One goal too many at San Siro
The November 20 game against Milan ended 1-0, another loss for the Fiorentina. Although they kept Milan at bay during the first half, Ibrahimovic scored a goal at the last minute. In the second half, the Fiorentina tried to score a goal to tie the match but were unable to do so. Per Kroldrup, who was expelled only a few minutes before the end of the match, was out for two games.
A draw in Turin
During a heated match in Turin on November 27 against the Fiorentina’s archrival Juventus, Manuel Vargas aimed for the goalkeeper and scored a goal by a defender in the first half. During the match, striker Alberto Gilardino was injured and had to leave the pitch. Viola goalkeeper Artur Boruc kept Juventus from scoring by blocking every shot that came to him, except one. Juventus scored a goal during a penalty kick in the second half to tie the match. An injured Michele Camporese was replaced by Felipe, but he was expelled only a few minutes before the end of the game after committing two fouls, leaving 10 Fiorentina players who were unable to score another goal. The match ended 1-1, earning the team just one point in the Serie A rankings.
Fiorentina advances to next round of TIM Cup
On November 30, the Fiorentina played against Serie B team Reggina in the fourth round of the TIM Cup competition. With many players out with injuries, a few of the Primavera (under 21) players were called up: Khouma Babacar, Nikola Gulan, Haris Seferovic, Federico Carraro and Federico Masi. In the first half, Babacar and Marco Marchionni each scored a goal; Alessio Cerci scored one in the second half. Reggina was unable to turn things around and the Fiorentina won 3-0. The Viola play Parma in the next round.
Marco Donadel: CONI Firenze Athlete of the Year award
On December 1, at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Marco Donadel, midfielder, and current captain of the Fiorentina, was presented with the athlete of the year award. CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee, gave the award.
Mutu scores to win
For the December 5 match in Florence against Cagliari, Adrian Mutu returned to play to replace Gilardino for the team’s last Serie A match of the year. At the 52nd minute of play, Mutu scored his first goal of the season, a header, from a free kick by Gaetano D’Agostino. With Cagliari unable to score, the match ended 1-0.
Did you know?
New trivia board game on the Fiorentina
GiraFirenze now speaks English. The popular board game that came on the scene last year tests players’ knowledge of all things Florentine. In addition to releasing the English version of GiraFirenze, local officials recently added a version that challenges players with 650 questions about the city’s soccer team, the Fiorentina.
Called GiraViola, the game is for ‘genuine fans of Fiorentina and those who want to become one,’ said the game’s creator Luca Giannelli. Like GiraFirenze, GiraViola is a mix of the classic Snakes and Ladders and Trivial Pursuit. Touted as a fun way to discover the history of the Fiorentina, the game can be played by two to five players.
