Fiorentina v Roma: A Moral Victory, if Nothing Else

By: Martha | March 18th, 2007

Mexes and his tongue You know how, sometimes, watching a match on TV you just ache to be there? Not necessarily because it’s so high-profile, or because the teams are so good, but just because there’s … a feeling about it in which you want to share? This was one of those matches for me. The Fiorentina fans are fantastic, and were so up for the game they had even the announcer at a fever pitch, the weather looked warm and lovely, the game mattered, and both teams were attacking like crazy, looking for the full three points. Despite the scoreless result, it was a pleasure to watch, even from an uncomfortable chair in my apartment.

•Fiorentina played a man down for nearly an hour, and looked bloody fantastic doing it. Right after Dainelli was sent off, there was this feeling that the Viola were so pissed off they were going to score by sheer force of will, just to show Roma they could overcome anything. But then, alas, halftime happened.

•Frey was an absolute god today, making three or four world-class saves. His callup for France is overdue.

•Don’t hate Mexes because he’s beautiful — by my modest estimation, he was Roma’s man of the match today (and it wasn’t even close). Apart from giving away one free kick in a dangerous area, I didn’t see him put a foot wrong. And as a bonus, he frustrated Toni into submission just with his constant, unrelenting presence. Though he’d never admit it, I bet Toni was glad to be subbed out when he finally left the field — he was emotionally exhausted.

•Speaking of Toni getting subbed out, could we get Reginaldo on the pitch a little earlier, please? He made a difference from the moment he came on, but eight minutes just isn’t enough time for him to work his beastly magic.

•I don’t want to be too dramatic here, but Montolivo is turning into a man before our very eyes. There, I said it. Remember how inconsistant he was at the start of the season? No more. He’s played several games in a row and is always a major factor, whether it’s providing in the attack (as he did in the first half) or clogging up the middle and winning the ball (as he did in the second half, when he moved to the center of the midfield). You watching this, Donadoni?

•I can no longer look at Toni without seeing his floppy hair, and his hand on the waitress’ ass in this old Italian Punk’d-esque show. (Yes, Muddia, this is your fault.) Pity me.