Palermo vs Fiorentina preview - Gilardino will regain scoring touch - Marchionni
Posted Sunday, February 13, 2011 by PA
Fiorentina midfielder Marco Marchionni is confident team-mate Alberto Gilardino will end his goalscoring drought at Palermo on Sunday.
Gilardino has scored just seven goals for the Viola this season, his last against Lecce on January 23.
"I don't see Gilardino struggling," said Marchionni. "Certainly a striker lives off goals but Alberto is a very important player for us.
"I am convinced he will score 15 goals this campaign and he will end his drought against Palermo."
Gilardino will be given a helping hand with winger Adrian Mutu expected to start against Palermo having come on as a second-half substitute in Fiorentina's 1-1 draw at Parma in the last round.
That result left the Viola in 11th place.
Fiorentina fans will be hoping Mutu can spark their team to claim its first win on the road since last March.
"We are happy that Mutu is back in the team," said Marchionni. "He is extremely important for us and he will no doubt help us to get our season back on track."
Sinisa Mihajlovic's men will have to show a vast improvement if they are to surprise a Palermo side that has won its last seven games at La Favorita.
Palermo won 4-2 at Lecce in the last round to climb to fifth place.
They are level on 40 points with Udinese and just two points behind Lazio, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.
Palermo coach Delio Rossi is delighted with his team's performances of late but insists his team cannot get obsessed by their position just yet.
"There are many games left to play," said Rossi. "There is no point in looking at the table right now.
"Things can turn when you least expect and that is why my players have to remain focused.
"We have a squad full of talent, our future, though, is in our own hands."
Fiorentina will have to overcome the absence of Per Koldrup.
The Danish defender sustained a knee injury in Friday's training session and will be sidelined for a month.
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