<p id="69J0jT">Stefano Pioli’s Viola side took a step back last week - following a hard fought victory against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/bologna">Bologna</a> and a good defensive display in their loss against <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a>, Fiorentina got significantly outplayed by a high flying Atalanta side, although they almost stole the win thanks to Federico Chiesa and Marco Sportiello. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, if only due to dubious referee decisions. Nevertheless, Fiorentina were lucky to be in that position to begin with.</p>
<p id="ePFtAF">Fiorentina continue to look for an attacking midfielder who can successfully tie the midfield with the forwards. Although Pioli continues to insist on playing <span>Marco Benassi</span> in that role, he finally dropped him last week in favor of Cyril Thereau. The return of <span>Riccardo Saponara</span> will hopefully provide the missing link for that role.</p>
<p id="dmf1QB">In the defense, with <span>Cristiano Biraghi</span> recovering from an injury he picked up last match, we will likely get the Maxi Olivera experience, which will mean less attacks from the left flank.</p>
<h2 id="tnONqM">Possible Lineups:</h2>
<p id="gDIkPW"><strong>Chievo </strong>(4-3-1-2): Sorrentino; Tomovic, Dainelli, Gamberini, Cacciatore; Castro, Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Birsa; Inglese, Pucciarelli</p>
<p id="RNjg24"><strong>Fiorentina </strong>(4-2-3-1): Sportiello; Bruno Gaspar, Pezzella, Astori, Maxi Olivera; Badelj, Vertout; Benassi, Thereau, Chiesa; Simeone</p>
<h2 id="5qauTA">How to watch</h2>
<p id="u80cqg"><strong>TV</strong>: This is not gonna happen, at least not in the Anglosphere. Look for local options <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2547477/chievo-vs-fiorentina/">here</a>.</p>
<p id="MUWFIc"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2547477/chievo-vs-fiorentina/">Here’s</a> your list of legal streams, increasingly both common and high quality.</p>
<h2 id="lH6zCL">Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department</h2>
<p id="iifcns">Chievo are greater than the sum of their parts, but haven’t been particularly convincing at home this year. Not really expecting a classic here but even a 1-0 Fiorentina win would be very nice right now.</p>
<p id="zUNSGQ"><strong>Forza Viola!</strong></p>
<p id="LLOs1A"></p>
https://www.violanation.com/2017/9/30/16384172/chievo-vs-fiorentina-previewNolan KB