Mutu off the market for now
Fiorentina co-owner Andrea Della Valle announced that Romanian striker Adrian Mutu is off the market and off the squad, which means that he will not be participating in any of Fiorentina’s matches until a final decision about his role on the team has been made.
Fiorentina returns from Naples with one point
On Saturday, January 15, the Fiorentina again played Napoli for one of its best matches this season against the team that is currently ranked second in Serie A. Without any goals being scored, the match ended in a draw. The Fiorentina earned one point in the Serie A rankings for this match against Napoli.
Gilardino will finish the season in Viola
On January 12, Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino held a press conference to discuss his future. Gilardino said that he will certainly finish the season with the Fiorentina but is unsure what will happen after that. He insisted that he isn’t the only one involved in these decisions. With a contract ending in 2013, Gilardino said, right now he’s thinking more about the team than his future.
New goalkeeper: Neto
On January 17, the Fiorentina introduced goalkeeper Norberto Murara Neto from Brazilian football team Atletico Paranaense, who has signed a five-year contract with the club. Neto, born in Araxa, Brazil, in 1989, has been a member of Brazil’s national team since 2010.
Special price for double bill
Until February 14, fans can purchase a specially priced ‘double bill’ ticket for the February 16 game against Inter and the February 20 match against Sampdoria.
Happy birthday to Montolivo
Viola captain Riccardo Montolivo celebrated his 31st birthday on January 18. Montolivo, who was born in Caravaggio (a province of Bergamo), started his career in Serie B with Atalanta. With the Fiorentina since 2005, he was named the team’s captain last year.
Fiorentina ties up another match
On January 23, the 400th game that the Della Valle family have been at the helm of the club, the Fiorentina played against Lecce. Fiorentina was hoping to beat Lecce to get three points in the Serie A rankings, but were disappointed when Lecce striker David Di Michele scored in the 29th minute of the first half. Only eleven minutes later, Di Michele missed a penalty kick, thus allowing the Fiorentina to regain some hope. Gilardino scored one goal eleven minutes into the second half to tie up the match 1-1, thus giving both teams one point in the Serie A rankings.
