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Italy: Serie A Preview- Fiorentina v Sampdoria [Sat Aug 27th, 2005]
The honeymoon for Serie A fans begins this week with match day 1 of the TIM Serie A season 2005-2006. There are many new faces and the same old ones. This week, two teams with totally different results last year will go head to head in what could prove to be a mouth-watering encounter.
BACKGROUND
Sampdoria began the 2004-05 season badly, losing their first three games. The word crisis began to be written in the papers; however, it was premature.
Sampdoria began to win games and were the best team along with Udinese outside the big three. They were in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot but in the end, they lost 4th spot to Udinese. They did attain fifth place and a trip to the lesser European competition: the UEFA Cup.
The squad is generally the same from last year, with no big names leaving or a whole lot of new faces. Consistency is the key to this team’s success, along with proper management structure and a goad coach who has confirmed his intent to stay with the organisation, Sampdoria have the ingredients to attain future success.
Could it be like the good old days of the nineties? I do not know. However, there is an legitimate push on and a vision by the President for where this team wants to go. Unfortunately, we were robbed of a Liguria derby of Genoa v Sampdoria due to shady dealing by the Genoa organisation.
The team may lack the financial clout of other squads, but they have a great team environment and as mentioned, a consistent organisation. They acquired a new striker, Bonazzoli, from Reggina and also have placed a bid for Tudor.
The contrast between Fiorentina and Sampdoria is like night and day. Sampdoria have achieved the upper echelons of the league, while Fiorentina were down the other end facing relegation.
They were promoted to Serie A a year earlier and the fans were ecstatic. They should have been. A new owner, their old name being returned to them and an organisation with cash galore, and did they spend it. Many believed that this team would have contested for 4th and at worst 8th place. We were wrong.
Fiorentina struggled all year and after a revolving door of coaches, they achieved salvation on the very last match days of the season. This year, the organisation hopefully have learnt their lesson and has invested in veteran players, a young and capable coach - Prandelli - and with the additions of Frey in goaltending, Fiore in midfield, Toni as a striker, Brocchi in Midfield and Pancaro in defence, the team seem to have a balance of youth and experience.
Or it could just be an Inter syndrome. Many players come, but no success.
Fiorentina conducted business well with Milan this year, as two players headed to Florence, Brocchi and Pancaro, as the three Juve players, Maresca, Chiellini, and Maresca left. A pity, for the Voila should have held on to one or at least two out of the three players.
This year is tabula rasa and the Viola want success. They have the team, but we will find out if they have what it takes this weekend.
TEAM NEWS
Fiorentina:
Cesare Prandelli will have to do without the injured Maggio, Roccati and Do Prado, whereas Viali and Pasqual are suspended.
Sampdoria:
Suspensions have marred the Blucerchiati for this encounter as Walter Novellino will be without Volpi, Dalla Bona and Del Vecchio, apart from the injured Bazzani and Falcone.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Toni (Fiorentina):
The new undertaker for the Viola. He was stellar at Palermo. Many call him the new Vieri and in fact he does have his style and personality: he whined that he wanted to play for a bid club so he was sold. Yes Fiorentina are a top club, for they constitute the G7 (Le grandi sette; the big 7) of Italian clubs.
If he plays like he did last year, then Fiorentina relegation worries will be diminished to code red to code orange.
Bonazzoli (Sampdoria):
The new kid on the block. Silent at Reggina, but Novellino wanted him. The question that looms the pundit’s minds is the man. At Parma he showed great talent, but was rather silent at Reggina. Perhaps a change of scenery could rekindle his scoring touch. If he fails here, his career will surely go rock bottom.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Fiorentina (4-3-3):
Frey; Ujfalusi, Di Loreto, Dainelli, Pancaro; Brocchi, Donadel, Fiore; Jorgensen, Pazzini, Toni
Sampdoria (4-4-2):
Antonioli; C. Zenoni, Castellini, Sala, Pisano; Diana, Palombo, Edusei, Tonetto; Bonazzoli, Flachi
Bruno Cardile
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