Samp Spam
(THERE WILL BE NO SMILING HERE, PEOPLE.)
No report from me, since I again wasn't able to see the match. But, based on what the professionals said and the fact that even Walter Mazzarri says Fiorentina were far more motivated than his side, it seems like it's safe to say that the better team (on the day) won, even if it did come down to a ridiculous late save from Wolverine Frey.
All Fiorentina are doing these days is winning, and they're now just a point behind Juve for third, with Lecce away next week, and home to Milan on the last matchday. (Juve have Siena and Lazio, and a new coach to fire them up.)
Fiorentina 1 - 0 Sampdoria; full highlights here
Gilardino 21 (F)
Fiorentina: Frey; Zauri, Dainelli (Kroldrup 26), Gamberini, Pasqual; Felipe Melo (Donadel 56), Montolivo; Semioli; Jovetic, Vargas (Gobbi 78); Gilardino
Sampdoria: Mirante; Ferri (Campagnaro 73), Gastaldello, Raggi; Padalino, Dessena (Sammarco 82), Palombo, Delvecchio, Ziegler; Pazzini, Marilungo (Mustacchio 69)
Hey, look who turned up!
OHAI ADI.
(Cesare approves of his presence.)
You can tell it's very hot out, because Cesare seems to only be wearing one layer.
There were concerns during the week about low ticket sales, but it looks like at least the curva was packed to the gills.
And, as commanded, most of them were purple-clad.
... Purple-clad and possibly coming off a visit to Willy Wonka's place.
Well, the ones who were dressed wore purple, anyway.
To keep the fans from dying/passing out/complaining, they were periodically cooled off.
You know the players on both teams were looking longingly at that water while they toiled in the baking sun. Oh, the tortures of being a footballer.
There was drama all week about "OMG WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION WILL PAZZO GET!?!111!?1," but it was fine -- there were multiple signs thanking him, and he got an ovation the moment he walked onto the pitch to warm up.
"You love me, you really love me!"
(He was pleased. I would link to the article, but C4 has a bug and won't give me a link. You'll just have to believe me.)
Both: "You look so familar. What's your name again?"
Just to switch things up, we'll start with Seb and his mad skillz.
*desperately wishing someone would spray him with that hose*
Apparently Pazzo and Osvi had some sort of bet that they could both give Dainelli black eyes.
Pazzo failed in his first attempt, and was denied another opportunity when Dainelli got hurt and went off early.
Which was a pity, if only because he had his confident thing going on again.
Krol replaced him, and apparently didn't suck. Wa hey!
(Really a vegetarian monster. Promise!)
He seems to have handled the Pazzo Situation just fine, since there was no scoring.
And the same goes for his dealings with pretty Marilungo who took Cassano's place in the lineup. (Cassano was tired, ok?)
Hola, Gambit!
(And hi, Marilungo.)
He seems to be officially over that bad patch he went through a while back, thank god.
He also seems to be over this shit of having to wait for Pazzo to settle the ball before he can go try to kick his ass.
Ah, yes. That's better.
Comotto was suspended again, so it was Zauri's turn at right back. (He's not sure how he feels about Gambit mounting Pazzo.)
He seems to have spent his time handling Ziegler -- well done, Zauri.
Pasqual was opposite him, in his new, permanent home.
Sounds like he was solid if not stellar, and continues to look all kinds of confident.
No prizes for guessing what awesome Peruvian played right in front of him.
(Go ahead, stare at his crotch. I'll wait.)
In addition to being magnificent in general, he apparently was the best player on the pitch in the first half, assisting on Gila's goal and generally striking terror into everyone Samp. (I'm guessing about the last bit.)
Nom freaking nom, people. Jesus.
You can tell he's arrived because the photogs now take pictures of him when he's subbed out. &hearts (Also, LOL @ his stirrup socks.)
"Get me two Vargases, stat!"
"Quit looking at my shoes, people, I'm talking to you."
"Ah, that's a better crop, thank you. Back to the action." [Note: It's 930am and, yes, I'm completely sober. I have no idea where that came from, but I'm sorry.]
Over opposite Vargas, Pubes was back.
It sounds like he wasn't great -- was he bad, or just not his usual, all-running self?
Aw, Monty. Why is this picture so cute?
I found hardly any pictures of him, but he was fine -- quiet, but effective, according to the fan sites.
Apart from a free kick that he absolutely crushed, Melo's game seems to have been a lot like Monty's.
(The free kick in question.)
They both looked lovely and played effectively, just in a quiet sort of way.
Well, apart from when Melo got bored and did the Funky Chicken in an effort to get some attention.
Man. If only the season wasn't almost over -- Melo and Monty are so good together in the midfield, and Jojo and Vargas are alive ... What they all forget everything over the summer? (Also: Holy freaking thigh.)
A more immediate concern for Melo, though, isn't forgetting -- it's his calf, which he screwed up in the second half and forced him to go off.
Donadel replaced him and tried to do Pasqual and Dainelli's Confident thing. (It didn't make him a superstar, but he was solid.)
What up, Jojo Superstar?
It sounds like he wasn't as amazing as he was last week, but he was still good and lively.
Plus, as far as I'm concerned, his run at the start of the game to set up Pubes was more than enough to get him a gold star for the day.
As usual, it took half the other team to stop him whenever he got going.
And look at him, trying to fight his way through rather than falling down! Our boy's all grown up. *sniffle*
Before we get to the goal, have some once and (possibly) future Viola:
Pazzo, showing he still can't keep his tongue in his mouth.
And Dogfish, being captainly.
Righto, Gila time.
He got the highest ratings of anyone in purple, and seems to have been everyone's MOTM.
Jojo was not alone in being impressed.
Aw, check out Vargas and Pasqual in the background -- so ready to come cut a bitch, should it prove necessary.
Wow. Gila's a sweater, huh? (The clingy-kit effect is nice, though.)
His goal was pretty awesome.
Smart cross by Vargas, great, great poacher's finish from Gila -- Pippo would have been proud.
Sweaty ADV: *SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*
There was prancing.
(Pubes seems to think maybe the prancing isn't a good idea, but Gila won't hear it.)
Prancing triumphant past the lonely foot of the fallen keeper.
Yes, this is another of those games -- Gila's every prancing step, preserved for posterity.
God, so SERIOUS. It's actually sort of reassuring that he's stopped that weird smiling thing.
Gila: "There will be no joy in this celebration. Is that understood, people?"
"Name's 'Gilardino,' maybe you've heard of me?"
"I'm the guy who's scored 19 goals without a single PK -- ring any bells?"
Pubes: "I've heard of you!"
Pubes: "Hey, HEY! Back here -- I've heard of you. Give me a hug, you grumpy freak."
Awwww, look at that -- Pubes got him to smile! &hearts
Gila: *tries valiantly to quit grinning, but fails spectacularly*
Somewhat surprising fact: Jojo makes everything 50% cuter, even when all you can see is his hair.
All of Gila approves of this scoring thing.
Cesare in triumph.
Mmm ... Melo. Who seems to have traded kits with someone on his own team. Interesting.
Daw.
Those two definitely bonded over the best kind of corset-like sportswear -- the tighter and more structured, the better!
God. He's as girly as Monty, isn't he?
(I'm pretending he's applauding the Viola fans. Yes, this is wishful spamming.)
Next up is a trip to Lecce -- they're five points from safety, and desperately need a win to have a chance of survival.