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First Half
Udinese began the game but the first real chance fell to Riccardo Montolivo. The Italian international wriggled free on the edge of the box following good work by Mutu. Montolivo made space for himself and unleashed a decent left foot drive but Samir Handanovic had no trouble saving it.
Both teams enjoyed plenty of possession early on. Fiorentina had the better chances as Mutu’s mazy run into the box had the Bianconeri in trouble, forcing Mauro Domizzi to concede a corner.The homeside dominated the early rounds with some spectacular football. Montolivo was pulling the strings. His one-two pass and move with Mutu had Udinese standing but Franco Semioli who got in on the act ran offside.
It was excellent to watch as Cesare Prandelli’s men fired the early warning shoots. Down the other end the Friulani had a few half chances. Pepe’s scuffed shot and Floro Flores’ header hardly did any damage though. It was an open game.
The 4-3-3 formation played by both teams ensured there was plenty of action all over the park. Montolivo was on fire, he was shooting left, right and, center and Handanovic need to attempts to save his right foot blast. Dainelli went into the referee’s book as the game intensified. His two footed challenge didn’t go down too well. Simone Pepe stepped up for the resulting free kick but it was a waste. High, wide and over the bar as the away team struggled to come close.
Sebastien Frey who has been outstanding this season didn’t have much to do. However, his miracle stop on Gokhan Inler proves why the Tuscan club have no intention of selling him.In a rare moment, Gianluca Comotto, who usually never ventures out of his own half, found himself with a great chance to open the scoring. But, true to any central defender, the Viola number 21 blasted wide from out of the box.
Minutes later, Antonio Floro Flores showed the Udiniese stopper how it should be done as he gave the visitors the lead. The Argentinean left Dainelli for dead with a double drag back and fired his strike into the top corner. It was a superb strike by the hit-man who scored his third goal in Serie A this season.
It wasn’t long before Frey had to pull it out of the bag again as Floro Flores latched onto a loose ball but the ‘Keeper was there to save it. Fiorentina never seemed to react to going a goal down.
Heads dropped as the away team raised their game. Marino’s men kept banging at the door but Juan Manuel Vargas was always on hand to charge down the shots. His block on Pepe was excellent as he prevented his side from going further down.
Mutu was guilty of spending too much time thinking of what to do next rather than scoring when Gilardino’s knock down saw him free and unmarked. All he had to do was tap it in but instead a lapse in concentration saw Handanovic make the save.
Second Half
Prandelli’s half time talk as well as the boos and jeers from the crowed seemed to have lifted the homeside as they came out with the agressiveness they were lacking in the first half. Santana won a free kick within seconds of the restart. Mutu stepped up to take it but it was just wide.
Handanovic was lucky as the shot just missed. Mauro Domizzi then gave away another foul as Montolivo’s skill was just too much for the stopper to take and he was forced into the tackle. Semioli smashed it this time but Floro Flores charged it out down.The pressing from the homeside paid off as Domizzi fouled Gilardino in the box as he attempted to connect with Mutu’s cross. The ref had no choice but to award a penalty.
The Romanian stepped up as Prandelli couldn’t bare to watch. The penalty was a-la-Totti as the striker scooped the ball cheekily over Handanovic who dived early. It was a great effort and the all level scoreline meant it was game on.
The crowd were lifted as was Mutu as he jumped up to meet Santana’s cross but the header was just over. The penalty sparked the homeside into life and they didn’t look back as they kept on creating chance after chance. Udinese were rocked and you could tell as they were being stretched constantly. The away side struggled to create and it was obvious as Pasquale tried to play in Floro Flores but the cross was too deep and it was too difficult for the hit-man to turn in at the far post.
Montolivo, who was outstanding on the night, grabbed a second for La Viola, his first goal of the season with a nice finish on the break. Mutu played him in as the Banconeri were ripped to shreds. His finish was low and hard as he tucked the ball into the far post. A quality finish as the home side took control. It wasn’t long before the midfielder made the game safe as his left foot drive ten minutes from time sealed the win. Handanovic had no chance. The ‘Keeper dived but the shot was just too powerful as it smashed the net.
Minutes later Gilardino also got in on the act as he grabbed a goal after he was picked out well by Mutu. It was a typical Gila finish as he tapped in from close range. Udinese fell apart. Di Natale then had the chance to restore pride from the spot. Comotto condeded a penalty after he thought he was Frey and handled Floro Flores’ strike. The defender saw red and the Italian striker made no mistake from twelve yards.
Teams
Fiorentina 4-3-3 Frey, Comotto, Gamberini, Dainelli, Vargas, Donadel(Kuzmanovic), Felipe Melo, Montolivo(Gobbi), Semioli(Santana), Gilardino, Mutu.
Udininese 4-3-3 Handanovic, Motta, Coda, Domizzi, Lukovic, Inler, D’agostino, Pasquale(Di Natale), Pepe, Floro Flores, Sanchez(Quagliarella).
Fiorentina vs Udinese Highlights
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Glasgow Rangers qualified on the penalty kicks against Fiorentina in Italy. After another 0-0 draw like in the first leg, they went to the 12 yard spot. Rangers missed the first penalty, but Fiorentina missed the 3rd and 4th , the 4th by Vieri, and when Glasgow scored the 5th, we all knew what the final looks like 
