Fiorentina made it two wins from as many games to take control of Group K in the Europa League after brushing aside Dinamo Minsk 3-0. La Viola, who had beaten French side Guingamp by the same margin in their opener, were confronted with a side that had won all of their European matches at the Traktor Stadium this season but which were beaten 6-1 at PAOK Salonika last time out. Yet the Italian ...Full Story »

The first hat-trick of Alberto Aquilani's career was not quite enough to edge Fiorentina past Genoa in a thrilling Serie A encounter at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The attacking midfielder is not known for his goalscoring ability, but twice pegged Genoa back after Alberto Gilardino and Luca Antonini netted for the visitors. Aquilani reached a personal milestone when giving fourth-placed Fioren...Full Story »

Make it bye bye, Benitez HAPPY MEMORIES ... Rafa Benitez lifts the Champions League trophy in Istanbul RAFA BENITEZ will emerge from the Anfield tunnel to a sound unheard in 151 days as Chelsea interim boss — a rousing ovation. Not, though, from those Blues supporters who travel to Merseyside. The reception Benitez is guaranteed on Sunday will come as a thank you from Liverpool support...Full Story »

Malaga's week to forget ended on a high as Julio Baptista gave them something to smile about with an injury-time winner in a 1-0 success against Osasuna. Manuel Pellegrini's side were dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage on Tuesday thanks to Borussia Dortmund's injury-time heroics, and the fall-out was unpleasant. The club's president complained that their exit was bas...Full Story »

Alberto Aquilani scored twice and set up another as in-form Fiorentina brushed aside 10-man Atalanta 4-1 to record their fifth successive Serie A victory. Aquilani took centre stage after Atalanta's Giacomo Bonaventura had cancelled out Gonzalo Rodriguez's early opener for Fiorentina. The former Roma and Liverpool midfielder put the Viola back in front with a brilliant free-kick in the 42nd mi...Full Story »

Former Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani believes the high asking price placed on him by the Anfield outfit prevented him seeking a move away from the club before his switch to Fiorentina. The Italian sealed a move back to Serie A last week after a miserable three-year stint in Merseyside, two of which he spent on loan at Juventus and AC Milan after failing to force his way into the first t...Full Story »

Fiorentina signed Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool on Friday with media reports putting the fee at €7 million. "Fiorentina announces the aquisition of Borja Valero Iglesias and Gonzalo Javier Rodriguez from Villareal Club and Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool Football Club," the club said on their official website. Italian media suggested that Liverpool will pay part of...Full Story »

BBC Sport reports that Liverpool have accepted a bid from Fiorentina for midfielder Alberto Aquilani. The Italian was part of the Reds' United States tour and participated in their pre-season friendlies but has now flown back to Italy to finalise the return to his homeland. He stated recently that he was optimistic of returning to the first team fold under new manager Brendan Rodgers but it...Full Story »

Liverpool are poised to boost their transfer funds by offloading Alberto Aquilani to Fiorentina and selling back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones to Norwich. Aquilani, 28, who commands an annual salary of more than £6million, was left out of Liverpool’s squad for the final game of their North American tour in Baltimore as he discussed a £7m permanent move. He has spent the previous...Full Story »

Malaga's Brazilian forward Julio Baptista will be out of action for four months after surgery on the Achilles tendon in his right leg, the Spanish club said on Tuesday. The 30-year-old former Arsenal and Real Madrid player missed most of last season with injury problems, making only four league appearances before having surgery on his right foot in December. The Brazil international will be ...Full Story »