Fiorentina v Napoli: BOBO! BOBO!!!!!
By: Martha | October 31st, 2007
I’m not sure I can be coherent about this match, but it was fantastic, and Fiorentina won 1-0 on a 61st minute goal from Bobo Vieri. It was his first start of the Serie A campaign, and for most of the match he was well-contained by Paolo Cannavaro, who was superb, but he got away once, and that was all the Viola needed: Adrian Mutu decided not to fall down and actually played, beating the defender to the endline on the left and pulling in back for Bobo, who used his trusty left foot to knock it into the back of the net. All kinds of awesome.
Overall, Napoli fans might say they deserved the draw, but the Viola had the better of play over the 90 minutes, and were all around the visiting goal in the first half. Ezequiel Lavezzi set off on a couple of fantastic runs and Sosa missed two absurd chances during that time, but Napoli were mostly countering, while Fiorentina kept possession and played lovely one-touch football. The second half was more open and Napoli were all over the hosts at the start, but the Viola really took hold of the game and apart from a few hair moments, did a good job of closing it down after Bobo’s goal (helped by two completely sick saves by Sebastian Frey, who I’ve realized would be the best ice hockey keeper of all time if he ever changed sports).
Also:
•Lavezzi is terrifyingly quick, but looks so much like Pee-Wee Herman it’s almost all I can think about when I watch him play.
•Zdravko Kuzmanovic had a fantastic first half — he was everywhere, and completely outshone the lack-luster, sloppy Riccardo Montolivo. (And, as an added bonus, he’s barely 20 years old.)
•Mutu is not as mature as I thought. During the last two matches, he’s spent far too much time lying on the ground whining, and too little playing. He ought to take something from the fact that the one time he balled up and played, the Viola scored.
•Alessandro Gamberini, mental patient haircut or not, is a beast. He’s making the post-Canna and Matrix Azzzurri central defense look a whole lot less scary.
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Comments
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I’m bummed I didn’t get a chance to watch this. Huge goal for Bobo, and a huge 3 points for Fiorentina. Helps to maintain pace with Inter, Roma and Juventus.
Martha - kind of a nerdy question, I guess. When Jorgensen starts on the right - does he play a more withdrawn role than Semioli does? I was wondering if Fiorentina fielded more of a 4-4-2 today as opposed to the usual 4-3-3. Prandelli usually opts for the more offensive formation while playing at home.
And I’m hoping Montolivo is just a little fatigued and that explains his recent lackluster performances. I see that Prandelli yanked him for the more defensive Pazienza immediately following the goal.
Posted from
United States
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I was really pleased to see Montolivo removed first, because it was a reaction to the match rather than just doing the usual pattern. And he was bad (imho)– had a dire sequence late in the first half where he gave it away about four times in a row, bad passes and also terribly misreading things; just a shabby performance overall.
Take this with a grain of salt, but I’d say Jorgensen was legitimately playing in the third attacker slot. It was strange to see him so far forward and have Kuzmanovic playing where you’re used to seeing the Dane, but it really was a 4-3-3. With his stints at right back last year, Jorgensen’s now played every possible position on that side for the Viola; I suppose that’s nice for Prandelli to have when the team is still in all three competitions.
And you would have appreciated the goal, it was just like you describe Bobo’s: Stand on the right foot and stick the left one out so the ball hits it.
(And if you missed the match due to lack of access and not work, you ought to consider seriesa.tv. Definitely worth it, if you have time during the day to watch matches.)
Posted from
United States -
I’m giggling so at the Lavezzi = Pee Wee Herman part that any other thoughts have been knocked clean out of my head.
Posted from
Italy -
Thanks Martha - I need to make that investment.
Posted from
United States -
I woke up to seeing this, “L’azzurro? Tornarci è un mio obiettivo” and threw up in my mouth. Somebody needs to tell Bobo his int’l career was taken out back Old Yeller style long ago. He doesn’t have the athleticism to get out of bed swiftly, nevermind contribute enough in meaningful games.
Gamberini’s nice for Fiorentina, but he’s not starting Azzurri material. Especially not with the disgusting talent being pipelined through the Azzurrini right now (Criscito and Andreolli especially). By the time Canna retires, somebody will be ready to pair with Barzagli who shouldn’t be tied down and have his head shaved.
Posted from
United States -
Don’t blame him, they fucking asking him about it every time he scores — it’s as if he’s bringing it UP. What’s he supposed to say, that he wouldn’t want to play for the NT again? Bobo is perfect, he’d never lie like that.
Posted from
United States -
bobo’s a punk, mutu runs the show
Posted from
Canada -
Let me explain my position :)
Mutu pretty much does everything, he passes, he scores. Did you not see the pass to Bobo? All Bobo does is sit around and wait for the ball, and when it comes to him his out of shape ass can barely flat foot it home. A partnership like Toni & Mutu is a once in a lifetime thing.
Posted from
Canada -
Luc, hang around and you’ll see me fawning over Mutu pretty much 24/7 — you’re preaching to the choir here, my friend, I’m a huge, huge fan. (: That said, he’s disappointed me against Napoli and Genoa (esp Genoa) with his whining, and apparent unwillingness to ball up and battle in a very physical game.
(And I can’t get over my old-school love for Bobo — how can you not get excited when he works his slow-moving ass off for 65 minutes and ends up with a goal?)
Posted from
United States -
(And seriously, do hang around — tmc and I need more people to talk about the Viola with.)
Posted from
United States -
Your a Viola fan too huh? I have to admit the only reason I come to this site is to see what you say about Mutu & Fiorentina and I agree every time.
Mutu is finally cleaning up his act and the reason I’m not a big fan of Bobo is because he’s not the same player he used to be. I remember 3 years ago Bobo WAS Italy.
Mutu’s been through a lot though and besides the Viola he’s bringing a huge plus to his national team who has to be the unluckiest team in the world, missing out on so many qualifications.
Don’t worry, I’ll stick around for good it’s nice to finally find someone who is as in love with Fiorentina as I am.
P.S - Where in Canada are you from?
Posted from
Canada -
Viola and Inter, Luc, which I’m sure is distressing to hear, assuming you hate Inter as much as everyone else does.
See, I agree that Bobo is nowhere near the player he was, but I have a lot of respect for him for getting himself back in shape and adapting to the fact that he basically can’t run at all anymore, and still finding a way to be productive. It’s fantastic, particularly because it’s happening in Florence where he’s been received incredibly well.
Does this thing say I’m in Canada? It’s a total lie, I’m in NYC. Where in Canada are you?
Posted from
United States -
I also like Inter :) Especially Chivu, who has finally regained his form. He’s getting back to the guy he used to be at Roma.
After all that I have to say, I like Bobo…I just wish he could play he used to, it’s sad to see such a legend fade away slowly.
Yup apparently your a canuk, I’m from Montreal.
Also, what are your oppinions on Bogdan Lobont? :)
Posted from
Canada
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