Champions League: Fiorentina make it through

Fiorentina have made it through to the champions league group stages for the second consecutive season. Thus, Serie A has four teams in the Champions League draw for the 2009/2010 campaign. They made it difficult for themselves though and continued their shaky start to this season. After a draw in Bologna at the weekend Fiorentina have today strengthened their squad by signing Lazio want away wing back Lorenzo De Silvestri yet he was not in the squad for tonight's game. It was at first end to end stuff with Fiorentina and Sporting Lisbon carrying much in the same way as they did in the first leg last week. Vargas looked sharp once more for Fiorentina and pulled much of the strings for them during the first 30 minutes or so. However, Sporting took the lead through a stunning Moutinho free kick that left Frey stranded. Fiorentina were shell shocked and could have fallen further behind before the break. However, teenage sensation Stevan Jovetic was introduced for the second half and should have scored immediately but dragged his effort wide. The Florentine faithful were understandably disappointed but they did not have to wait much longer to have something to cheer about. Stefan Jovetic showed all the composer to suggest that the comparisons with Roberto Baggio are not unfounded. His first touch offset the defender and then he slid the ball home. Fiorentina then asserted their quality on the game and could have taken the lead themselves, but it ended 1-1 and Fiorentina will be in tomorrows draw as they embark on their second straight Champions League campaign.

Calcio Mercato
Roma finally made a significant signing this summer as they captured Nicolas Burdisso on loan to sure up their defence. Napoli have offloaded Zalayeta to Bologna for around 4 million, and Livorno have added Nelson Rivas to their defence as Inter continue to trim down their squad. Fiorentina also began to add to their squad as a long season looms on the horizon for them now Champions League qualification has been assured. Their defence has been sured up with the signing of Lorenzo De Silvestri, a right back, from Lazio for around 6 million Euros. For Lazio one of their three 'dissenti' has now been shifted, and reports have suggested that the other two, Goran Pandev and Cristian Ledesma, may be on their way to Udinese in a swap deal for Gaetano D'Agostino. Time will tell over this one. One signing that does look more plausible for Lazio is defender Michele Canini from Cagliari. They highly rated young stopper could make his way to the Capital on a loan and then buy deal, a reports suggest this deal is very likely and negotiations are underway, with Lazio defender Stendardo going the other direction.