Viola Nation - Hellas Verona vs. Fiorentina 2015A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2015-10-29T16:35:02+01:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/93894872015-10-29T16:35:02+01:002015-10-29T16:35:02+01:00Hellas Verona 0-2 Fiorentina: Statistics
<figure>
<img alt="Pasqual with some strong derp game." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DuOKxIIbQ2R1xdPMccuSWmBJcNs=/171x0:2065x1263/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47540529/GettyImages-494695118.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Pasqual with some strong derp game. | Dino Panato/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Say, man, you got a two-goal, clean sheet win away from home? It'd be a lot cooler if you did.</p> <p>Feels pretty good to get the good ship <a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a> righted, and even if it's against a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona" class="sbn-auto-link">Hellas Verona</a> team that's still winless this season, three points are three points are necessary to stay in contention for the top of the table. So let's investigate what a crucial win looks in the stats column. As always, all numbers are from <a href="http://whoscored.com">WhoScored.com</a>.</p>
<h5>Team Statistics</h5>
<p> </p>
<table style="width: 80%;">
<tbody>
<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>Hellas</td>
<td>37%</td>
<td>404 (308/74)</td>
<td>75%</td>
<td>1/22</td>
<td>7/12</td>
<td>2 (0)</td>
<td>2/0</td>
<td>21/36</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>6/22</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>5/0</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fiorentina</td>
<td>63%</td>
<td>686 (618/57)</td>
<td>86%3</td>
<td>2/8</td>
<td>15/17</td>
<td>9 (4)</td>
<td>6/3</td>
<td>15/22</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>16/22</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>2/0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h5>Player statistics</h5>
<p> </p>
<table style="width: 80%;">
<tbody>
<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>13/13</td>
<td>3/10</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</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>Roncaglia</td>
<td>54/64</td>
<td>0/2</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>4/5</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gonzalo</td>
<td>46/53</td>
<td>6/10</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>76</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>3</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>Astori</td>
<td>67/70</td>
<td>7/11</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>1 (0)</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>79</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pasqual</td>
<td>58/64</td>
<td>0/4</td>
<td>1/4</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>78</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Valero</td>
<td>76/77</td>
<td>3/5</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>3/3</td>
<td>1 (0)</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>100</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/3</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vecino</td>
<td>85/94</td>
<td>2/3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>4/4</td>
<td>1 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>111</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>4/5</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1/2</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>17/19</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>51</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ilicic</td>
<td>37/45</td>
<td>2/3</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>2 (0)</td>
<td>0/2</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>1</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>Rossi</td>
<td>15/21</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>1 (0)</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2/2</td>
<td>1/0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>59</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kalinic</td>
<td>28/34</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>3 (2)</td>
<td>3/0</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1/3</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>2/3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bernardeschi</td>
<td>15/19</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Badelj</td>
<td>27/29</td>
<td>3/3</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>1/1</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>38</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0/1</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tomovic</td>
<td>10/11</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>0 (0)</td>
<td>0/0</td>
<td>15</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>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h5>Conclusions</h5>
<p>It seems like <span>Paulo Sousa</span> decided before this match that he had the better players, and he was going to get as many of them on the pitch from the get-go as he could (Borja dropping into the midfield to make way for another attacker), which maybe isn't the most tactical approach, but in some ways is sort of refreshing. The most interesting features in this one, to me, were the lack of crosses and the paucity of shots from distance. In the past few games, Fiorentina has focused on putting the ball in (averaging 33 crosses a game for the past two), and it hasn't really resulted in much. Sousa seems to have instructed his charges to try and pass their way into the goal. The few shots from outside backs this theory up; especially after the own goal, Fiorentina were happy to pass it around until they'd worked it into the box, instead of trying from distance at the risk of losing possession.</p>
<p>Quick thoughts: It's amazing how involved <span>Davide Astori</span> is in the build up; look at how much more he touched the ball than the other center backs. Jakub Blaszczykowski is still adjusting to a new team, new position, and style of play, so perhaps we shouldn't judge him too harshly. Unlike the wingers before him (<span>Juan Cuadrado</span>, Joaquin, <span>Mohamed Salah</span>), he's not really a skillful dribbler, so he's not as able to break down a packed box. Borja was excellent, but lost the ball a lot; he also played fewer crosses than he has in a long time as he stayed much deeper than in previous games. With Fiorentina not trying to shoot from distance, Josip Ilicic looks lost. Nikola Kalinic is back to his usual self: no shots from outside the box.</p>
<p>That's about it for this one. Short turnaround for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/frosinone-calcio-italy" class="sbn-auto-link">Frosinone</a> game; be interested to see which personnel Sousa trots out for that one. Forza Viola.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/29/9631694/hellas-verona-0-2-fiorentina-statistics-serie-a-round-10-statistical-analysisThe Tito2015-10-29T12:10:02+01:002015-10-29T12:10:02+01:00Hellas Verona Vs. Fiorentina 2015: Final score 2-0
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XA-nQOtt-vukzONA7RbnFms0jHE=/0x67:3000x2067/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47539507/GettyImages-494695084.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dino Panato/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fiorentina lie third, equal on points with fourth placed Inter in the Serie A table</p> <p>In truth, aside from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina's</a> two goals in this match, there isn't an awful lot else to say. After back to back league defeats, the game away to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona">Hellas Verona</a> saw a return to the style of possession based play that saw wins ground out against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/carpi-fc-1909-italy">Carpi</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/bologna">Bologna</a>.</p>
<p>The deadlock was broken after 25 minutes when <span>Manuel Pasqual</span> delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Under pressure from Nikola Kalinić, Verona's Rafael Márquez got into a mix up with 'keeper Pierluigi Collini and bumbled the ball over the line. The goal had been coming, as just minutes earlier, Pasqual had whipped in an almost identical cross only for Kalinić to hit the side netting.</p>
<p>The second goal came after the break, with <span>Giuseppe Rossi</span> sending the ball across the penalty area in the 57th minute, for Kalinić to fire home with ease.</p>
<p>The important thing to take away from this game was that Fiorentina are showing that they are resilient. After back to back defeats on a wet Wednesday night, away from home, to a struggling team; this could easily have become a massive setback. Instead Paulo Sousa has picked his team up, dusted them off and continued with the style of play that has worked so well this season. The fixture list was unkind in selecting consecutive matches against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.chiesaditotti.com/">AS Roma</a>, however if the team respond in this way, those two defeats may prove to be insignificant come the end of the season.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/29/9631730/hellas-verona-vs-fiorentina-final-score-0-2-viola-return-to-winningChloe_Beresford2015-10-28T22:46:01+01:002015-10-28T22:46:01+01:00Hellas Verona 0-2 Fiorentina: Instant reaction
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tRY7B1A3ZQ6rah9J9hSI8prYNmI=/0x0:2992x1995/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47539457/GettyImages-494693668.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dino Panato/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fiorentina return to winning ways in fair Verona</p> <p align="center"><img style="border: 5px solid white;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" alt="fiorentina blog fc sbn"></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Pre-match thoughts: </b>.<br><br> </li>
<li>After back to back league defeats; albeit against tough opposition <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> needed to get back into the winning habit against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona">Hellas Verona</a><br><br> </li>
<li>The news that in form <span>Marcos Alonso</span> was still not fit was a blow for the viola, <br><br>
</li>
<li> <b>Half-time thoughts:</b><br><br> </li>
<li> Fiorentina went in at the break 1-0 up. The goal was credited as a Rafa Marquez OG, but there was good work from <span>Manuel Pasqual</span> and Nikola Kalinic to force the error<br><br> </li>
<li> Pasqual looked to be taking on the role of Alonso nicely, supplying accurate crosses from the left<br><br> </li>
<li> Although dominating the play, the viola need a second goal to ensure that the game is killed off<br><br> </li>
<li> <b>Full-time thoughts:</b> </li>
<li>After the second goal, Hellas seemed resigned to their fate and the game went extremely flat. On the basis of this display, they are going to struggle to avoid relegtion</li>
<li>The fans of the twinned teams created a superb atmosphere at the Bentegodi, despite the relatively dull display on the pitch</li>
<li>Fiorentina got the job done and returned to winning ways. Onwards!</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Hellas Verona</b>: (4-3-3): Gollini; Pisano, Marquez, Moras, Souprayen; Greco, Matuzalem (Checchin 83'), Ionita(Siligardi 64'); Sala (Zaccagni 80'), Gomez, Jankovic</p>
<p><b>Fiorentina</b>: (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori (Tomovic 80'); Blaszczykowski (Bernardeschi 52'), Vecino, Valero, Pasqual; Ilicic, Rossi (Badelj 60'); Kalinic</p>
<p><i>Goals</i>: Marquez (OG) 25', Kalinic 57'</p>
<p align="center"><img style="border: 5px solid white;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" alt="fiorentina blog fc sbn"></p>
<p>We’ll be back later with a full recap of all the action, but for now you can talk about the match in the comments below. What did you love? What did you hate? Sound off, Viola Nation!</p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-match-coverage/2015/10/28/9631250/hellas-verona-0-2-fiorentina-instant-reaction-serie-aChloe_Beresford2015-10-28T20:46:27+01:002015-10-28T20:46:27+01:00Hellas Verona vs Fiorentina: Lineups and thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ioTCWxtb2ZQWo0K8xR1VzSsDgbI=/0x40:4107x2778/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47538613/GettyImages-459512238.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Both teams really need the points, but dang it, Fiorentina needs them more.</p> <h5>Changes</h5> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona" class="sbn-auto-link">Hellas Verona</a> is going with their expected lineup. Mandorlini remains Toni-less and Pazzini-less, so will use Matuzalem as more of a false nine. <span>Paulo Sousa</span> shuffles things a bit, moving <span>Borja Valero</span> farther back to accommodate Josip Ilicic and <span>Giuseppe Rossi</span>, who makes his first start in what seems like forever. Maneul Pasqual will start over <span>Marcos Alonso</span>, who's still struggling for fitness after his knock last week.</p> <h5>Lineups</h5> <p><strong>Hellas Verona</strong> (4-3-3): Gollini; Pisano, Marquez, Moras, Souprayen; Greco, Matuzalem, Ionita; Sala, Gomez, Jankovic</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a></strong> (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori; Blaszczykowski, Vecino, Valero, Pasqual; Ilicic, Rossi; Kalinic</p> <h5>Viewing options</h5> <p><strong>TV</strong>: Sky Calcio 6 in Italy and BeIn Sports in the US are your best bets.</p> <p><strong>Online</strong>: Online viewing options can be found <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1665397/hellas-verona-vs-fiorentina/">here</a>. Please don't post illegal streams in the comments; we'll delete them and ban you if you keep doing it. As always, you can also follow along with us live on <a href="https://twitter.com/Viola_Nation">Twitter</a>. If you haven't already, <a data-ref-index="18" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=403" target="_blank" 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/2015/10/28/9631042/hellas-vs-fiorentina-lineups-thread-serie-a-round-10The Tito2015-10-28T12:41:44+01:002015-10-28T12:41:44+01:00Hellas Verona vs. Fiorentina: Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Pretty much how we're all feeling right now, let's be honest." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LLSPSuFMoJyo6lYPalup_Qpioqw=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47526107/GettyImages-493778550.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Pretty much how we're all feeling right now, let's be honest. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Fiorentina travel to Verona to take on a Toni-less and seemingly toothless Gialloblu. </p> <p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap" id="paragraph0">By now, we're all tired of losing 2-1. After <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a>, Lech Poznan, and Roma, the very concept of 2-1 has turned from a simple losing scoreline into a mocking, hideous, double digit nightmare that haunts the darkest, deepest recesses of the human psyche. And now, we go again. Please let's not lose 2-1 again. I can't take it. But to quote that guy in that Batman film, the night is darkest just before the dawn. So after a tough run of fixtures, <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> will be spending their Wednesday night battling against <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona">Hellas Verona</a>. Theoretically, this is a winnable fixture. Theoretically.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap"> </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;">Fiorentina</h5>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2">Despite all the doom and gloom of the opening paragraph, Fiorentina are still sitting pretty in Serie A, tied for third with four teams all on 18 points. If anyone had asked during the summer, few Viola fans would have been too furious with the current standings.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph">However, the recent fixtures have quelled suggestions that the scudetto might be a legitimate target for the season. Instead, <span>Paulo Sousa</span> will need to reinvigorate his team after a tough run. Get heads up, keep people smiling, etc., etc.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph">Typically this season, we've seen one squad for the weekend and one for the midweek fixtures. These have usually switched in tandem, moving between Serie A and Europa League, but Sousa may be tempted to try and mix it up a little in an effort to restore winning ways.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph">After a late goal at the weekend, <span>Khouma Babacar</span> could be set to start. Likewise, Guiseppe Rossi, Josip Iličić, and Ante Rebić have all struggled variously with injuries, form, and suspensions in recent weeks. As such, the forward line might be shuffled as the first port of call.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"><span>Marcos Alonso</span> may not start after his injury problems have gone on a little longer than expected, whilst candles are being lit across Florence in the hope that anyone other than Nenad Tomović will appear in the back line.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"> </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;">Hellas Verona</h5>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6">For the last few seasons, Hellas Verona have relied on the goals of former Fiorentina favorite Luca Toni. Toni spent a fair few seasons with La Viola, spread across two separate spells. He scored 55 goals for Fiorentina and who doesn't love the big Italian's tactics of being much bigger than other people and heading it in the net? It's glorious.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph">But despite his recent renaissance in a Verona shirt, Hellas might have become a little bit too reliant on Toni. His goals have been vital in their last couple of seasons, but when he hasn't been available, they've struggled. Now with Toni at 38, it seems mad to rely so heavily on one aging player for all the goals. He's only made four appearances so far this season and will be out for at least another month with an injury to his left knee.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph">Hellas Verona have signed <span>Giampaolo Pazzini</span> to try and replicate some of Toni's goal-scoring form. But as anyone who signs Pazzini finds out, he is a bit rubbish. It looks like he may miss this one through injury, but otherwise you could have expected him to bag a hat-trick.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"><span>Without their main man, Verona have struggled. They're currently 19th in the league and struggling to find any kind of form. Their best players have been </span><font face="Mercury SSm A, Mercury SSm B, Georgia, serif" color="#292929"><span><span>Federico Viviani</span>, <span>Leandro Greco</span>, and Vangelis Moras. Meanwhile, former Barcelona man Rafael Márquez (once deemed too slow for MLS) is a regular feature in the center of the defense. </span></font></p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph">Despite the fact that it's only October, Hellas Verona will be increasingly certain they're in a relegation battle. They'll be fighting hard for a point and they're not exactly known for their soft treatment of opposing teams. While they're not quite Chievo (that's the other side of town), we're dangerously close to 'wet and windy Tuesday night in Stoke' territory here. Sure, <a href="http://www.daily-hdr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Verona-Riverside.jpg">Verona </a>can't really compare to the lovely city of <a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/23/article-2313510-197225A8000005DC-781_634x420.jpg">Stoke</a>, but that's besides the point.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"> </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 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;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph10"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Hellas Verona (4-3-3): Rafael; Pisano, Marquez, Moras, Souprayen; Ionita, Greco, Sala; Taleb, Gomez, Jankovic.</b></b></p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Fiorentina (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Astori; Blaszczykowski, Vecino, Badelj, Pasqual; Bernardeschi, <span>Borja Valero</span>; Kalinic.</b></p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"> </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 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;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph12">1-3. As long as it's not 2-1.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph"> </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 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;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph13"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">TV</strong>: It'll be on Sky Calcio 6 in Italy and beIN Sports in the United States.</p>
<p 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;" class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph14"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;">Online</strong>: <a style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #5c3390; font-weight: bold;" data-ref-index="16" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1718449/fiorentina-vs-lech-poznan/">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 style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #5c3390; font-weight: bold;" data-ref-index="17" href="https://twitter.com/Viola_Nation" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. If you haven't already, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #5c3390; font-weight: bold;" data-ref-index="18" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=403" target="_blank">join the community on Viola Nation</a>, and join in the discussion below.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2015/10/28/9620036/hellas-verona-vs-fiorentina-preview-and-how-to-watchHuwThomas