Another disappointing result for Fiorentina, this time at Palermo, leaves Delio Rossi’s misfiring side hovering perilously close to the Serie A drop zone with the winter break fast approaching.
A clinical finish from former Viola forward Fabrizio Miccoli and Josip Ilicic’s superb second half free kick proved to be the difference in what was a closely fought contest in Sicily. However, the result could have been markedly different had Cesare Natali not seen his shot bounce agonisingly off the bar, or had one of Riccardo Montolivo’s long range efforts found the back of the net.
In truth though, the result was entirely predictable. In six games at the Renzo Barbera so far this season, the Rosanero are yet to drop a single point. The Viola’s form away from the Artemio Franchi meanwhile is atrocious, with just two draws and four defeats to show from their travels during the current campaign.
Rossi believes his side deserved better from what proved to be an emotional return to his former club, saying: “We conceded against the run of play and made a big mistake on Miccoli’s goal. There is a lot of work to be done, though we did do some good things and perhaps deserved more from this game.”
Rossi’s side are not alone in their homesickness this season, with Palermo themselves boasting an inferior away record. The problem for the Viola is that their home form is hardly scintillating either, with just one victory recorded since September.
With the side having failed to register a single league goal since the 1-0 victory over Genoa in October, and a daunting double header with Roma and Inter on the horizon, it’s difficult to see where the next victory is going to come from.
Despite the difficult start to his tenure as Viola coach, Rossi remains optimistic, saying: “Can we recover the situation? Obviously, otherwise why would I have come here? There are strong foundations and I am not a coach who is just passing through. I’ll try to bring Fiorentina back to where they belong.”
He may have to do so without Juan Manuel Vargas however, as the midfielder this week became the latest in a long line of Viola players to be linked with a move away from the Artemio Franchi in January.
The Peruvian has shown largely indifferent form this season, but that hasn’t stopped various sources from linking him with a move to Inter, Arsenal or Liverpool once the transfer window reopens. Should that be the case, Rossi may be left looking a little light on midfield options, with Montolivo still looking certain to depart in January.
With three difficult looking fixtures left until the winter break, it’s not inconceivable that the club could be mired in the relegation zone during the Christmas period, and should the long-rumoured exodus of the club’s most talented players ensue, Rossi may have his work cut out to ensure that the Viola avoid becoming this season’s Sampdoria.
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