ACF
Fiorentina extended their winless streak in 2013 to five games, sliding down to
sixth in the Serie A table, and leaving them nine points adrift of the
Champions League third spot. Indeed, it has come to the stage of the season
when teams will start to look over their shoulders; while the Viola have
collected a meagre one point since the winter break, direct rivals Lazio,
Napoli and AC Milan have all been on good form.
Fiorentina 1-1 Napoli. In a cagey
encounter at Florence’s Artemio Franchi stadium, Fiorentina were perhaps
fortunate to escape with a point. Facundo Roncaglia scored a spectacular, if
unintentional, goal from his own half after 33 minutes to put the Viola ahead.
Nevertheless, Napoli replied before half time, with Edison Cavani scoring his
100th Serie A goal with a headed effort from close range. Napoli had control of
the second half, and Viola goalkeeper Norberto Neto had to produce a remarkable
save to deny Goran Pandev after 83 minutes.
Catania 2-1 Fiorentina. Fiorentina
saw Catania come from behind in a disappointing game for the Viola. Fiorentina
went ahead when midfielder Giulio Migliaccio met Manuel Pasqual’s cross with a
bullet header inside the box after 21 minutes. The Sicilians equalised five
minutes after halftime, when Nicola Legrottaglie glanced home an easy header.
With the scores level, the Viola hit the crossbar twice, but eventually
succumbed to a late strike from Lucas Castro. The quest for the elusive first
win of 2013 continues.
Transfers. The
Viola have been active in the January transfer window, adding to the Giuseppe
Rossi transfer by signing 20-year-old Polish midfielder Rafal Wolski and
27-year-old German defender Marvin Compper. Moreover, saying that the club ‘has
prepared something nice,’ Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle hinted that
the club will secure a big-name signing in the 2013 summer transfer window,
Next up. After
playing Parma at home on February at 3pm, the Fiorentina take on archrivals
Juventus on February 9 at 6pm in Turin.
