Fiorentina file

Like Ivan’s Brighton, Fiorentina have had a problem scoring. This is hardly surprising as our two main strikers are injured: Gomez and  Rossi. I was critical that we did not buy another experienced striker but the owners were more intent on hanging onto Juan Cuadrado with Real Madrid and Barcelona sniffing. I was wrong. The youngster Bernardeschi looks a great prospect and after 5 years the Senegalese Babacar is delivering. Last night Inter were overwhelmed at the Franchi with each goal being a super shot. For the first Babacar turned and with minimum back lift found the net with a rising drive, then Cuadrado burst through and scored from distance in full flight. For the third Tomavic dribbled powerfully into the box and completed with a low finish.

With Bernardeschi and Babacar we are talking of a new B team to follow Baggio and Borgonovo: Batistuta and Baiano. Talking of Bati, he is to be inducted in Fioretnina’s Hall of Fame. With plans to build a £300m stadium on the site of the fruit market at Mercatur these are exciting days at Fiorentina. We are also making headway in the Europa League, topping our group after 2 wins.

Juventus and Roma are again dominating and played out a 3-2 victory for the Vechhia Signora yesterday in a game with 3 penalties. Napoli under Benitez are struggling and I would not be surpised if he gets the sack : they only just scraped through against Torino.