Viola Nation - Lazio vs Fiorentina: Serie A 2018-2019A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2018-10-07T21:00:01+02:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/177104072018-10-07T21:00:01+02:002018-10-07T21:00:01+02:00Lazio 1-0 Fiorentina: Recap and player ratings
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<img alt="SS Lazio v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/x-JnPWJn_9FMkT_dpRF-XTJ44ck=/8x0:4256x2832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61681557/1047104704.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fiorentina miss a massive opportunity to show their credentials as La Viola lose by a solitary Ciro Immobile goal.</p> <h2 id="HbHrLm">Pre Match</h2>
<p id="GRwma0">The hosts were looking for a much improved performance after a disappointing midweek defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League. For <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> it was a test to see how good this Viola team were at the Olimpico facing a strong <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> side.</p>
<h2 id="xEF6HB">First Half</h2>
<p id="cJqOso">Lazio started the game on the front foot and had a sighter very early on through Marco Parolo. The midfielders volley on the edge the box had Alban Lafont scrambling but he seemed to have his near post covered as the shot whistled wide.</p>
<p id="2RVNcM">Despite a shaky start, The Viola had asserted themselves on the game, passing the ball with conviction but just lacking that golden touch in the final third.</p>
<p id="fMgUJF">Half an an hour into the game Fiorentina missed a glorious chance to take the lead. Wallace played it across his own box with no Lazio player in sight, It fell to <span>Marco Benassi</span> who was clean through on goal. Benassi attempted to chip <span>Thomas Strakosha</span> but the keeper saved well to keep the game scoreless. </p>
<p id="cK13AA">On a Lazio counter Lafont came way out of his goal to head the ball away, in the process clashed with Lucas Leiva, who was struck in the face with his arm. The Brazilian was left with a bloodied face, but referee Daniele Orsato gave no card to the Frenchman.</p>
<p id="yU13OS">Lazio’s biggest threat <span>Ciro Immobile</span>, scored his first ever goal against Fiorentina. The corner whipped in was flicked on by Radu and met by Immobile whose shot was just enough to beat Lafont who got a hand to it. No doubt <span>Stefano Pioli</span> will have been furious with his side’s marking.</p>
<p id="TFJ3Xr">Fiorentina had little goal scoring chances but Pjaca almost changed that. The Croatian got past a few Lazio defenders but just couldn’t pick out Federico Chiesa in the box who would have had a great chance.</p>
<p id="nrHESy">Alban Lafont was having an incredibly nervous game, the keeper dropped a free kick and it fell to Caicedo. Gerson just managed to deny the striker from getting a meaningful strike on goal.</p>
<p id="PCF8dY">Not long before the break it looked as if Fiorentina should have had a stonewall penalty. Giovanni Simeone was clearly brought down by <span>Francesco Acerbi</span> in the box. However, the only reason which made sense to why it wasn’t given, was that Cholito looked to have strayed offside.</p>
<h2 id="Wd2aSV">Second half</h2>
<p id="TNq7dH">Fiorentina had started the half the better, <span>Cristiano Biraghi</span> whipped in a beautiful ball to Chiesa but the winger just couldn’t get past Acerbi to fire home. It was a promising start from the away side as the Viola looked to get back in the game.</p>
<p id="tkd3ye">After some fine work from Chiesa down the left and breezed past Wallace, he pulled it back to Biraghi who fired towards goal. Sadly, for the wingback, it was straight at Strakosha who comfortably saved. </p>
<p id="LcN0UU">Chiesa was giving Wallace an absolutely torrid time, he again got past the defender. The ball found its way to Veretout who laid it off for Milenkovic however, the Serbian’s shot flew over the bar.</p>
<p id="bKcdFh">Midway through the second half, neither side was taking control of the game. Lazio were playing without pressure, and with the goal advantage they were happy to sit back and let Fiorentina attempt to break them down. </p>
<p id="z1wQCG">Fiorentina could have easily scored from a corner with less than ten minutes to play. Veretout whipped in a fantastic ball in and it looked as if Vitor Hugo would head home but he didn’t get the contact he was looking for. The ball came out to Chiesa who danced his way past several Lazio players but his curling shot wasn’t strong enough to beat the Lazio stopper. </p>
<p id="DRtH21">With less than five to play, The Viola should have levelled. Simione raced through and played it to substitute Riccardo Sottil but the youngster’s shot was blocked by <span>Stefan Radu</span>.</p>
<p id="vCepQf">On the counter, Lazio almost scored the goal to seal the game. Correa’s shot on the angle was well saved by the acrobatic Lafont. </p>
<p id="8bkdaL">Stefano Pioli will have wondered how on earth his side were losing. Edimilson Fernandes was clean through down the left side, instead of shooting he tried to pick out a teammate and the cross was cleared. It was The Viola’s best chance of the game, although you could argue it fell to the wrong man. </p>
<h2 id="RpghkU">Post-match </h2>
<p id="GNutBV">The game was there for the taking for Fiorentina and it should have at least been a draw for the Viola. What is worrying though, when Fiorentina need something from the bench there aren’t many attacking options who are going to change the game. Corvino needs to add an experienced striker who will come on and change games. Scratch that, just bring <span>Khouma Babacar</span> back. This was a big learning experience for Pioli’s young side, hopefully, they’ll be better for it. </p>
<h2 id="w6sTCF">Player ratings</h2>
<p id="kxbzZc"><strong>Alban Lafont: 5-</strong> He really struggled at times and looked very shaky with the ball at his feet. He’s only 19 and learning on the job but, he's still got some work to do.</p>
<p id="ix59kp"><strong>Nikola Milenkovic: 6- </strong>Not his best game but he was far from poor. Had some troubles with the Lazio’s left sided players.</p>
<p id="cagqZp"><strong>German Pezzella: 7-</strong> He read the game so well, really is a fantastic centre half. Was a shame that he was on the losing side.</p>
<p id="O4UiUh"><strong>Vitor Hugo: 6-</strong> Not quite as good as Pezzella but had a decent game managing Immobile.</p>
<p id="PyCm15"><strong>Cristiano Biraghi: 7-</strong> Barring Chiesa was Fiorentina’s most creative player. His crossing was brilliant at times.</p>
<p id="uzLT8C"><strong>Gerson: 6- </strong>He started the game very well but faded as it went on. Was asked to play in a more advanced role and he didn't really effect the game. </p>
<p id="8PA1li"><strong>Jordan Veretout: 6.5- </strong>A good game from the Frenchman, it’s just a shame that the players further up the pitch couldn’t get the goals</p>
<p id="fO9YvD"><strong>Marco Benassi: 5-</strong> Missed a brilliant chance at 0-0, was hauled off at half time after a poor first half. </p>
<p id="9wNoFQ"><strong>Marko Pjaca: 5-</strong> Never really got going in the game. A frustrating performance from a player looked like he was almost going to do something special but never quite managed it. </p>
<p id="yv1ypH"><strong>Federico Chiesa: 7-</strong> He was the only player who was going to get a goal. Really tried to make something happen but like the team it wasn’t his day.</p>
<p id="n1Ro2G"><strong>Giovanni Simeone: 6-</strong> Came into the game more and more as it went on but in his fairness he was starved of service.</p>
<p id="aAfHQb"><strong>Bench</strong></p>
<p id="8BolkZ"><strong>Edimilson Fernandes: 5-</strong> Ahhh Fernandes, he should have done so much better with his chance late on. Should have shot instead of looking for a pass. </p>
<p id="GFMQOV"><strong>Valentin Eysseric: 5-</strong> Struggled to create much after coming on for Gerson.</p>
<p id="cekv5p"><strong>Riccardo Sottil: 5-</strong> Nice to see the young man come on but struggled against the experienced Radu. </p>
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https://www.violanation.com/2018/10/7/17947700/lazio-1-0-fiorentina-recap-and-player-ratings-ciro-immobile-serie-a-footballAWMiller152018-10-07T17:00:35+02:002018-10-07T17:00:35+02:00Lazio 1-0 Fiorentina: Highlights
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<img alt="SS Lazio v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Xp1ICZBSBszFmU8PGWhCwZ_f7Ic=/0x0:4248x2832/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61681287/1047104764.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>One day Fiorentina will win away from home. | Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fiorentina remain winless away from home, as Fiorentina drop points in the capital. </p> <h2 id="wx0FRq">Pre-Match</h2>
<p id="UfgGNJ"><a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> went into the game looking for the teams first victory on the road and played the team as expected. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> brought in <span>Stefan Radu</span> and Felipe Caicedo came into the side. </p>
<h2 id="rf7K2q">First Half</h2>
<p id="s3CeEg"><span>Ciro Immobile</span> opened the scoring with a back post header. The ball was flicked on by Stefan Radu, but the marking from the Viola defenders was simply not good enough.</p>
<div id="6UMQSW"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MoQKDtz-rqA?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<h2 id="0i9q7s">Second Half</h2>
<p id="7SL7vt">Fiorentina were the better side in the second half but didn’t test <span>Thomas Strakosha</span> enough. In the final few moments Fiorentina should have equizled through Edimilson Fernandes, but the midfielder made a poor decision in crossing the ball.</p>
<h2 id="CsZzVQ">Full Time</h2>
<p id="DrthSR"><strong>Lazio 1-0 Fiorentina</strong></p>
<p id="7WcAFy"><strong>Goals: </strong>Ciro Immobile (37)</p>
<p id="jFKjhZ"><strong>Yellow Cards: </strong>Senad Lulic (26) Felipe Caicedo (34) Marko Pjaca (35) Gerson (45) Adam Marusic (52) Joaquin Correa (69) Vitor Hugo (70) Thomas Strakosha (82)</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2018/10/7/17947696/lazio-fiorentina-highlights-goals-serie-a-football-immobileAWMiller152018-10-07T14:14:56+02:002018-10-07T14:14:56+02:00Lazio vs Fiorentina: Lineups and how to watch
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v Atalanta BC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d_zM0LOBtKV4UZkxFsuHoDpEvrE=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61680431/1043472130.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Da boyz. | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Join us in the comments as we absolutely don’t stress about this one.</p> <h2 id="IWj2L3">Late news</h2>
<p id="jvwocx">Simone Inzaghi opts for Felipe Caicedo up front instead of Luis Alberto and brings veteran Stefan Radu back into the defense. Stefano Pioli, meanwhile, has set out his expected XI.</p>
<h2 id="FuJTJO">Lineups</h2>
<p id="KAuikh"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio"><strong>Lazio</strong></a> (3-5-2): Strakosha; Wallace, Acerbi, Radu; Marušić, Parolo, Leiva, Milinković-Savić, Lulić; Caicedo, Immobile</p>
<p id="nonjAe"><a href="https://www.violanation.com/"><strong>Fiorentina</strong></a> (4-3-3): Lafont; Milenković, Pezzella, Vitor Hugo, Biraghi; Benassi, Veretout, Gerson; Chiesa, Simeone, Pjaca</p>
<h2 id="85IFTw">How to watch</h2>
<p id="ibS111"><strong>TV</strong>: Depending on where you’re located, BeIn Sports or RAI may have this one for you. However, you should check <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3071944/lazio-vs-fiorentina/">here</a> for the full international television listings.</p>
<p id="mrr1I2"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3071944/lazio-vs-fiorentina/">Here</a> is your list of safe, reliable, and legal streams. Please don’t request or post links to illegal streams in the comments, because I really don’t want to ban anybody. </p>
<p id="sMcEKf"><strong>Forza Viola!</strong></p>
https://www.violanation.com/2018/10/7/17946296/lazio-fiorentina-serie-a-official-lineups-watch-online-stream-match-comment-threadThe Tito2018-10-06T14:07:10+02:002018-10-06T14:07:10+02:00Lazio vs Fiorentina: Preview
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v Atalanta BC - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ywfpE-VlozSXO_3CygH2WBKaa0I=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61673277/1043850530.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Fully recovered and ready to go. | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Fiorentina have yet another chance to get their first win away from the Franchi.</p> <p id="IM2Q8w">Fresh off a controversial 2-0 win over <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta">Atalanta</a>, <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> hit the road again and head for the capital, where they’ll take on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a>. In 148 meetings, the Viola have managed a record of W49 D42 L57 with a -13 goal difference. Over their last 10 matches in Serie A, they’re a dismal W2 D2 L6, including a wild <a href="https://www.violanation.com/2018/4/18/17253836/fiorentina-lazio-highlights-goals-red-card-drama-controversy-serie-a-veretout-alberto">3-4 loss</a> in Florence last year (featuring a Jordan Veretout hat trick) and a <a href="https://www.violanation.com/2017/11/26/16701436/lazio-1-1-fiorentina-recap-and-player-ratings-var-serie-a-babacar-goal-drama-italian-football">1-1</a> in the reverse fixture.</p>
<p id="GYNj74">The referee for this one is Daniele Orsato of Vicenza, who’s considered one of Italy’s top referees; he’s in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> rotation and handles international matches as well. In 4 Serie A matches this year, he’s handed out 15 yellow cards, but nary a red or a penalty. Under his watch, the Viola are W9 D7 L11 in the league. Most recently, he oversaw the <a href="https://www.violanation.com/2018/4/16/17242682/fiorentina-0-0-spal-match-review-recap-player-ratings">scoreless draw</a> against SPAL that snapped the record-setting Viola run last spring. In the ony Fiorentina-Lazio match he’s ever reffed ended <a href="https://www.violanation.com/2008/3/22/3603940/fiorentina-1-lazio-0-ill-take-it-and-focus-on-the-chocolate-eggs">1-0</a> to Fiorentina back in 2008 behind a Fabio Liverani-assisted <span>Giampaolo Pazzini</span> goal.</p>
<p id="ixoxMU">The match will be played on <strong>Sunday, 7 October 2018</strong>, at <strong>1:00 PM GMT/9:00 AM EST</strong> at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.</p>
<h2 id="QXL7WJ">Lazio</h2>
<p id="XEcwew">The Biancocelesti are following up an impressive campaign last year with a solid outing this time around. They sit 6th in Serie A with 12 points, compiling 4 wins and a loss in their last 5 league matches. That loss, though, was a 3-1 reversal to <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a> in the derby, and to add to their misery, they were trounced 4-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday, finishing with just 9 men. Whether these two stinging defeats lead to panic or to a renewed focus, though, remains to be seen.</p>
<p id="VMCcHc">Manager Simone Inzaghi will have most of his top players available, although LB Jordan Lukaku (knee) is out. Inzaghi will set up in his usual 3-5-2 that features <span>Ciro Immobile</span> playing as the prima punta with Luis Alberto roaming behind him and Sergej Milinković-Savić breaking forward from midfield to join the attack. Because the squad was rotated for the Europa league fixture, we’ll probably see something like Lazio’s first XI.</p>
<p id="NOqj6Z">Stylistically, the Aquilotti like to run the channels with their attackers and get their wingbacks well forward. Their defense is the weak spot, but an intelligent midfield have masked that. The attack, which was Serie A’s best last year, has rather stalled, scoring just 10 goals so far, but there’s plenty of quality in the side to burst out of the shell at any given moment. Inzaghi will want to get his attackers in space, either behind the defense or on the edge of the box to shoot, so the Viola back line and midfield will need to keep things very tight indeed.</p>
<h2 id="pWaKVm">Fiorentina</h2>
<p id="NpxpNG">Fresh off a controversial win over Atalanta which featured a glaring dive from Federico Chiesa to win a penalty, the Viola are riding high in third place with 13 points, leading both <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/sassuolo">Sassuolo</a> in goal difference. Over their past 5 matches, they’re W2 D1 L2. They’ve earned a single point away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi, though, leading to questions about whether or not they have the mindset to really challenge for a Champions League spot due to their youthful (and again, this is the youngest team in the league) mentality.</p>
<p id="KM691i"><span>Stefano Pioli</span> will have the entire squad at his disposal, which means we’ll probably see something resembling the usual first XI. The only real question is whether Marko Pjaca or Kevin Mirallas will start on the left wing, as the former seems to be at the top of the pecking order but the latter has shown some oomph off the bench. As usual, we should see the 4-3-3/3-4-3 hybrid shape that feature <span>Marco Benassi</span> moving to a wingback position on the right from central midfield, while nominal rightback Nikola Milenković tucks in to form a back 3 in attack.</p>
<p id="mJ9OAL">Given the weather—it’s been a wet couple of days in Rome and the rain looks set to continue—Pioli may eschew fancy passing in the middle even more than he usually does and hope that a member of his mobile tridente can create something against a big, clunky defender. However, Lazio is not a good team to concede too much space against, so this could become a back-and-forth affair that mostly bypasses the midfield as both teams hold high lines and wait for their opponents to slip, literally and figuratively, on the wet grass.</p>
<h2 id="yt6uh0">Possible formations</h2>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8tZrxn8eS6589uW7qcrSgeTYlv4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13225717/10072018_at_lazio.png">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="http://www.sharemytactics.com/" target="_blank">Share My Tactics</a></cite>
<figcaption>Caceres or Bastos; Pjaca or Miralllas</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="lxj01X">How to watch</h2>
<p id="ajKNUr"><strong>TV</strong>: <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3071944/lazio-vs-fiorentina/">Here</a> are the full international television listings.</p>
<p id="hL0b9G"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3071944/lazio-vs-fiorentina/">Here</a> is your list of safe, reliable, and legal streams.</p>
<h2 id="QyaHhi">Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department</h2>
<p id="Or3xw1">With the pitch likely to be soaked, this feels like a low-scoring affair. However, I’ll call it as a 0-1 to the visitors behind a scrappy Giovanni Simeone goal created by Chiesa. The real story, though, will be a heroic defensive effort from Fiorentina’s backline, which will frustrate Immobile and company despite allowing a few good chances. I really hope I’m right, as I don’t want to be surrounded by gloating Laziali all day.</p>
<p id="yZxiTP"><strong>Forza Viola!</strong></p>
https://www.violanation.com/2018/10/6/17945042/lazio-fiorentina-preview-serie-a-prediction-lineup-formation-h2h-watch-online-streamThe Tito