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UEFA CUP: Centurion Pazzini sets new goal

by Paolo Menicucci

/noticias.info/ ACF Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini wants to celebrate his 100th game with the Viola by scoring his first goal in European competition against Rosenborg BK in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

Century
"I still haven't scored in Europe," he said ahead of the Round of 32 first-leg trip to Norway. "Scoring in the UEFA Cup would be brilliant for me." The 23-year-old joined Fiorentina from Atalanta BC in January 2005 and has since registered 21 Serie A goals for the Viola, appearing 99 times in all competitions. "Reaching my century is a really good achievement. It means I have done a good job for the club and have contributed something. That's exactly what I want to do and is even more important than scoring goals. On Thursday, however, I will do my best to celebrate my 100th game with a goal."

Vieri pressure
Pazzini, who struck a hat-trick for Italy's Under-21s against England in the first match at the new Wembley last March, had been expected to be first choice up front after Luca Toni left Fiorentina for FC Bayern München last summer. He has found the going tough, though, with the experienced Christian Vieri providing stiff competition. The 34-year-old former Italian international, who misses the visit to Rosenborg through injury, has scored four times in Serie A and three times in the UEFA Cup.

'Under the microscope'
Pazzini, nonetheless, has risen to the challenge: hitting five goals in his last six appearances to move back up the pecking order in Cesare Prandelli's attack. "I don't care if I'm always under the microscope, I will keep doing my thing," he said. "I'm in top condition and don't feel any kind of pressure. We have dropped a few points in the league recently but want to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season. We know it will be difficult given the teams we're up against, but we won't give up in any competition." notas_de_prensa_archivo