Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino will miss his club’s next two games in the Champions League, owing to a ban imposed by UEFA. The Italy striker was sent off for elbowing Jeremy Toulalan of Lyon during their matchup in France.

Losing ‘Gila’ comes at a critical time for la Viola, since the next match is against Liverpool in Florence. The absence of the attacker will leave coach Cesare Prandelli with no option but to line up emerging talent Stevan Jovetic and Romanian forward Adrian Mutu upfront.

The Gigliati have struggled to score goals this season and will clearly miss the services of the 27-year-old hitman, since Mutu has been dealing with off-field distractions stemming from his legal problems with former club Chelsea.

According to the club’s official website, UEFA’s Disciplinary Commission decided to suspend Gilardino for the next two Champions League games, meaning he will make his return on the European stage during early November, in a home game scheduled against Hungarian club Debrecen.

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano