ACF Fiorentina 2007-08

I thought its time start a Fiorentina thread. Last two seasons we had mathematically made it to the top 4, hopefully Prandelli will make it 3 in a row. The current squad looks stronger than last season. I expect us to play the new 4-2-3-1 formation this season.

The expected starters -
-------------------Frey--------------------------
Potenza---Dainelli---Gamberini---Pasqual
-----------Pazienza---Montolivo--------------
Semioli------------Mutu-----------------Gobbi
-------------------Pazzini------------------------

Rotation options -
--------------------Lupatelli---------------------------
Ujfalusi---Kroldrup---Balzaretti---Vanden Borre
--------------Donadel---Liverani---------------------
Kuzmanovic------Jorgensen--------------Santana
-----------------------Vieri------------------------------

More options: Avramov (GK), Mazuch (DF), Hable (MF), Lupoli (FW).

Transfer targets: Obinna, Quaresma/Rothen.

We have a stronger squad than last season inspite of Toni's departure, and finally adequate cover for all positions. I am sure that Prandelli is thinking about taking UEFA Cup seriously. I cannot put to words what Prandelli has done for us in the last 2 seasons. He has transformed the team, and we have always overachieved under him, without spending much money. Almost all his purchases have delivered, most young talents have blossomed under his guidance. Hopefully the signing of Vieri was as inspired as the rest has been. He can replace Toni if anyone can.

In Prandelli we trust. Forza Fiorentina!

Do you reckon Lupoli will get many chances for the Viola this season? Has he featured much in pre-season?

Think he'd do well a supersub, physically he's nothing special but the guy has a fantastic finish on him and is actually deceptively versatile

He has played as a sub in the pre-season like most other players. Once the season starts, Lupoli will be below Pazzini & Vieri in the pecking order for the role of lone striker. I think he will get a few games during rotation and injury - lets face it Veiri has been injured for most of 2 seasons now. Lupoli is a bright talent for the future, like most of our players. Prandelli is exceptionally good at nurturing talent and our starting XI is testimony to that fact. Montolivo, Gamberini, Pasqual, Potenza, Pazzini, and Donadel have all flourished in his tenure from youth players/bench warmers to regular starters. I expect Mazuch, Hable, Lupoli, Kuzmanovic, and Vandan Borre will be slowly eased into the team. Also Carmine and Lepiller - the strikers from our youth squad should start getting a look in. Like Lupoli, Fiorentina are work in progress. The finished product is expected in 2 years time, by when Lupoli could become a starting fixture for our team.

Tweedle wrote:Do you reckon Lupoli will get many chances for the Viola this season? Has he featured much in pre-season?

Think he'd do well a supersub, physically he's nothing special but the guy has a fantastic finish on him and is actually deceptively versatile

So good to see "i Viola" have a thread here

@ Gigliati, my only problem is that Fiorentina have added even more younsgters to the dozens you already have... which sometimes make me wonder whether the intention is to challenge for the title or start a farming business a la Parma.

I can see why Prandelli is shifting to the 4-2-3-1 formation, looking at the talent you have post Toni, but you have taken a lot of risk by putting such a responsibility on young Pazzini. Not sure he is ready yet. And while Vieri is good cover, whether he will make anywhere the kind of impact that he used to is suspect (I really hope he does, for his and your sake!).

And I take your point on Prandelli doing very well with youth, but so many youth?? Its gonna be interesting, coz a lot of your talents will be disappointed if they don't make CL next season, hence it was a big risk not to buy a bit more experience (apart from Semioli & Vieri). Rothen will be a fantastic addition, not too sure of Obinna only coz of his age even tho he has the talent.

If anyone can make winners out of this squad, its Prandelli - I have said this many times before on this MB that he is the best Italian coach after the Lippi-Capello era... better than Ancellotti, Spalletti, Mancini & Donadoni!!