Team Focus: Fiorentina And Their Abundance Of Attacking Talent

by Ben McAleer at Thursday, Jul 25 2013 11:30

Share on twitter Share on facebook Share on digg Share on reddit Share on stumbleupon ?

On the final day of the 2012/13 Serie A season, Fiorentina travelled to Pescara knowing that a
victory over the Delfini and AC Milan failing to overcome Siena would see the Viola secure a
place in the Champions League next season. In the end, their 5-1 win over the bottom placed
side neednt have mattered as a late Philippe Mexes strike ensured Milan would be plying
their continental trade in Europes elite competition again next year.

It was tough for Fiorentina to take, especially with potential suitors for striker Stevan Jovetic
circling like eagles, ready to pounce on their weakened prey. In the end, despite interest from
Arsenal and Juventus, it was Manchester City who secured the signature of the Montenegro
international earlier this month. Yet, regardless of losing a key asset, the Italian side have
strengthened considerably this summer already to counteract the loss of the 23-year-old.

Mario Gomez, Joaqun, Massimo Ambrosini and Josip Ilicic have all arrived at the Stadio
Artemio Franchi, while Juan Guillermo Cuadrado saw his loan move from Udinese turned
permanent one after an impressive campaign. Factor in the long-awaited return of Giuseppe
Rossi from injury and the possibility of holding onto Adem Ljaji, despite interest from the
Rossoneri, and head coach Vincenzo Montella has an abundance of attacking talent available
to him for the forthcoming Serie A campaign.

Such is the strength in the Fiorentina attack that many a footballing connoisseur have been
pondering how the team will line up next season, with genuine fears that they may appear too

top heavy against the likes of Juventus and Napoli, who finished first and second
respectively. With Montella unlikely to compromise the solidity of the midfield - with Borja
Valero, Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro the trio that look set to be first choice in the
middle of the park - the Italian is likely to persist with his five-man midfield, utilising two
wing-backs to provide the width.

Last year, Cuadrado and Manuel Pasqual were the pairing to have done so and with the
forming attaining an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.51 - only Jovetic (7.53) accrued
higher for Fiorentina - and the latter Montellas captain, its unlikely that the duo will be
dropped in favour of any new arrivals. Its likely that a place on the frontline will be the hotly
contested position for the current incumbents and the new arrivals, although its expected that
Gomez will be the focal point next season.

The German scored a goal every 79.7 minutes for Bayern last season, regardless of his
peripheral role in the first team, needing just 27.1 touches per goal. With Fiorentina creating
72 clear-cut chances - only Juventus (87) created more in Serie A - its expected that the
fabled Mario Gomez Button will be pressed more than the 11 times it was last year.
However, with Jovetic creating 13 of those 72 - no Viola player created more - an inventive
threat will be needed to support Gomez on the frontline.

While Ljajis future hangs in the balance - Fiorentina are keen for him not to go the same
way as Riccardo Montolivo and its reported that hell either be sold this summer or sign a
new deal - in creating 7 clear-cut opportunities for the club last year, he falls behind both
Ilicic and Joaqun (10) in the creative stakes. However, what stands the Serbia international in
stronger stead is his goal getting and assisting ability. While the new arrivals were able to
create the chances, Ljajic still accumulated 11 goals and 8 assists over the season, a better
return than Ilicic (10 goals, 2 assists) and Joaqun (4 goals, 6 assists).

Yet, it could be argued that Ilicics goal return for Palermo would rank him higher in the
pecking order than his new teammate, especially when taking into account that his former
club netted just 34 Serie A goals last season - the Slovenia international directly contributed
to 35.3% of their goals. That figure easily overshadows that of Ljaji, whose direct
contribution for Fiorentina was 26.4% last season in a team that netted 72 goals, though that
tally was vastly superior to Palermos. Add Joaqun into the fold, and the Spaniard either
scored or assisted 18.9% of Malagas 53 La Liga goals last term, and for a player who
operated on the flank for much of the season, it isnt necessarily a bad return from the 32year-old.

The acquisition of both Ilicic and Joaqun will undoubtedly swell the creative options
available to Montella, while providing ample competition for a starting spot. It could even be
argued that the former would make for a more than adequate replacement for Ljaji, should
the midfielder sign for Milan this summer. With the creativity of the former Palermo man, its
undeniable that a player of Gomezs striking ability will thrive from the extended playing
time hes expected to attain with the Viola next year.

Performing as excellently as he did during the 2012/13 campaign with Palermo - the club
failed to win any of the nine games Ilicic didnt start last year, picking up just two points
from a possible 27 in the process - will have ultimately impressed Montella. For a team that
also scored just the 14 left footed goals in Serie A last year, the addition of a player who
netted 8 with the same foot - only Erik Lamela (11) scored more - will add a further
dimension to their attack and allow Fiorentina to build on their 4th placed finish. It leaves a
number of supporters wondering what could have been had they been able to convince
midfielder Montolivo to snub Milan last summer - the team that pipped the Gigliati to the
Champions League in May.