Genoa v Fiorentina: Pazzini! Falling Down!

By: Martha | October 28th, 2007

Leon On paper, I suppose a 0-0 draw away to a midtable side is acceptable for Fiorentina, particularly after a tough match on Thursday. That said, though, they need to learn to get something out of games like this, when the other team is physical and not allowing them any space in front of goal. If they don’t, everyone is going to start doing it (See Milan, and the clogged-up midfields they face every week), and no matter how much Mutu and Pazzini cry, nothing’s going to change until they adjust. (Yes, that’s right, I just criticized Mutu. Note down the date.)

The Viola back four were solid, as they always are no matter who’s there, and apart from a single odd punch, Sebastian Frey was his usual, virtually flawless self. But in a game like this, someone has to step up and take charge, and both Mutu and Pazzini (the latter, in particular, looked near tears at the terrible injustice of not getting calls at times*) were too busy waiting for the ball and having it taken off them to do so, while Montolivo, who has devastating ability, was not only being forced to defend more than usual in the absence of Liverani, but was also taking his usual, laconic approach and never really attacked the game. There was a bit of hope when, as in Prandelli’s habit, he brought Vieri on with about 20 minutes left for Pazzini, because the physical style of the match seemed perfect for the lumbering Bobo. But service was minimal, and he really struggled to make an impact.

I’m pretty sure this was the first time I’ve seen Genoa play this season, and they certainly looked worthy of their position in the table. They’re hard to play against — and not just in Torino’s kicking people and sitting deep way — and have multiple legitimate attacking threats in Borriello, Di Vaio and Leon, not to mention Lucho Figueroa, who made his long-awaited debut today, more than a year and two knee operations after arriving at the club. Since their Week 1 thumping by Milan, Genoa have improved steadily and recently beat Napoli away (plus, the loss to Juve in Week 8 could easily have been a draw), and Wednesday’s meeting with Inter could tell us a lot about both clubs. I tend to be very, very wrong when I try to make predications, but I can see Inter having all kinds of trouble with them.

*I pretty much never say anything about the officiating, but I thought Emidio Morganti was fantastic tonight. Any referee who waves off 90% of shouts for foul and blows the whistle for handball when a guy falls down and grabs the ball because he’s pretending he was fouled is a superstar in my book.