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Manuel Pasqual and Federico Bernardeschi both had a hand in key goals for Italy as the senior and U21 sides recorded important wins in European Championship qualifying on Tuesday night.

The Viola skipper came off the bench to set up Leonardo Bonucci for the Azzurri’s second goal in a 2-0 triumph over Norway in Oslo, after Simone Zaza had opened the scoring.

Meanwhile the young striker equalised for the Under-21s to spark a devastating comeback against Cyprus as Italy eventually ran out as 7-1 winners. The result confirmed the Azzurrini’s place in the play-offs for the 2015 European Under-21 Championships.

During the game Bernardeschi picked up what appeared to be a minor knee injury, which will be assessed tomorrow when he returns to Florence.

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Midfielder Milan Badelj met the media for his first press conference as a Viola player this morning. Here’s what he had to say:

“It’s an honour for me to don the Fiorentina jersey. I’ve always dreamt of playing in Serie A and hopefully I can make myself useful to the team as soon as possible.”

What are your strengths?
“I was thrilled to learn about Fiorentina’s interest in me. I’m generally at my best playing in the middle of the park.”

Were there other teams after you?
“I don’t know. I just focus on training hard and playing well.”

You scored against Lugano.
“Yes, it was a very nice goal. Hopefully I can grab a few more.”

Why did you choose No.5?
“No particular reason.”

Who is your idol?
“Zidane.”

Pizarro?
“David has given so much to the game and beyond it too. I’m sure I can learn a lot from him.”

Can the two of you play together in the middle?
“I don’t see why not.”

Some people say you’re a skilful player who’s a bit short on pace.
“Hopefully I can keep showing the skill while being a bit faster in my movement.”

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Giuseppe Rossi underwent keyhole surgery on his right knee in Vail, Colorado today.

The operation, performed by Dr. S. Singleton, revealed good stability of the cruciate ligament that was previously operated on. During the surgery, it was also possible to suture repair his recent medial meniscus injury.

Rossi will remain in Vail this week for further monitoring. After that he will begin his physiotherapy in New York before continuing in Florence.

The striker’s return to sports activity will be determined by the specialist and is estimated to be in four to five months’ time.
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ACF Fiorentina will meet FC Lugano in a friendly match tomorrow, 5 September, at 19:30 in Stadio Comunale Ascona.

Before the game, at 15:45, there will be a joint ACF Fiorentina and FC Ascona press conference in the meeting room of the Ascona Eden Roc Hotel.

All of this is part of the partnership project entered into with FC Ascona last spring, aimed at furthering the development of the Swiss team’s youth set-up and first team. The combined effort of the two clubs will allow for the implementation of a model developed over a number of years – one that has been in place for some time at Fiorentina. School will have a key role at the centre of the project, just as the Fiorentina School – a high school with a strong emphasis on sport – does back in Florence. After that, the next step will be to implement the Promesse Viola education model with the help of qualified personnel. Finally, training will be given to the technical, medical and management teams at FC Ascona.
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