In the second half Fiorentina were unable to find a similar verve, with much of the time spent withstanding unfocused but insistent waves of Estudiantes pressure. Gonzalo Rodriguez had an excellent game in a return to Argentina, and was called upon to make several aerial challenges, as well as clear the ball of the line after some uncertain set piece defending. Tatarusanu had to come up with an excellent save after Piccini was outpaced on his wing for the first time all game, while Joshua Brillante and Gonzalo obtained bookings after poorly timed challenges outside the box. Despite his yellow card, however, the 21-year-old Australian was again impressive stationed in front of the Fiorentina defense. Brillante demonstrated himself to be disciplined, calm on the ball, and tireless as he played the full 90 minutes. Fiorentina had the best chance in the finale of the game, as Khouma Babacar (a second half substitute for Bernardeschi) did some excellent work to free Matias Vecino (subbed on for Wolski), who then did well to go past the keeper but then struck the post squarely with his finish. Montella will certainly be pleased with the attitude of his team and the first half performance, and can now look forward to continue tinkering when Fiorentina face Palmeiras in Sao Paolo this week. My top performers (in order): Gonzalo, Gomez, Brillante, Roncaglia.

Estudiantes 0, FIORENTINA 1 (Mario Gomez, 28')

Player Ratings:

Tatarusanu 5.5; Roncaglia 6.5 (Tomovic 6), Gonzalo 7, Marcos Alonso 5.5; Piccini 6, Wolski 6.5 (Vecino 6), Brillante (6.5), Borja Valero 6 (Matias Fernandez 6), Vargas 6 (Pasqual 6); Bernardeschi 6.5 (Babacar 6.5), Gomez (6.5); Montella 7.

i dont want to get my hopes up

how strong a squad was it?

i dont want to get my hopes up

how strong a squad was it?

Just about everyone in that XI who was with Fiorentina last year played plenty, except for Mario Gomez, but he's Mario Gomez.

I don't think the big names not there are competing with Brilliante for DM.

Edited by paladisious: 27/7/2014 09:01:25 AM

missing from this game who featured heavily last year was Aquilani who played at CDM and Pizarro as a general centre mid, both haven't returned to pre season yet. Well Pizarro just caught up with the squad as he was in Chile for his holiday. Aquilani is out of contract and there are rumors of him going to New York City. Even with these two taken into consideration I saw a few people worried that Fiorentina didn't have anyone who would cover a lot of ground in their midfield which Brillante can. If can't break into the starting XI there is the Europa leaguewhich they might play a slightly weakened side and the cups which would still be a decent introduction to Europian football.

missing from this game who featured heavily last year was Aquilani who played at CDM and Pizarro as a general centre mid, both haven't returned to pre season yet. Well Pizarro just caught up with the squad as he was in Chile for his holiday. Aquilani is out of contract and there are rumors of him going to New York City. Even with these two taken into consideration I saw a few people worried that Fiorentina didn't have anyone who would cover a lot of ground in their midfield which Brillante can. If can't break into the starting XI there is the Europa leaguewhich they might play a slightly weakened side and the cups which would still be a decent introduction to Europian football.

It's all looking really positive for Brillante, crazy to think he could be starting come start of season. Good luck to him anyway.

Our last lot of "exports" Sainsbury, Vidosic, Bozanic and Ryan all walked straight into european first division football which is amazing stuff. Hopefully the trend will continue and managers help these kids find the right clubs that offer them a genuine chance of playing first team not like the rogic debacle.

Players like Langerak, Rogic, Amini etc can learn from this mentality, instead of jumping ship to the first big club that comes calling.

Agreed. Hopefully players are learning to question their agents more. Sainsbury's comments before he left were along the lines of 'I will only leave CCM if I'm guarenteed first-team football in Europe. He patiently waited and is now at a club that rates him as a starting XI player.

Players like Langerak, Rogic, Amini etc can learn from this mentality, instead of jumping ship to the first big club that comes calling.

Agreed. Hopefully players are learning to question their agents more. Sainsbury's comments before he left were along the lines of 'I will only leave CCM if I'm guarenteed first-team football in Europe. He patiently waited and is now at a club that rates him as a starting XI player.

Players like Langerak, Rogic, Amini etc can learn from this mentality, instead of jumping ship to the first big club that comes calling.

We're gonna win the Asian cup.

Any word on Yeboah haven't heard much about his progress at Gladbach?

Agreed. Hopefully players are learning to question their agents more. Sainsbury's comments before he left were along the lines of 'I will only leave CCM if I'm guarenteed first-team football in Europe. He patiently waited and is now at a club that rates him as a starting XI player.

Players like Langerak, Rogic, Amini etc can learn from this mentality, instead of jumping ship to the first big club that comes calling.

Spice Budan: "I like Brilliant. Contact with purple?'ll See"

Igor Budan, deputy director of sports Spezia, in the course of a long interview to Radio Blu , reveals a curious backstory of the market: "Brilliant has already signed with Fiorentina? Too bad, it's a profile I follow more than a year. I like it very much as a player. Affairs with Fiorentina?'ll see, maybe the Aussie can come in handy once the cause purple. "

We had bloody better.

Amini is on the bench for BVB friendly match today, i can see why he wasn't involved with the second team yesterday.

They need to loan him out they cant keep him in the II team till his contract runs out. Needs to go a Bundesliga 2. team if possible.

Also Langerak isn't starting, instead its a new keeper playing. Quite a concern that too.

Edited by Barca4life: 28/7/2014 12:55:05 AM