Viola Nation - Fiorentina vs. Roma 2015A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2015-10-26T11:00:01+01:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/93745152015-10-26T11:00:01+01:002015-10-26T11:00:01+01:00Fiorentina 1-2 Roma: Stats
<figure>
<img alt="Ugh." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/L_Eb4YPobgZmux453WiOrYX1IE8=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47515557/GettyImages-494207976.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ugh. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A third consecutive defeat by the same score is bound to raise some eyebrows. Let's have a little look-see at where it all went wrong.</p> <p>Yeah, this one hurt. Getting knocked off the top of the table at home while apparently dominating the match is not the best way to go, but at least <span>Paulo Sousa</span> can tell himself that his game plan worked and it was just the finishing that let Fiorentina down against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a>. Let's see if the stats bear that theory out. The numbers, as always, are from <a href="http://www.whoscored.com/">WhoScored</a>.
</p>
<h5>Team statistics</h5>
<p>
</p>
<table style="width:80%">
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Possession</td>
<td>Passes (short/long)</td>
<td>Passing success</td>
<td>Crosses/attempted</td>
<td>Dribbles/attempted</td>
<td>Shots (on target)</td>
<td>Shots inside/outside area</td>
<td>Tackles/attempted</td>
<td>Interceptions</td>
<td>Aerial duels won attempted</td>
<td>Fouls</td>
<td>Yellow/red cards</td>
<td>Corners</td>
<td>Offsides</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fiorentina</td>
<td>71%</td>
<td>685 (593/66)</td>
<td>88%</td>
<td>3/24</td>
<td>12/28</td>
<td>21 (4)</td>
<td>6/15</td>
<td>15/21</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>9/22</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>2/0</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Roma</td>
<td>29%</td>
<td>281 (206/65)</td>
<td>65%</td>
<td>2/10</td>
<td>6/19</td>
<td>6 (4)</td>
<td>3/3</td>
<td>24/36</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>13/22</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>6/1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h5>Player statistics</h5>
<p>
</p>
<table style="width:80%">
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Short passes/attempted</td>
<td>Long passes/attempted</td>
<td>Crosses/attempted</td>
<td>Dribbles/attempted</td>
<td>Shots (on target)</td>
<td>Shots inside/outside area</td>
<td>Touches</td>
<td>Possession lost</td>
<td>Tackles/attempted</td>
<td>Interceptions</td>
<td>Successful aerial battles</td>
<td>Fouls committed/suffered</td>
<td>Yellow/red cards</td>
<td>Offsides</td>
<td>Saves</td>
<td>Goals</td>
<td>Assists</td>
<td>Minutes</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tatarusanu</td>
<td>14/14</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Roncaglia</td>
<td>77/79</td>
<td>4/7</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>3 (0)</td>
<td>0/3</td>
<td>101</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4/4</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3/1</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gonzalo</td>
<td>65/69</td>
<td>5/12</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1/2</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>97</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4/4</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0/3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Astori</td>
<td>78/86</td>
<td>7/16</td>
<td>1/3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>115</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2/3</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Blaszczykowski</td>
<td>20/24</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vecino</td>
<td>72/82</td>
<td>3/6</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>4 (1)</td>
<td>0/4</td>
<td>93</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Badelj</td>
<td>39/45</td>
<td>6/7</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2/4</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bernardeschi</td>
<td>27/31</td>
<td>0/2</td>
<td>0/6</td>
<td>4/7</td>
<td>1 (1)</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>54</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/2</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Valero</td>
<td>59/65</td>
<td>4/6</td>
<td>0/5</td>
<td>2/3</td>
<td>1 (0)</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>84</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/2</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ilicic</td>
<td>40/48</td>
<td>2/5</td>
<td>1/5</td>
<td>2/4</td>
<td>4 (0)</td>
<td>0/4</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kalinic</td>
<td>18/18</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/3</td>
<td>4 (1)</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0/2</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rossi</td>
<td>6/8</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/3</td>
<td>2 (0)</td>
<td>0/2</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fernandez</td>
<td>15/15</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1/3</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Babacar</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>2 (1)</td>
<td>2/0</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h5>Conclusions</h5>
<p>Paulo Sousa will be frustrated with this one. Fiorentina seemed surprised when Roma came out and pressed as hard as they did in the opening minutes, repeatedly coughing up the ball in compromising places. The team's failure to get back following a corner could also be chalked up to his account. Otherwise, though, the team was fairly good. Sousa probably has good reason to be upset with the officiating in this one, but Roma only had three chances, compared to at least twice as many for Fiorentina. Hard to blame the coach when the in-form striker suddenly can't finish to save his life. In Sousa's defense, even with all the attacking substitutions he made, his team kept complete control of the game, and the players fought for a goal until the very end.</p>
<p>Quick thoughts: When the center backs fire that many long passes, long shots, and long crosses, the rest of the attack clearly isn't functioning well. The best way to take <span>Borja Valero</span> out of a game is to play very physically against him early and hope the ref lets it go; Borja gets frustrated and off his rhythm, which slows down the rest of the team. Josip Iličić spent too much time too far away from the box; while his game is based around shooting from distance, his desire to drop back and help the buildup play didn't help against a team already bunkered back and left Nikola Kalinic isolated up top. This is the first game in which Kalinic took a shot from outside the area, which ends one of my favorite streaks. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina's</a> set pieces have been quite bad recently; the inability to generate chances off the corners and free kicks the team has won is sort of mind boggling, especially with Gonzalo as a target.</p>
<p>Also, I'd like to add that Orsato had, I think, a pretty bad game, allowing a lot of overly physical play occasionally descend into recklessness. Roma certainly earned their points with a ruthlessly opportunistic attack and a determined defense, though, so I'd rather not take anything away from their performance. Anyways, it's a quick turnaround and a visit to Uncle Luca Toni and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona">Hellas Verona</a> on Wednesday. Forza Viola.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/26/9612148/fiorentina-1-2-roma-statistical-recap-analysis-serie-a-round-9The Tito2015-10-25T23:59:02+01:002015-10-25T23:59:02+01:00Fiorentina 1-2 Roma: Recap and ratings
<figure>
<img alt="Too little and too late." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fNZnoldBA1wT4R-j9jgfFRRPX8M=/0x262:1995x1592/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47514405/GettyImages-494229702.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Too little and too late. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's another rough day at the office for la Viola, as they controlled the match and took nearly three times as many shots as the more clinical Giallorossi.</p> <p>Whoo doggies. This one was a real emotional rollercoaster, and not in a good way. The pattern of the game was mostly as expected, with <a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a> controlling the ball and making chances, while <a href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">AS Roma</a> threatened sporadically on the break. The quality of finishing was the real difference between the sides, as Fiorentina had 70% possession and took more than three times as many shots in a losing effort. For those of you keeping track at home, this makes three straight defeats, and two in a row at the Franchi, as well.</p> <h5>First half</h5> <p>The game started rather frantically, with Roma closing down like made and hoping to knick an early goal, which strategy was certainly aided by referee Daniele Orsato's willingness to wave off a succession of what looked like bad fouls, including a couple on <span>Borja Valero</span> and one on Jakub Blaszczykowski. Rudi Garcia's plan worked to perfection, as la Viola were unable to clear their lines and conceded possession on the left side of their box. After a one-two with Miralem Pjanic, <span>Mohamed Salah</span> (of course) cut inside and curled one past Ciprian Tatarusanu, who seemed curiously close to his near post, for the opener in minute six.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qvnc6GhNzzk"></iframe></p> <p>Fiorentina fought back as Roma bunkered down, putting some pressure on Wojiech Szczesny's goal. The Polish keeper may have picked up a through ball slightly outside the box, but got away with it. Nikola Kalinic got in behind the defense on a long pass from <span>Facundo Roncaglia</span>, but, as Szczesny rushed out, he went for the chip and put too much on it, wasting a glorious opportunity to equalize. There were several other shots, including a Matias Vecino drive from distance that forced a sharp save, but it was Roma who struck with their first shot since the goal, catching Fiorentina out after a corner; <span>Alessandro Florenzi</span> knocked the ball forward to Gervinho, who was all alone and, with Salah, led a two-on-none counter down the field before slotting past a helpless Tatarusanu.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hFDfk3AKCc8"></iframe></p> <p>Fiorentina had a couple more shots before the end of the half, but the whistle blew on a 0-2 deficit for <span>Paulo Sousa's</span> charges, who must have been awfully discouraged to control the half and still be down by a pair.</p> <h5>Second half</h5> <p>The second half featured more of the same: a physical Roma defended with seven at all times, leaving the attacking to the front three. It nearly paid off again, as Gervinho outpaced <span>Davide Astori</span>, but Tatarusanu denied the Ivorian, and Miralem Pjanic's follow up shot was miraculously blocked on the line by Federico Bernardeschi. Fiorentina started piling on the pressure, culminating in Berna firing a one-on-one chance straight at the keeper. Kalinic missed another golden chance in the 83rd minute, skying a chance created by Giuseppe Rossi. Salah got himself carded for a dumb foul on Facundo Roncaglia and sent off for dissent in the 88th minute, but that wasn't enough, even when <span>Khouma Babacar</span> eventually latched onto a Valero pass in the box and swept it home with his left foot in stoppage time.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wcfge9zhzZc"></iframe></p> <h5>Ratings</h5> <p>Tatarusanu--6: Seemed out of position for the opener, but made a brilliant stop against Gervinho to balance it out. Distribution remains dicey.</p> <p>Roncaglia--7: Brilliant for the second game running. Roma built nothing down his side, and he should have had an assist to Kalinic. Salah was also sent off for a foul on him.</p> <p>Gonzalo--6: Marshaled Dzeko well, but left the defense disorganized on the Gervinho goal; not entirely his fault, but his responsibility.</p> <p>Astori--5.5: Both goals came from his side. Had a nice cross, but was otherwise pretty mediocre.</p> <p>Blaszczykowski--5.5: Suffered some rough play early and never seemed to recover. Solid defensively and chested down a cross for Kalinic, but otherwise anonymous.</p> <p>Vecino--6: Passed the ball reasonably well and battled in the middle. Nearly scored with a blast from distance.</p> <p>Badelj--6: Played a little higher up the pitch than usual, but was mostly his typically solid, underrated self.</p> <p>Bernardeschi--6.5: If he'd finished that chance, he'd be man of the match. Showed pace and dribbling ability, and somehow swept Pjanic's shot off the line.</p> <p>Valero--6: Assisted Babacar's goal, but seemed discomfited by Roma's physical play in midfield, especially when the fouls weren't called.</p> <p>Ilicic--5.5: Spent too much time near his own defense. It was Bad Josip today, with all the expected giveaways, but he did come close with a couple of shots from distance.</p> <p>Kalinic--5: Heavens above, just finish a chance. Yikes.</p> <p>Rossi--5.5: Seemed the likeliest to unlock the defense; set Kalinic up nicely, but Nikola couldn't finish. Can't wait to have Pepino fully fit again.</p> <p>Fernandez--5: Used as a right wingback and seemed uncomfortable. Made himself a nuisance, but didn't accomplish too much.</p> <p>Babacar--6: Got the goal, but didn't have enough time to do much else.</p> <h5>What's next</h5> <p>Well, so long, top of the table. It's been real. Here's hoping that Paulo Sousa and the lads can get it turned around against Uncle Luca Toni and his <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona" class="sbn-auto-link">Hellas Verona</a> pals on Wednesday. Until then, Forza Viola.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/25/9611476/fiorentina-1-2-roma-recap-player-ratings-serie-a-round-9The Tito2015-10-25T20:25:23+01:002015-10-25T20:25:23+01:00Fiorentina 1-2 Roma: Final score
<figure>
<img alt="Way too much of this." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yhyC--ECSf6WV0vPXw9woMfw4vQ=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47514369/GettyImages-494209516.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Way too much of this. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Stop me if you've heard this one before: Fiorentina controlled the game but wasted chances, while Roma sat back and seized their few opportunities.</p> <p>It's a 1-2 reverse at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Again. Paulo Sousa and company are probably feeling a bit discouraged that they had 70% possession and more than three times as many shots, but they only have themselves to blame after a jaw-dropping succession of missed chances. The match officials were singularly unhelpful, but all in all, this one is squarely on la Viola.</p>
<p>The goals came courtesy of Mohammad Salah in the 6th minute (of course), Gervinho in the 34th, and <span>Khouma Babacar</span> in stoppage time. <span>Facundo Roncaglia</span> and <span>Federico Bernardeschi</span> were carded for the good guys, while Edin Dzeko, <span>Alessandro Florenzi</span>, Daniele de Rossi, Wojiech Szczensny, and Salah were cautioned for the bad guys, with the latter receiving his marching orders in the 87th minute.</p>
<p>Anyways, here's what being a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> fan feels like right now:</p>
<p><iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/l41lZ4JBFUi6iPciI" width="480" height="270" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/afv-fail-americas-funniest-home-videos-l41lZ4JBFUi6iPciI">via GIPHY</a></p>
<p>Hopefully, they'll get if figured out next week against Verona. Until then, Forza Viola, no matter how futile it might seem.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/25/9611372/fiorentina-0-2-roma-serie-a-round-9The Tito2015-10-25T17:11:20+01:002015-10-25T17:11:20+01:00Fiorentina vs. Roma: Lineups and thread
<figure>
<img alt="Only another week until Roncaglia goes full werewolf." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/reD1jnc6h839M2MqDqOq1LiQ4Bw=/0x315:1995x1645/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47513107/GettyImages-493778566.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Only another week until Roncaglia goes full werewolf. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>First against second for all the marbles, at least for another week. Both clubs need a win after disappointing results in Europe. Match kicks off in an hour.</p> <p>No surprises in this one for Roma, except maybe that <span>Rudi Garcia</span> will stick with Antonio Rudiger over Leandro Castan at center back. <span>Paulo Sousa</span> has named his first-choice eleven, except that Federico Bernardeschi will start for Marcos Alonso, who's still nursing a sore thigh.</p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a></strong> (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori; Blaszczykowski, Vecino, Badelj, Bernardeschi; Ilicic, Valero; Kalinic</p>
<p><strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a></strong> (4-3-3): Szcesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Nainggolan, de Rossi, Pjanic; Gervinho, Dzeko, Salah</p>
<p><strong>Referee</strong>: Daniele Orsato</p>
<h5>How to watch</h5>
<p><strong>TV</strong>: If you're in Italy, RAI has you covered. In the UK, check BT Sport 1. Otherwise, you're pretty much out of luck.</p>
<p><strong>Online</strong>: Other live viewing options can be found <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665387/fiorentina-vs-roma/" target="_blank">here</a>. If you post illegal streams, we'll send Josip Ilicic to give you a haircut. We'll also delete them and ban you. 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>
<p>Forza Viola.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/25/9610482/fiorentina-vs-roma-lineups-how-to-watch-serie-a-october-2015-round-9The Tito2015-10-24T15:33:57+02:002015-10-24T15:33:57+02:00Fiorentina vs Roma: Preview and how to watch
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<img alt="Kalinic pays his respects to Pat Lampard after scoring another goal" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yYEUuHE79cjp81EPj82LsbM5EE4=/0x15:2390x1608/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47507145/GettyImages-493208534.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kalinic pays his respects to Pat Lampard after scoring another goal | Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Sunday's top of the table clash as leaders Fiorentina welcome Roma to Florence</p>
<div class="pullquote" align="”right”">Fiorentina vs. Roma<span>Sunday, October 25</span> <span>7:00 PM local, 1:00 PM EDT</span> <span>Stadium</span><span>Florence, Italy</span>
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<p id="paragraph0" class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">It's been a pretty terrible week, but now it's time for something a little different. After the annoyance of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a> game and the baffling daftness of the Lech Poznan tie, Roma are set to arrive for a Sunday game in Florence. With two losses in the last two games, this is a chance for <span>Paulo Sousa</span> and co. to get back on track and continue the slow, steady and probably doomed march towards the scudetto.</p>
<p>Roma versus Fiorentina has some history. As two of the cultural capitals of the western world, this is the Romans versus the Renaissance. Virgil versus Dante. Tiber versus Arno. The battle for the heart of Gabriel Batistuta. Probably some other history stuff that I'm forgetting. Basically, it's a biggie.</p>
<h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 23px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">
<br>Fiorentina</h5>
<p>Much to the annoyance of all that is good in the world, Fiorentina come into this game having lost their last two. A tight fought game in Napoli ended in a 2-1 defeat, while Thursday's match against Lech Poznan was a textbook example of complacency deteriorating into mind-bending stupidity as the Polish visitors also won 2-1. I, for one, am tired of losing 2-1, so this is a fine chance to turn that around.</p>
<p>In terms of the table, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina's</a> position at the top is starting to look under increasing threat. A draw between Inter and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> last week softened the blow of the Napoli defeat, but the gap has been cut to just a single point. And who's that sitting in second place? Why, it's Roma, of course. Victory here would open up a bit of breathing room between La Viola and the chasing pack. In 2015, we've played Roma four times and won three.</p>
<p>So far this season, Paulo Sousa has been balancing a big squad across two competitions. Mostly, there's been a team for the league and a team for Europe. After Rossi and Babacar played midweek, expect Nikola Kalinic to resume his role up front as the Croatian looks to extend his excellent start to the season. All of Jakub Blaszczykowski, <span>Borja Valero</span>, and <span>Milan Badelj</span> are likely to start. <span>Marcos Alonso</span> went off with a slight injury against Napoli and missed the midweek game. Nominally a full back, the Spaniard has been a driving factor behind the team's success so far this season. Should he return, he'll take the tally of 'Former Bolton Players Who Weren't Really Rated In England But Are Actually Quite Good' (FBPWWRRIEBAAQG) to two.</p>
<p> </p>
<h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 23px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Roma</h5>
<p>Roma, bless them, are having a thoroughly Roma season. After strengthening astutely in the summer, they were all set to build on their recent relative success and take advantage of Juve's early slip up to mount a serious title challenge. Instead, results have not been great and manager <span>Rudi Garcia</span> has found himself under a bit of pressure. In spite of this, they're second in the league table.</p>
<p>However, they've had a bit of a howler in Europe. After qualifying for the Champions League, they're currently bottom of Group E. An excellent draw against current European champions Barcelona was followed up by defeat to BATE Borisov. This week, they came back from two nil down to lead Bayer 04 Leverkusen 4-2. In the closing stages of the game, they managed to ship two goals and the game finished as a thrilling 4-4 draw. If anyone can match Fiorentina's propensity for Really Stupid Results in Europe, it's Roma.</p>
<p>As we begin to move into the potential team territory, it's time to discuss the elephant in the room. Mohammed Salah caused much consternation over the summer when he rejected a seemingly already-arranged loan spell at Fiorentina to join Roma instead. People were displeased by this turn of events. Very displeased indeed. After an electrifying spell in Florence during the previous season, everyone assumed Salah would be back. We all loved him. It all went a bit wrong. Either way, now he's in Rome and he's their player (despite the regular Viola suggestions that legal matters are still proceeding.) Expect him to receive a fairly heated reception, but somewhat tempered by the fact that Fiorentina have done fairly well in his absence.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, big summer signing Edin Dzeko could well be fit again and ready to start. The big Bosnian is perhaps the player who most signals Francisco Totti's gradual relegation to the subs bench, but he's been battling injury recently. Leandro Castan and <span>Kostas Manolas</span> are likely to start at center back, but Roma have once again failed to sign any decent full backs. Florenzi and De Rossi are likely to start, with Gervinho is in the running to make the XI. Dangerman Pjanic represents the biggest threat and any free kicks within shooting distance will be entirely within his remit.</p>
<h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 23px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Probable line-ups</h5>
<p id="paragraph8" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Fiorentina (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu, Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Astori, Blaszczykowski, Vecino, Badelj, Alonso, Ilicic, Borja Valero, Kalinic</b></p>
<p id="paragraph9" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Roma (4-3-3): Szczesny, Florenzi, Manolas, Castan, Digne, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Pjanic, Iago Falque, Dzeko, Gervinho</b></p>
<h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 23px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">Bold Prediction</h5>
<p id="paragraph10" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;">2-0 Fiorentina, Kalinic and Alonso to score</p>
<h5 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-size: 19px; margin-top: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; line-height: 23px; font-family: 'Sentinel SSm A', 'Sentinel SSm B', Georgia, serif; color: #292929;">How to watch</h5>
<p id="paragraph11" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">TV</strong>: Rai has this one, but doesn't look like anyone else does.</p>
<p id="paragraph12" class="pgh-paragraph" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; margin-top: 1em; line-height: 24px; color: #292929; font-size: 16px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Online</strong>: <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1718449/fiorentina-vs-lech-poznan/" data-ref-index="20" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #5c3390; font-weight: bold;">Take a look here</a> for the full list of streaming options. Any links to illegal streams will be deleted, and repeat offenders will be banned. As always, you can also follow along with us live on <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Viola_Nation" data-ref-index="21" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #5c3390; font-weight: bold;">Twitter</a>. If you haven't already, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=403" data-ref-index="22" style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #5c3390; font-weight: bold;">join the community on Viola Nation</a>, and join in the discussion below.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/24/9605754/fiorentina-vs-roma-preview-and-how-to-watchHuwThomas