Speculation persists over the Viola’s talisman forward, though Connall Shaw argues the club must keep hold of their N.22, should they hope to finish within the top three.
Picture the scene. You’re in a boat, gently drifting down a river lit by marmalade skies, on your way to your dream destination. Then, all of sudden, a huge storm looms over you, the water beneath you begins to boil and you’re thrown overboard. Everyone’s screaming and it must be the end of the world.
That is just how some worried souls have described Fiorentina‘s first week back since the New Year (albeit not to such an extreme degree.) Paulo Sousa’s men initially looked to be in cruise control as they breezed past a tame Palermo side on Wednesday afternoon, before they were dismantled by Lazio in an embarrassing 3-1 home defeat, just three days later.
Panic is in the air, as the Viola’s top team credentials are being called into question by some, whilst the main question still remains regarding their ability to obtain Champions League qualification.
Well, let’s get one thing clear. It’s certainly not the end of the world, let alone Fiorentina’s season and it’s time to calm down just a tiny, tiny bit.
Having said this, some immediate changes do need to be made.
Avoiding the obvious need to spend, there’s one thing the club perhaps haven’t realised yet. They need to start playing Giuseppe Rossi more often.
Shunned from the starting lineup since his return from injury, Rossi has struggled to show what he’s truly capable of this season. With such little playing time, it comes as no surprise that he has been linked with a move away on-loan, in order to regain form in time for the new season.
It may seem a sensible idea, but it’s really not what Fiorentina need. They need him now, whether he be at the top of his game or not.
The game against Lazio serves as perfect evidence. The Viola looked uncomfortable in attack – an unwelcome pattern that is starting to emerge – Nikola Kalinic was stranded up front and cut off from any service other than long balls from defence and the team was crying out for some individual brilliance. Enter Rossi.
Seconds after stepping on the pitch, ‘Pepito’ almost scored with his first touch, cruelly denied by a well-timed save. In fact, his two shots fired goal-wards were the first registered on target by the entire team so far that match.
Whilst unable to go on and claw the result back, Rossi provided attacking inspiration for his comrades. It’s clear that his enthusiasm for the game and desperation to prove his worth drives him forward and it’s this kind of spirit that is needed when the final sprint comes along.
Fighting for a top three finish whilst contending in the Europa League is never going to be easy and with Ilicic already showing the early signs of fatigue, it’s time to put faith in Pepito and finally let him start successive games. Having now seen how the team performs without their most in-form player, it cannot be stressed enough how much they require a class alternative.
In short, Rossi is a difference maker and when at his best, would easily fit into the starting XI of some of Europe’s elite. If Fiorentina discard him now, then they’re effectively shooting themselves in the foot, as a player of his calibre is not easily found in this day and age – and let’s face it, the club are going to need all the talent they can get in order to maintain their form when the going gets tough.
