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RESULTS: UEFA Cup Semifinals First Leg RANGERS 0 - 0 FIORENTINA "Will Fiorentina win in the Second Leg at the Artemio Franchi?"
Posted by Anna Italia at 4/24/2008 12:33 PM and is filed under UEFA Cup,General Soccer News,ACF Fiorentina 
By Anna ItaliaDespite Fiorentina having 56% ball possession and Rangers 44%, there were no GOALS!
Rangers 0 - 0 Fiorentina 
Substitutions: 59' Novo out, Buffel in 80' Giampaolo Pazzini out, Christian Vieri in
60' Darcheville out, Cousin in
| UEFA CUP Semifinals First Leg Rangers 0 - 0 Fiorentina NO GOALS! |
UEFA CUP Semifinals First Leg Bayern Munich 1 - 1 Zenith 18' F. Ribery 60' Lucio (own goal) |
The big moment for Fiorentina is here.
Referee Kyros Vassaras whistles the beginning of the match.
Although Fiorentina played the first 30 minutes well, there were no goals in the first time.
Best chance for Fiorentina was in the 8th minute when midfielder Martin Jorgensen did a solo run ALMOST 40 yeards with no RANGERS players to obstruct him. Yet, Jorgensen either got tired or simply did not have enough confidence because he did a poor shot over the bar!
In the 13th minute, another great wasted opportunity for Fiorentina! Kuzmanovic sends an assist to striker Giampaolo Pazzini who waited too long to shoot and Rangers cleared.
Honestly, guys, sometimes I wonder why Pazzini is not consistent!
Rangers reacted in the last 15 minutes.
Let's hope Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu scores in the second half. Come on Fiorentina!
Just look at striker Giampaolo Pazzini flying high to head the ball! Wow, that's impressive, too bad it could not be a winning goal. Thumbs up Pazzini for your effort!
I can't believe Fiorentina was not able to score in the first half. Then, Mutu seems to disappear in the second half. Yet, Coach Cesare Prandelli did not bring Christian Vieri in. I thought this was a match for Vieri who is hungry for goal.
Why Coach Cesare Prandelli is not making any substitutions yet? Hello.... is not that Fiorentina is winning! They need to score.
In the 76th minute, striker Adrian Mutu almost score after getting an assist by midfielder Fabio Liverani! Wow, Mutu shoots from 30 yards only to see Rangers goalkeeper Alexander makes a save! Unbelievable.... no goals. I am sure, Milan, Sampdoria, and Udinese would love to see this goalless Fiorentina on Sunday to shorten their distance with the Viola.
Midfielder Mario Santana tries his luck too but Rangers blocks every attempt to score of the Viola!
Finally, Coach Cesare Prandelli brings Vieri but only in the 80th minute! Prandelli substitutes Giampaolo Pazzini. Hum, I think he should have substituted Adrian Mutu, instead.
Hey, you could sense Vieri's desire to make the difference. Two minutes after entering, in the 82nd minute, Vieri wins a free kick... though... Rangers blocks Fiorentina every time they seem closer to the goal.
I am telling you guys, Mutu was not at his best today. This time, Pazzini was better.
I don't think Fiorentina President Della Valle is that happy. Well, he can't be that mada either because they did not concede any goals.
In the 91st minute, Mutu got another chance when Kuzmanovic sends an assist. Yet, no luck. It is a match "da dimenticare" to forget for Mutu!
No luck guys! Referee Kyros Vassaras whistles the end of the match.
The result is not that bad for Fiorentina. They can score in the second leg at the Artemio Franchi Stadium on Thursday, May 1. Let's hope it will be a victory for the Viola. Hopefully, MUTU, PAZZINI, and VIERI will be sharper and deliver powerful goals to take them to the UEFA Cup Finals. I hope Prandelli gives more playing time to Vieri in the second leg. I can almost see a goal from Vieri!
| UEFA CUP Semifinals First Leg Rangers 0 - 0 Fiorentina  Glasglow Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:45 a.m. USA Pacific time
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LINEUPS
RANGERS
Goalkeeper: Neil AlexanderDefenders: David Weir, Christian Dailly, Steven Whittaker, Kirk Broadfoot, Sasa Papac
Midfielders: Brahim Herndani, Steven Davis
Forwards: Nacho Novo, Jean Claude Darcheville
Coach: Walter Smith
FIORENTINA
Goalkeeper:: Sebastien Frey
Defenders: Alessandro Gamberini, Tomas Ujfalusi,
Midfielders: Martin Jorgensen, Fabio Liverani, Mario Santana, Massimo Gobbi, Ricardo Montolivo, Zdravko Kuzmanovic
Forwards: Adrian Mutu, Giampaolo Pazzini
Coach: Cesare Prandelli
What do you think of Fiorentina's performance? Will they win in the Uefa Cup Semifinal second leg at the Artemio Franchi?
No goals yet? man, just hope for Mutu to score soon.
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Pietro just wish for Fiorentina to be goalless against Sampdoria on Sunday for your Milan to catch up
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Hey Mark, you are right! I am praying now for Fiorentina to be goalless on Sunday, man, that will be perfect for my Milan provided they beat Livorno.
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I am disappointed with MUTU! Yet, I agree with Mark that for Milan and Udinese fans, it will be great to see Fiorentina not scoring on Sunday against Sampdoria. I am for that!
However, in the UEFA CUP Semifinals, I WANT FIORENTINA TO WIN.
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Sampdoria most likely will get a draw. I check for the preview to post the predictions.
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Fiorentina was the better team, they deserved a goal. I hope they attack on the returnn leg and win a great victory.
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Is not enough to play well. Fiorentina now has to go for the VICTORY. Scoring is what they need and hopefully ADRIAN MUTU will be in shape as well as BOBO VIERI. FORZA VIOLA!!!
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