Viola: Heartbreak
(Someone needs a hug.)
This was probably the most devastating match I've watched all season. Fiorentina kept Cassano quiet, were the better team for most of the match, and achieved a fantastic fightback (thanks to Teh Bobo and a soft but probably legit penalty) only to let the three points slip through their fingers in the last second. What was so frustrating was that you could see Samp's second goal coming -- the moment Mutu converted his PK (in the 85th minute) the Viola were so excited they just quit concentrating. They were trying to force themselves to calm down but it didn't work, at Samp drew level in the 94th minute, leaving Fiorentina with a only a two point lead on Milan for the last CL spot. Sigh.
Fiorentina 2 - 2 Sampdoria
Maggio 63 (S), Vieri 78 (F), Mutu pen 85 (F), Gastaldello 94 (S)
Fiorentina: Frey; Jorgensen, Gamberini, Ujfalusi, Pasqual; Donadel, Kuzmanovic (Liverani 66), Montolivo; Santana (Semioli 74), Osvaldo (Vieri 54), Mutu
Sampdoria: Mirante; Gastaldello, Lucchini, Accardi; Maggio, Pieri, Palombo, Delvecchio (Sammarco 54), Franceschini (Bonazzoli 85); Bellucci, Cassano (Volpi 75)
Too warm for the pleather, but Cesare is still working about 90 layers.
This actually happened during the match, but I'm putting it here because it's awesome.
A ball got loose on the pitch while play was going on, and Cesare and his skillz ran out to rescue things.
&hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts
The tifosi, as usual, were out in force, enjoying the football and the insanely gorgeous day and environment.
And, also, dreaming big. *sniff*
Elsewhere, meanwhile, Bobo was catching up with very scary old friends.
Look how expressive Bobo is, even with half is face covered.
(Yes, everyone has caught Walter Mazzarri's mouth-covering paranoia.)
Oh, and Montella was there, too! Bobo's partied played with everyone on earth, he hands out many pregame hugs.
Right, to the match. As you can see, Osvi was a surprise starter up top, with Pazzini suspended and Bobo slow.
He was, well ... barely noticeable, really.
He worked hard, but didn't get much done -- he didn't really create anything, and failed to finish a great chance Kuzi set up for him.
He spent a hilarious amount of time fixing his hair -- it's a hardcore nervous tic.
In good news, he's still insanely pretty. Good to know that's not changed while he's been on the bench.
In his hard work and non-productiveness, Osvi had a companion in Santana.
He did what he always does -- slip by people with his mad dribbling skills and then ... doing nothing with it.
Of course, he was playing in front of Jorgy who was on fire; that can make anyone look bad.
Especially in the first half, he was everywhere -- kept ending up in the middle of the field, b/c no one could stop him.
Just so you know, Jorgy, you and your freakishly muscled little legs will not be allow to return to Denmark any time soon.
Gambit, normally the rock in the center of defense, had sort of an off day.
He did terrorize Cassano on one occasion, though. That was cool. (That was, sadly, about it.)
Ujfi was better. Ujfi is a pimp. (Ujfi is leaving us.)
He could not, however, stop gross little Maggio from scoring the first goal. (It went through Seb's legs from a tight angle -- not his best day by any means.)
"Oops."
"Interesting. My team have some work to do."
Kuzi got the start ahead of Liverani in the midfield, and started out really well, ignoring Cassano's faces of madness.
He was contorting himself wildly and being all creative.
He had some great freaking moments early. I love when he prances around eagerly, taunting the other team with his skillz.
Contort. Contort. Contort!
He sort of disappeared in the second half for the second game in a row, which is worrying, and ended up being substitute despite this great pufferfish face.
*blinks* *blinks* Whoa. Hel-LO, Kuzi.
As Kuzi vanished, though, Monty was stepping up.
Holy cow he was great in the second half -- the first 10 minutes were pretty much everyone on the pitch watching him play.
His defending continues to be fantastic, too. He just stands there watching people come at him and then suddenly, magically, he's got the ball and is going the other way. (While the Nelson laugh plays in his head.)
Donadel was back from suspension, and immediately commenced his flame-haired running around and regulating.
Well of course he got a card! Who do you think we're talking about here?
So, Bobo and his chest came on for Osvi with about 30 minutes left, because Osvi was doing nothing, and Bobo rules.
He did this.
Look how high he is off the ground, wor Bobo!
Oh hell yes.
That's the game tied, then.
Pubes was SO EXCITED to be on the field again, he was trying to hug while Bobo was busy being serious.
Well, being serious and making awesome RWAR! gestures at the supporters. (They didn't look this funny in real life.)
This is maybe my favorite Bobo picture ever. Monty is so unimpressed.
(Monty still trying to stay away.)
Ah, here we go. As if anyone can resist Teh Bobo, Monty. Nice try, though.
(Fixing Bobo's hair.)
Mutu. (Excuse me while I go slap that hand away.)
He was good, too.
He sort of drifted in and out of the match, but on sum was one of Fiorentina's best players, along with Monty and Bobo. He also showed more flesh than everyone else.
See? *scrolls away quickly before engaging in any licking*
Look at his wee little legs!
He was also, um, a bit stroppy. A lot of whining yesterday, which was annoying.
"Dude. GET THE FUCK OFF." (My god, look at all the skin. I spy Viola briefs.)
And then, five minutes from time, he won a very soft (he was looking for it, but there was contact.) PK.
He sent the keeper the wrong way to put La Viola ahead.
Here comes Pubes again. God, how he's missed all this touching!
The serial hugger got there first and totally blocked him, apparently. Poor Pubes.
Poor Mutu looks scared half the time during his goal celebrations -- if it's not Dondadel, it's Liverani.
King of the World! (For about ... nine minutes.)
Then, with practically the last touch, Samp drew level with everyone in purple just stood around (incorrectly) calling for offside.
"Fuuuuuuuuck."
"Fuck." (How do you say "fuck" in French?)
It was awful, everyone was miserable when the whistle blew. (Prepares yourselves for horrible, tear-jerking pictures of Mutu ahead.)
Bobo cannot believe this shit.
Mutu collapsed in agony.
Oh god. *reaches for tissues*
*weeps copiously*
(Another) huge week ahead: Home to Rangers on Thursday (with Donadel back, if Cesare wants to use him), then away to Cagliari on Sunday, without the suspended Monty.