Fiorentina battling demands of success
Reuters - Thursday 04 February 2010, 10:58
ROME - Fiorentina could be in danger of
overstretching their resources as they fight for success on
three fronts with high-flying AS Roma visiting them in a Serie
A encounter on Sunday.
The Tuscan side looked like serious title contenders
earlier this season, enjoying a strong start to the season and
qualification for the Champions League last 16 by topping their
group.
However, a recent dip in form has dropped them down to 11th
in Serie A with the demands of still being involved in the
Italian Cup meaning they rarely have a full week of rest
between matched.
Complicating matters further is Romania forward Adrian
Mutu's provisional suspension for failing a drugs test.
The risk is that by spreading themselves too thinly,
Fiorentina will end the season with no trophies and outside the
European qualification slots, although coach Cesare Prandelli
seems happy to take the chance.
"We will try to take each game as it comes. We are proud to
say we are busy on three fronts," he told reporters after
Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at league champions Inter Milan in the
first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final.
Nevertheless, Prandelli admitted to concerns about his
side's mental fitness earlier this week.
"At the moment it's the psychological side that most
worries me," said Prandelli, who is the Italian media's
favourite to replace Marcello Lippi if he quits as Italy boss
after the World Cup.
"We have to re-discover enthusiasm for our way of playing,
knowing that we might face counter-attacks, but we might score
too."
Roma are also engaged on three fronts but that has not
stopped them climbing level with second-placed AC Milan, having
played one game more, with the help of a 17-match unbeaten run
in all competitions - Serie A, Italian Cup and Europa League.
They have done this despite injury problems with new
arrival Luca Toni and captain Francesco Totti, who is expected
to return from a knock in Roma's Italian Cup semi-final first
leg at home against Udinese on Thursday.
Roma coach Claudio Ranieri, who has also been linked to the
Italy job, will be unable to call on suspended centre back
Nicolas Burdisso this weekend, while Prandelli will be without
Brazilian defender Felipe for the same reason.
Leaders Inter, eight points clear after their visit to
Parma was snowed off last week, face Cagliari at home on Sunday.
Milan will be seeking to end a three-match winless run in
all competitions at Bologna on Sunday while new boss
Alberto Zaccheroni is hoping for his first victory in the
Juventus dugout at Livorno on Saturday.