Juventus Season 2015-2016

[Socrates 8522]

JUVENTUS - LAZIO

3 - 0

Mario Mandžukić (39')
Paulo Dybala (52')
Paulo Dybala (64')

MATCHDAY 34
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Referee: Paolo Mazzoleni

JUVENTUS 3-0 LAZIO – ALMOST THERE…

http://www.juvefc.com/juventus-3-0-lazio-almost/?

Apr 21, 2016

A few weeks back, I had this marked as one of the three fixtures where I saw a possibility of losing points. Napoli’s games against Inter and Roma were the parallel tricky ties for our major foes for the title. We edged the Milan game, which was first on my list, then faced Lazio in the second. My fears were reasonable given the recent resurgence seen under the guidance of Super Pippo’s younger brother, yet our drive, strength and vastly superior talent comfortably won the match. Considering the chances created, 3-0 flattered our opponents. For without a sterling performance from Marchetti, we could have been 5 or 6 up by the interval.

This was a comprehensive victory which highlighted the superiority of Juve. Over not just those hanging onto our coat-tails, but the league as a whole. We were simply too good for Lazio.

The first half saw multiple chances created for the home side. Some were near misses, others were well saved by the keeper. The only close to serious risk we ran was a rare lack of communication between Buffon and Rugani, yet the potential mess was quickly cleaned up. Other than which we were dominant, full of fight, desire and confidence.

Lichsteiner was in supreme form, owning the right flank in ways which Cuadrado could never manage for 90 minutes. Dybala, back from injury, is looking ever more likely to become a world star.

When the goal came, it was no surprise. And I was pleased for Mandzukic, whose toil and zeal is phenomenal. Not only did he score the opener, but he played a superb pass to create the third, putting Big Sami through who served on a silver platter the opportunity for Dybala to complete his brace (with his right foot!).

We ran no risks, collected no new injuries, and its tricky to suggest any player who was anything but brilliant. Only Hernanes seemed less than perfect. Yet considering he rarely plays consistently, and so his sharpness is expected to be off, he filled in well enough for Marchisio.


Player Ratings

Buffon 6.5 - Hardly tested. I do not recall a meaningful save until the second half. Nothing to do but enjoy the team’s domination of our opponents.

Barzagli 7 - Back to his best. Never troubled and made a wonderful sliding tackle late on in the box. Great to see him enjoying his football and offering all in his path short-shrift. Bodes very well for La Nazionale.

Bonucci 7.5 - Supreme. In matches such as this he seems world class. Did not put a foot wrong. Commanded from the back, had no need to bomb forward as the midfield were in control. Was always nearby to support his apprentice in Rugani. A joy to behold.

Rugani 7.5 - Definitely growing in confidence and also ability. He had seemed very much like the careful, considerate youngster for earlier games, yet in this fixture I saw him maturing, developing his game, feeding off the great players around him who are clearly having a positive effect both during matches and in training. Daniele was moving forward with more glee, putting his foot through the ball in challenges and truly seems to be blossoming in the shirt which now feels more comfortable. The silver lining to the Chiellini injury cloud is the run of games afforded to the 21 year old. His future appears already gilded with glory.

Lichsteiner 7.5 - His finest form of the season. A shame it has come a little late for Europe, but never-mind. Why wallow in hindsight when we have the Swiss Locomotive steam-rolling through opponents, owning the wing defensively and proving a constant thorn in the side of our foes up top. His work in the final third set up several great chances. His energy, fitness and sharpness are running in top gear and whilst we definitely need an alternative at RB/RWB, I am confident we have one of the finest in the game in that role for at least another two years. Powerful.

Khedira 7.5 - Another player who finally, at this late stage of the season, appears to be reaching peak fitness and sharpness. Superb assist for the third, showed greater pace than I have seen previously, mopped up at the back, finds time on the ball even in the thick of the action and rarely wastes a pass. If we can keep him fit for longer periods next season, our success is set to continue and blossom.

Hernanes 7 - As aforementioned…The Brazilian has not found any meaningful run of games since our form picked up late last year and absent of which, we must expect rust on the boots. His job was to perform the duties usually supplied by Il Principino. And whilst a few passes went astray, we didn’t miss Marchiso in the slightest, which leads me to offer praise for his performance. Much maligned by many, for me, Hernanes has been average. Many players need a run of games to find their rhythm. It is normal. And the midfielder signed as probably a 3rd or 4th choice target has simply not found the continuity to deliver his very best. With Marchisio now out until perhaps late this year, more likely early 2017, it is important for Allegri to test both Lemina and the former Lazio man in the role of fulcrum, which is a step or two away from pure regista. I felt he recycled the ball well, showed intelligent positional sense and tried to pick out the best pass whenever finding the ball at his feet. Seemed quiet, yet I find this often of Marchisio in the same position, for the duties are first and foremost to screen the defence, offer an outlet to the defence and keep the ball moving swiftly and smartly. All of which he achieved.
 
Pogba 7 - Weighed in with an assist, proved a menace in both phases of defence and attack and constantly pushed the team forward. Solid showing from a player who has gained maturity this season and is learning to keep things simple when before he would try to be too fancy.

Sandro 7 - His passing was a little haphazard at times, yet his tackling and covering was top drawer, pace welcome and whilst he does not yet own the flank in as powerful a way as Lichsteiner often does on the right, his ability on the ball is superb. Not his best game, but far from his worst…yet he has not had a bad game all season!

Mandzukic 8 - A smartly taken goal, plentiful interceptions, wonderful assist for the move which led to Dybala’s second, hacked to pieces yet continued to batter his way through Lazio. A potent weapon in such fine fettle, and one I hope we retain for next term.

Paulo Dybala - Outstanding. 9.5 - This showing made me regret offering to BelgianJuventino the end of year analysis of the strikers, for I could quite easily conjure a beautiful novella focused on the sensational talent of our young Argentine. At times I perceive him as a bizarre mixture of Romeo and Lucien De Rubempre For he has such divine talent at such a young age, yet the duo I mentioned, whilst of comparable passion and genius and beauty, can only compare on their ascent to stardom. As Dybala has steel in his femurs. He is reaching for the stars and despite already close to shining as bright as any others in the galaxy, his interest lies in the universe. He was nothing short of sublime against Lazio. Evidently the coaching staff have added muscle to his guile; he can now ride tackles and has become exceptionally dangerous not just in the box as was shown at Palermo last term, but all over the pitch. To call him a trequartista is misleading as his game has become so expansive that he is comfortable not just waiting for the ball, but winning the ball anywhere from central midfield to the goal-line. He constantly searches for either a pass or space to receive. His dribbling, shooting, distribution and positional prowess have all come on in leaps and bounds. I am in awe of this gem we have uncovered in the mega rough. And find it hard to argue with the suggestion that he may well be destined to become one of the greatest of all time.

The kid is special. In fact, I would go as far as to suggest that he has more to potentially offer than Tevez and Del Piero. For he seems to have the grit of his countryman aligned with the god given delicacy of the italian. We can but hope that his love for the club drives deep in his heart and that he remains in our colours for many moons to come. For there will be huge interest this Summer, from the elite clubs, and thereafter the same, with growing volume and larger sacks of gold, every transfer window.


12 points to play for, 9 points clear, with a superior goal difference and head to head record with Napoli. If we triumph in Florence and Sarri fails to plot a path to victory in Rome we can celebrate a remarkable 5th straight scudetto this coming Monday. Essentially, all calculations and permutations lead to the fact that we require 3 points from 12 remaining to march over the finishing line and pop open the champagne. I will not yet talk of that achievement for reasons which can at best be described as superstitious. Our recovery from a series of injuries to key players (which continues to plague the side) and the loss of several world class talents in the Summer has been nothing short of miraculous. This can be measured in all its glory only when and if we find those 3 points still required…

Lazio did not bow down as sacrificial lambs. They were simply outclassed, outgunned, outran. And they are no mugs.

It is evident when watching performances as controlled and well managed as this one, why we offered Bayern more trouble than any other has managed in any competition this season, for when something counted hugely to their squad of titans and much lauded manager, they sneaked past a Juve bereft of many first XI weapons, solely with the help of luck and exceptionally poor and pivotal decision making from the officials. We matched one of the finest sides the world has ever known. Which bodes well for our future.

In Morata, Pogba, Dybala, Sandro and Rugani we have five young players of world class potential. Add in the experience of the veterans – of which the eldest (Barzagli and Buffon) are sure to last at least another season at the top level – and a couple of high quality signings in the Summer, leads to a side capable of challenging anyone. The perfect mixture of youthful exuberance and finesse with wily experience and ultra professional mentality. All of which essential ingredients for glory, when added to the spirit of this squad, makes our future look exceptionally bright and wondrous. In fact I will allow myself to jump free of Reason and Practical considerations of the obstacles we face (mainly against the clubs run by brutal oligarchs and Shieks who directly support the US/NATO led ISIS and Al Nusra crowd) and fly free into the clouds of boyish dreams…We have the makings of the finest Juve side I have seen since the 90s. The side which reached 3 consecutive Champions league finals.

Truly I believe we could become that dominant a force in Europe.

Allegri, Marrotta (who recently won Director of the Year) and Paratici – above all others – have not just consolidated the return to prominence forged through Conte’s zeal, they have used that as a foundation and continued the steady march towards becoming a powerhouse of the elite. Maybe the poorest at the table, yet solely in gold, for our history, prestige and present bite, snarl and menace on the battle-field have forced the others present in such a group to show us respect and treat us as kin.

I sense the beginning of a golden era…

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Juve’s midfield reshuffle

Claudio Marchisio’s injury left a gaping hole in the Juventus midfield.
Luca Cetta analyses how the Bianconeri can minimise the loss.

http://www.football-italia.net/83198/juve%E2%80%99s-midfield-reshuffle?

Apr 22, 2016
 
Opening up a nine-point gap at the top of Serie A with a resounding 4-0 victory over Palermo should have been cause for celebration at Juventus. Instead, there was little to cheer last Sunday as Claudio Marchisio was stretchered from the field with what was later confirmed to be a serious knee injury.

The worst fears were realised when it was announced to be an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ending Marchisio’s season and his involvement in Euro 2016. The club stated he won’t be back in training until September. “I’m sorry for him,” Alessandro Del Piero stated, after speaking to Marchisio, “but he mustn’t forget that he’s young and - even if it sounds like a cliché - you come back stronger from injuries like this.”

Marchisio took over the role at the base of Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield trio vacated by Andrea Pirlo. While not an exact copy of the Maestro he has proved an important cog in the Bianconeri machine. According to WhoScored.com, only Leonardo Bonucci has made more passes, but nobody with as many games under their belt as Marchisio had his sort of accuracy – 88.5%. He may not have Pirlo’s range, but Marchisio was vital. Juve flowed through the Turin native.

The question for Juventus is, who fills the hole? Allegri proposed two names. “[Mario] Lemina and Hernanes are both in contention for the role in front of the defence,” he said on Tuesday. It was a position Juve had a tough time filling at the start of the term as Marchisio sat out with injury. Simone Padoin and Hernanes were utilised, neither to great effect. But Allegri has no qualms about giving the Brazilian another chance.

Hernanes started against Lazio on Wednesday, as the Old Lady cruised to a 3-0 success. It was just his eighth Serie A start of the campaign. The Brazilian looked assured, was readily involved and kept possession ticking over. In a match where Juve looked to dominate proceedings, the influence of Hernanes shone through.

Whereas this Sunday when the Bianconeri go to Fiorentina – a potential Scudetto decider depending on Napoli’s result at Roma a day later – the defensive steel of Lemina could sway Allegri. The Coach remarked only on Tuesday that Lemina was growing, but had to “improve his defensive game from a tactical point of view.”

Yet there can be no arguing against his ability to win the ball. His 2.3 tackles per game is the highest in the squad – not forgetting he’s made only eight League appearances. Against a Viola side normally so vibrant and determined in what will be their biggest match of the campaign, Lemina’s defensive ability will come into play, in addition to his tidiness on the ball.

Juventus had high hopes for the midfield trio of Marchisio, Sami Khedira and Paul Pogba this term. For one reason or another, mostly fitness related, the trident featured just 15 times in all competitions. Without the presence of Marchisio there will be greater responsibility for Sami Khedira and Paul Pogba. And both are brimming with confidence.

They each played a part in the goals on Wednesday. It was Pogba who fired the ball across for Mario Mandzukic to open the scoring. Then, Khedira centred for Paulo Dybala to finish it off past the hour mark. The pair both scored against Palermo last Sunday. Pogba has four goals and five assists in his last six matches, Khedira a goal and assist since returning from a two-match ban.

Rather than feel shackled by the weight of expectation as at the start of the season, Pogba is enjoying his football and the results are evident. Meanwhile, Khedira has shaken off the fitness concerns which dogged his early months. He has played his way into form as the season has progressed. The pair must continue in this vein over the final month.

Rumours have linked Juventus with a Marchisio replacement for next term, somebody who can help fill the gap until the No 8 is fit and firing. That may not be until 2017. For now, while losing Marchisio is a big blow, Allegri does have options in reserve and two players in fine form.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Vecino skips Fiore-Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/83200/vecino-skips-fiore-juve?

Apr 22, 2016
 
Fiorentina midfielder Matias Vecino won't be able to face Juventus after picking up an injury against Udinese.

The Viola host their long-time rivals on Sunday evening. This will be the third game in nine days for both teams, because of Serie A's midweek round.

The Uruguayan midfielder had to be subbed off during the game against Udinese last Wednesday, as he was reporting muscular pain.

The injury appeared to be superficial and no communication from Fiorentina suggests otherwise, but La Repubblica relates that the player will not be able to join his team against the Bianconeri.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Juventus lose Sturaro to illness

http://www.football-italia.net/83218/juventus-lose-sturaro-illness?

Apr 22, 2016
 
Stefano Sturaro will not travel to Florence with the Juventus squad, as he’s suffering from mumps, but he was suspended anyway.

The midfielder has made 16 appearances for the Bianconeri so far this season, and while he'd have missed the game at Fiorentina in any case, he has been sent home to recover from his illness.

“Stefano Sturaro underwent a medical check-up today with Doctor Libero Tubino, which revealed a severe case of mumps,” a statement on Juventus’ official website announced.

“The midfielder will therefore rest and receive antibiotic treatment for the next 4-5 days.”

It was also announced that Claudio Marchisio has begun his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery for a cruciate ligament injury.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina - Juventus MATCH PREVIEW

http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/preview/70163

Apr 23, 2016
 
Fiorentina are aiming to pick up their season but face a monumental task doing so against Juventus, who have been in imperious form.

The Viola have seen their campaign fall away of late, slipping to fifth as rumours of strife within the club circulate around. A dismal run of just one win from nine games has killed off hopes of securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.

And, while they remain on course to clinch the consolation of the Europa League, Paulo Sousa’s men are aware they cannot afford any more false steps in case that slips away too. Unfortunately, their dismal record of late looks set to continue with the visit of Juventus on Sunday.

Facing Massimiliano Allegri’s men is a fearsome proposition for any side at this moment with the Bianconeri marching unstoppably to a fifth consecutive Scudetto. Even the loss of key midfielder Claudio Marchisio has failed to deter the champions from dominating those before them.

The title feels close now given how Juventus have opened up a nine-point gap over second-placed Napoli and the characters present in the Turin camp are unlikely to allow any loss of focus to allow the southerners back into the race, as they enter the final straight beginning with Fiorentina.


Keep an eye on: Paul Pogba (Juventus) — Criticised at the beginning of the season while his team struggled, the young Frenchman’s turnaround has coincided with Juventus beginning their inexorable march towards another title. Now the undisputed leader of the midfield given Claudio Marchisio’s absence, Paul Pogba will be ready to put on another inspirational showing against Fiorentina in order to fire them closer to success.


Form guide: Fiorentina (D D L W L) Juventus (W W W W W)

Last season: Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus

 

Stat fact: The Bianconeri are undefeated in 30 of their last 33 games against Fiorentina


Fiorentina (probable)

Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, G.Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Badelj, Vecino, Alonso; Borja Valero, Ilicic; Kalinic

Suspended: None


Juventus (probable)

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Cuadrado, Khedira, Lemina, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala

Suspended: Sturaro

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina v Juventus: Preview

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/match/431923/fiorentina-juventus/preview

Apr 23, 2016
 
Massimiliano Allegri will have no complaints if he has to watch Juventus being crowned Serie A champions from the comfort of his living room.

Should Juve claim all three points from Sunday night's trip to Fiorentina, their players and staff will have to tune in to Napoli's capital-city encounter with Roma the following day to see if their performance in Tuscany will have been enough.

In reality the reigning champions are unlikely to be caught if they pull 12 points clear in Tuscany, given Napoli have an inferior goal difference, but victory in Rome would keep champagne on ice in Turin.

Head coach Allegri, who landed Juve's fourth straight title last season, is suitably determined to make the current Scudetto question an academic one.

He told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport: ``We have to play a great match in Florence, and then I won't rule out the idea of celebrating in front of the TV on Monday.

``It would be good to be able to move forward with this group of players, and even improve it, so we can enjoy another great season and do better in the Champions League, as we choked a bit this year.

``We had our heads under the water early in the season, but we did not drown.''

Martin Caceres, Roberto Pereyra, Neto and Claudio Marchisio are ruled out of the Stadio Artemio Franchi clash through injury, while Giorgio Chiellini is unlikely to feature despite returning to training.

Midfielder Stefano Sturaro, regularly deployed as a second-half substitute, is suspended.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, are likely missing on-loan Leicester right-back Yohan Benalouane and striker Khouma Babacar as they target another win to raise flagging spirits.

La Viola did beat Sassuolo in their last home fixture, but Wednesday's reverse at Udinese was a third in their last seven games.

Their poor form in March and April means the Tuscans can forget about gatecrashing the Champions League places, but boss Paulo Sousa is confident he can right the wrongs of recent weeks.

``We understand that this is a match that means a lot to everybody, so we want to make the fans happy and proud of us,'' he told La Repubblica Sport.

``We have been doing everything we can to find a way to get a positive result from this game.''

Juve have failed to win a league game in Florence in their last three attempts and the Bianconeri will be particularly keen to avoid a repeat of the 4-2 defeat they suffered in October 2013.

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina vs. Juventus: Team News, Preview

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2634564-fiorentina-vs-juventus-team-news-preview-live-stream-tv-info?

Apr 23, 2016
 
Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Lazio brought Juventus to the brink of a fifth-consecutive Serie A title, but bitter rivals Fiorentina will look to prolong their wait for the trophy when they host the Bianconeri on Sunday evening.

The home side have endured some poor results of late—winning just one of their last nine outings in all competitions—but boss Paulo Sousa explained the significance of their next outing shortly after losing to Udinese earlier this week.

“This weekend is a big game with Juventus and one that the fans care about a great deal,” the coach told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia), and the former Juventus midfielder will be under no illusions as to how difficult this clash will be for Fiorentina.

OptaPaolo ✔ ‎@OptaPaolo
67 - Juventus have gained 67 points out of a possible 69 in their last 23 games, a Serie A record in a run of 23 matches. Tremendous.

Indeed, the Bianconeri are still undefeated since winning against city rivals Torino back in October—also progressing to the final of the Coppa Italia for the second successive year—and defender Andrea Barzagli expects that streak to continue.

“Tonight represents an important step forward in our season, now we need to keep going by turning in top performances,” he told Sky Italia moments after the win over Lazio (h/t Juventus' website). “We’ve grown a great deal and our results don’t surprise me at all.”

That triumph owed much to the performances of Paulo Dybala and Paul Pogba—a matter discussed at length in this previous post—and coach Massimiliano Allegri is likely to rely on that duo once again against Fiorentina.

Pogba has already weighed in with 10 goals and 12 assists this term, both figures representing career highs from the 23-year-old France star. Meanwhile, Dybala is enjoying a remarkable first campaign in Turin, his brace against Lazio taking his 2015/16 tally to 20 in all competitions, adding eight assists of his own.

Supported by the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira, Juve’s young duo will look to shine once again against La Viola, helping Juventus take another step towards clinching yet more silverware in the coming weeks.

 

Probable Formations

 

Fiorentina (3-4-2-1)

Ciprian Tatarusanu; Facundo Roncaglia, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Davide Astori; Federico Bernardeschi, Milan Badelj, Matias Vecino, Marcos Alonso; Borja Valero, Josip Ilicic; Nikola Kalinic

Unavailable: Yohan Benalouane and Khouma Babacar (both injured)


Juventus (3-5-2)

Gigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sami Khedira, Mario Lemina, Paul Pogba, Patrice Evra; Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala

Unavailable: Neto, Roberto Pereyra, Giorgio Chiellini, Martin Caceres and Claudio Marchisio (all injured), Stefano Sturaro (suspended)


Key Battle

While Fiorentina’s campaign has undoubtedly been tumultuous, Borja Valero remains an important member of the side and is undoubtedly the key man in their attack. When fielded in a deeper role, the Viola miss the Spain native’s creativity as his passing becomes much more influential when he is higher up the pitch.

Weighing in with four goals and six assists, stopping him will be vital if Juventus are to take points home from the Stadio Artemio Franchi, which is perhaps why Allegri is expected to start Mario Lemina rather than Hernanes in midfield.

The Gabon international has overcome some injury problems and developed into a solid stand-in for the absent Claudio Marchisio, turning in some impressive performances in recent weeks.

As discussed in this previous post, Lemina’s future remains uncertain, but he would do well to show himself capable of stopping Borja here and help Juventus take another step towards clinching the Serie A title.


Player to Watch

While that midfield battle is likely to have a major influence on the final result, there is little doubt that any hope of a positive outcome for Fiorentina rests squarely on the shoulders of Gonzalo Rodriguez.

Playing in the centre of a three-man back line, the club captain often finds himself single-handedly repelling opposition attacks, receiving little help from the underperforming duo alongside him.

Indeed, while Davide Astori and Facundo Roncaglia continually make error-prone displays, Gonzalo—inexplicably not a regular member of the Argentina national side—is the one reliable central defender in the Viola squad.

OptaPaolo ✔ ‎@OptaPaolo
21- Gonzalo Rodriguez has scored 21 goals in Serie A, at least 11 more than any other defender since 2012/13. Bomber

According to statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, the 32-year-old—who has bagged four goals this term—has made an average of 1.3 tackles, 2.6 interceptions and 4.3 clearances per game in 2015/16.

Also connecting with 87.1 percent of his 62.2 pass attempts per game, Fiorentina will undoubtedly need Gonzalo at his very best if they are to hold the Old Lady at bay on Sunday evening.


Odds (via Odds Shark)

Away win: 51-50

Home win: 68-25

Draw: 239/100

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Allegri: 'Fiorentina tough for Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/83250/allegri-fiorentina-tough-juve?

Apr 23, 2016
 
Max Allegri warned Juventus that “it’s the game of the season for Fiorentina” and they mustn’t wait and hope for Napoli to slip up at Roma.

It kicks off on Sunday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

“Giorgio Chiellini is doing well, but he won’t play,” said the Coach at the start of his Press conference.

“On Wednesday we played a game that lasted 50 minutes, as Lazio went down to 10 men and we got in control. I will have to evaluate those who need to rest, but above all it is an issue of avoiding excessive strain.

“The only problem is that Chiellini is not fit, so I could use Daniele Rugani or even Patrice Evra in three at the back.”

The Bianconeri could celebrate the Scudetto on Monday afternoon if they beat Fiorentina and Napoli lose to Roma.

“The Scudetto doesn’t depend on us tomorrow. We have to get a result in Florence and that won’t be easy, as it’ll be their game of the season considering they’ve already secured their European place and have been preparing for a week, having rested many stars against Udinese.

“Historically it is very difficult for Juve in Florence and I think we haven’t won there in Serie A for four years. It’s also not said that if we get a result with Fiorentina, Napoli won’t get a result at Roma.

“So we’ll celebrate when it’s time to celebrate, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There are another four rounds to go and we have to face each match the same way, regardless of other results.

“It is also important to reach May 21 and the Coppa Italia Final against Milan in the best physical and psychological condition.

“Fiorentina have scored more in the opening half-hour than any other side, I believe, so we have to focus on being at our peak throughout the game. We want three points tomorrow.”

Allegri confessed the Champions League elimination has stuck in his throat.

“We have to improve in terms of self-belief. Naturally it was tough to swallow that we went out to Bayern Munich at the last minute and then in extra time.

“We are working towards having a great Champions League campaign next season. Nothing is impossible and you need the right self-belief to conquer certain objectives.”

Paulo Dybala has been a revelation at such a young age, making fans quickly forget Carlos Tevez.

“Dybala had a fine season. The injury he had was in a way useful, as it helped him recharge the batteries. All players have a dip in form during a year, it’s physiological, but he’s now back to his best.

“Sami Khedira hasn’t played three in a week, but he has been rested in parts of the last few games, so I’ll evaluate today if he can start.”

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Sousa: 'Viola courage with Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/83255/sousa-viola-courage-juve?

Apr 23, 2016
 
Paulo Sousa concedes Fiorentina “rivalry” with Juventus makes it a special clash. “We need character, courage and ambition.”

It kicks off on Sunday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

“The meeting with the fans went well, just as our rapport has been very good so far,” noted the Coach in a Press conference.

“The supporters have always been close to us and, just as they criticised when things went wrong, they cheered us on when we showed the values closest to their ideals. That is what we must work on.

“We are well aware that this is a match that means a lot to the fans and the city. This is a game to be won and we have to give not just everything we have, but more than that.

“Unfortunately the statistics are extraordinary. As I said many times, Juventus also have an important history and sporting culture behind them. It makes them very strong indeed.

“It also means they don’t have to deal with the same problems as elsewhere, so they can rapidly get over difficult moments, are aware of their greatness and my colleague Max Allegri is keeping them constantly motivated and focused on victory.

“They never lower their guard or look at opponents with arrogance. That is something every side should learn from.

“I believe that with all the difficulties this game represents and all that Juve have achieved so far, if you feel this match inside, something more always emerges from the lads. I see they feel the importance and therefore I think positive.

“There is rivalry, it is felt on both sides, it has been there for many years and will be felt for a long time to come. It does permeate every area of the game.”

Fiorentina are a constantly changing unit, fresh from a 2-1 defeat to Udinese, so what approach does Sousa want?

“We need a Fiorentina side with character, hopefully maintaining the ability to emerge from pressure that we showed in Turin, but above all being perfect in our transitions from defence to attack.

“We have to be ambitious, to create chances, have the courage to act in front of goal and be decisive. Matias Vecino is out, there’s no chance of getting him back in time for tomorrow.

“What we had at the start of the season was the group getting the best out of individuals rather than individuals pushing the team along.

“We all feel the importance of this match for the city and the jersey, so we must give more than 100 per cent. We must plan out a strong strategy, because this is a game we have to win.”

The Viola suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to relegation battlers Udinese on Wednesday evening. Are they becoming tactically predictable?

“It was mainly due to the attitude of our opponents, who sat back and blocked off spaces while catching us on the counter. It might be similar against Juventus, as despite all their quality, they have no problem sitting deep with 10 or 11 players behind the ball.

“We have to make more of our own approach and not rely too much on how the other side plays. Udinese went for vertical balls to the strikers straight away, but we did create chances and it wasn’t enough to turn it around.”

Sousa was asked if his contract with Fiorentina had a release clause to leave early if he received a big offer amid reports of Zenit talks.

“No, there is no clause on that. Are there other clauses? You have ways of getting access to my contract, so I won’t sit here listing the entire thing.

“There was a sense of fatigue and drop in intensity, even for me and not the team, but I tried to overcome it quickly by pushing myself and the squad to the full.

“In my veins I have the desire to win and I always have done. I pushed everyone to win from the start, even risking some internal fractures within the locker room.

“After that, you do feel a drop in intensity and in future I will learn to deal with it much better.”

 

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Normal Service Resumes For Fiorentina And Juventus

As Juventus look set to wrap up a fifth straight Scudetto, Kevin Pogorzelski takes a look at the reasons behind Fiorentina’s
recent collapse and why the club has fallen so far behind the league leaders despite such a promising start to the campaign.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/04/normal-service-resumes-for-fiorentina-and-juventus/?

Apr 23, 2016
 
A week can feel like a long time in football, and the last few months must feel like an eternity to Fiorentina fans, given the change in fortunes since they last met Sunday’s opponents Juventus in Serie A.

Back on 13 November 2015, the Viola were flying high domestically and looking as though new coach Paulo Sousa had finally found the formula that would deliver the Champions League riches that had alluded predecessor Vincenzo Montella.

Fiorentina sat second behind big spending Inter, but had dismantled the Nerazzurri 4-1 in a convincing display at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at the end of September, as Nikola Kalinic was surprising everyone in Italy with 9 goals in his first 15 matches of the season.

In contrast, the Bianconeri looked to be faltering in the wake of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez leaving the club, trying to find a new identity whilst attempting to retain their all-encompassing dominance of Italian football.

After coming so close to a first historic treble, Massimiliano Allegri’s men failed to win any of their first three matches and looked someway off a fifth consecutive scudetto, as the weight of their famous number ten shirt seemed to weigh heavily on Paul Pogba.

However, fast forward five months and the tables have turned almost full circle. Although victorious against Sassuolo last weekend – their only win in seven games – Fiorentina are in freefall and Sousa looks powerless to reverse their fortunes.

As for the Bianconeri, despite a disappointing exit from the Champions League to Bayern Munich, the Old Lady have been nothing short of unstoppable since the Viola visited Turin, and sit pretty at the top of the table with a nine point cushion over nearest rivals Napoli and could be crowned champions on Monday.

Credit for that achievement must go to the subtle touch and unflappability of coach Allegri, the 48-year-old choosing to patiently wait for the new arrivals to blend gradually with the rest of the squad – particularly Paulo Dybala.

While Kalinic was banging in goals for fun over in Florence, many in Turin were questioning why someone who cost €32 million from Palermo, and considered proven in Serie A, was so often warming the bench.

However, while the Croatian suddenly looks as though he could have been a flash-in-the-pan – just two goals since their November encounter – Juventus’ starlet looks worth every cent after being given the time to become a fundamental part of the team.

With four games remaining Dybala, with 16 Serie A goals to his name, could still beat fellow Argentine Tevez’ haul of 20 goals last term, and is the only Bianconeri player to hit double figures this season.

AC Milan struggled against Carpi on Thursday night, a result which will probably see the Viola cling onto fifth place by the smallest of margins, but a season that once promised Champions League qualification is likely to end with Europa League football again at the Franchi next term.

Arguably, as reigning champions and investment made in replacing that famous trio, Juventus were always likely to recover and mount a significant challenge for the title, but even with a change of coach the Viola are simply treading water in Serie A.

Reports are already speculating that Sousa will depart this summer, but there seem very few reasons why anyone in Florence would want the Portuguese to remain in Florence if they really harbour hopes of reaching the European elite.

Instead of once expecting the Old Lady to arrive with three games to go and contest the Scudetto, the Viola fans are back to looking for bragging rights over their bitter rivals in what would be a relatively hollow victory.

With Napoli, Inter and AC Milan improving under new leadership this term, questions must be asked why, regardless of coaching appointments, Fiorentina are destined to always fall short in the race for the European promised land.
 

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina squad for Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/83264/fiorentina-squad-juventus?

Apr 23, 2016
 
Fiorentina are again without Matias Vecino and Khouma Babacar for tomorrow’s grudge match against Juventus.

It kicks off on Sunday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

Coach Paulo Sousa confirmed there was no chance Vecino would be recovered in time for this game and he is missing from the squad list.

Striker Babacar and defender Yohan Benalouane also fail to make it and will watch from the stands.


Fiorentina squad for Juventus:

Alonso, Astori, Badelj, Bernardeschi, Blaszczykowski, Borja Valero, Costa, Fernandez, Ilicic, Kalinic, Kone, Lezzerini, Pasqual, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Roncaglia, Satalino, Tatarusanu, Tello, Tomovic, Zarate

 

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Chiellini has new knee sprain

http://www.football-italia.net/83266/chiellini-has-new-knee-sprain?

Apr 23, 2016
 
Giorgio Chiellini suffered another knee sprain in training, so is out of the Juventus trip to Fiorentina.

It kicks off on Sunday at 20.45 CET - 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

Coach Max Allegri had already stated in the Press conference this morning that Chiellini would not be able to play, but a note on the club website confirms the defender suffered “a light sprain to his right knee and his condition will be monitored closely over the coming days.”

Roberto Pereyra returns to the fold after his fitness problems.

Stefano Sturaro is suspended, while Claudio Marchisio, Norberto Neto and Martin Caceres are also injured.


Juventus squad for Fiorentina:

Buffon, Khedira, Zaza, Morata, Pogba, Hernanes, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Lemina, Bonucci, Padoin, Dybala, Asamoah, Rugani, Lichtsteiner, Evra, Rubinho, Pereyra, Audero

 

SERIE A TABLE

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

FIORENTINA VS JUVENTUS MATCH PREVIEW

http://www.juvefc.com/fiorentina-vs-juventus-match-preview-scouting/?

Apr 23, 2016
 
Juventus

After the convincing win against Lazio, the Scudetto is mathematically four points away. Should Juventus win against Fiorentina and Napoli drop points against Roma, we would celebrate on the couch on Monday. It certainly feels like the title race quickly moved from a wide open contest to a one-sided affair in two weeks. Napoli fought valiantly, but the Bianconeri’s pace was irresistible. However, considering our terrible start after a massive overhauling of the roster, many teams will regret in the future the fact that they did not seize the chance to win this year’s championship.

Giorgio Chiellini recovered from his hamstring injury but suffered a knee sprain, hopefully minor stuff as the club indicates. Roberto Pereyra re-joined the squad list. Stefano Sturaro is suspended and also ill so he will miss the game, alongside the long-term injured Claudio Marchisio, Martin Caceres and Norberto Neto. Alvaro Morata returns from a suspension so all the four strikers are available.

Massimiliano Allegri has opted for a no-rotation approach in the previous two matches in order to avoid letdowns and seal the deal as soon as possible and that is commendable. Only the two wingbacks changed, but there is no drop-off between one couple and the other in those positions. It is a logical consequence to expect him to field the best lineup available on Sunday night. So it will be a 3-5-2 with Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele Rugani in front of Gianluigi Buffon, Sami Khedira and Paul Pogba in the midfield and most likely Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala upfront, but Morata has a chance to take Mandzukic’s place.

The doubts are on the flanks and in the heart of the midfield. Fiorentina has a lot of quality on the wings and it is possible that he will choose a more cautious approach with Stephan Lichsteiner and Patrice Evra, even though it would be tempting to field an ex like Juan Cuadrado. A battle between Alex Sandro and Federico Bernardeschi or Cristian Tello would be enticing, but the Brazilian left-back has often been benched in matches where he would have to take on more defensive duties. I do not think he is limited in that area, but obviously Evra is much more polished and experienced. Hernanes and Mario Lemina will battle it out for the deep-lying playmaker positions: Hernanes had a decent game against Lazio, but I think you should show more personality in that role, be more involved.

I honestly have never paid too much attention to the talks regarding Allegri’s renewal and his future: I always thought he would stay and extend his contract. The coach came out in the pre-game press conference and announced that he would stay next season, otherwise he would have already informed the management. On Sunday, he stated that he would like the current group to be confirmed.

It is legitimate request and I think one that is shared by many fans. Against Bayern Munich, the squad proved to be much more competitive on the European stage than everybody anticipated, so keeping the band together is be the easiest and fastest way to return to top of the mountain. The three most sought after players appear to be Leonardo Bonucci, but he has sent all the right signals, Paul Pogba and Alvaro Morata. The coach will likely push for their permanence and we will see what the executives will respond: the Morata situation is fluid and their hands are tied and Pogba does not seem eager to leave. Even with negative answers on these fronts, Juventus will be able to provide the coach with a competitive roster. Allegri does not strike me as a person that would leave just to prove a point or because his expectations are not met, so I think we will see him on Juve’s bench for quite some time.


Probable lineup 3-5-2:

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Lichsteiner, Khedira, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala.


Injuries:

Marchisio (knee), Neto (calf), Caceres (Achilles).

Suspensions:

Sturaro.



Fiorentina

The implosion of Fiorentina has been sudden, but not unexpected and also not that damaging. They have won only one game in their last eight, but all in all they will finish either fourth or fifth, which sounds about right. Certainly they started to dream big after the first part of the season, but they were overachieving and they have always been bottlers.

Paulo Sousa have had a positive impact with Serie A, as most of the accomplished foreign coaches do. Things started to go south in January after a botched reinforcement campaign that did nothing to help them go to the next leave and the obit on their Champions League hopes arrived in March and April, when they were smashed by Roma and then failed to win against Hellas Verona, Frosinone, Sampdoria, Empoli and Udinese. Thus, they will have to settle for yet another run in Europa League.

The atmosphere in Florence is uneasy. Paulo Sousa banged heads with the management and the ownership because of some miscues in the summer and in the January window and also because, reportedly, he would like to be more hands-on on the transfer market. There should be a big meeting after the Juventus game and the situation is in flux: some executives could leave in the summer and Sousa’s job is not safe either. Drama at Fiorentina, who could have guessed that.

The tenure of the coach has been overall pretty good, but not irreprehensible. In particular, he overthought some rotations, which were simply odd, and he often failed to properly motivate his team in home games against easy opponents. However, the good was more than the bad and they should definitely retain him and start a cycle with him. Moving Bernardeschi and Tello to RWB was a genius move.

Sousa continued Vincenzo Montella’s tradition and adopted a very European playing style, ball possession-oriented and managed to integrate a good striker into that, Nikola Kalinic, who was deadly until January. The centre forward fizzled out, some say because of fatigue as he did not rest much in the summer coming from the Ukrainian league, and Khouma Babacar did not pick up the slack so their efficiency decreased by a lot.

They interchangeably use 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 as Facundo Roncaglia can both play CB and RB and Bernardeschi and Tello both as RWB and offensive winger. Matias Vecino left the last game with an apparent injury and he will miss this one, leaving the coach with two options: moving Borja Valero to the midfield, while he usually plays as attacking midfielder, or inserting Tino Costa. It looks like the first option is the most likely one, leaving an opening behind the striker. Mauro Zarate did well against Udinese and could have earned himself the starting job, but Tello and Bernardeschi can play there. The other doubt is Davide Astori, who reportedly confronted the rest of the team after the Sassuolo game and was benched against Udinese, when he returned from a suspension. Nenad Tomovic could take his place.

They are very dangerous on the flanks with Marcos Alonso on the left, who grew a lot this season, and Bernardeschi or Tello on the right. They have a bunch of good shooters from distance and they are strong on set pieces. When you have that much quality at disposal, through balls are always an issue. On the other side of the ball, their defence has not always been stout and blunder-free and sometimes their offside trap has some glitches. It is also not a physical team and we know Juventus always take advantage of this aspect.


Probable lineup 3-4-2-1:

Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Badelj, Valero, Alonso; Ilicic, Zarate; Kalinic.


Injuries:

Vecino (hamstring), Benaloune (back), Babacar (hamstring), Kone (hamstring).

Suspensions:

None.

 

Formation

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina v Juventus Preview: Allegri's men
close in on fifth straight Scudetto

Brazilian defender Alex Sandro has described the Italian champions' clash at Stadio Artemio Franchi
as cup final, with the Serie A title within touching distance for the Old Lady.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/fiorentina-vs-juventus/2120719/preview

Apr 24, 2016
 
Alex Sandro has urged Juventus not to let their level drop against Fiorentina ahead of a round of fixtures that could see them clinch a fifth consecutive Serie A title.

Juve hold a nine-point lead at the top of the table and will seal the Scudetto should Napoli fail to match their result when Maurizio Sarri's men visit Roma on Monday.

But first Juve, whose 3-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday marked their eighth consecutive league victory, must overcome a tricky away trip to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Alex Sandro told Juve's official website: "We've approached every game in our run-in as if it were a final and it will be no different against Fiorentina this weekend.

"Every point is precious at this stage of the season. In the final rush to the finish line, we can't afford to let our performances slip or think about anything other than winning.

"We're doing exactly what is required at the moment and the good results are the fruit of the whole squad's great work in the last few months.

"I believed right from the start that we would have a successful season one way or another. Whenever I have spoken about our prospects, I have always said that we have the quality to win the league.

"Now it is up to us to give our all and make sure we become champions as soon as possible."

Fifth-placed Fiorentina's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League appear to be all but over, Paulo Sousa's side are nine points adrift of Roma and will be out of the running for Europe's premier club competition if they are unable to match the capital club's result against Napoli.

Sousa knows the importance of games with Juve to the Fiorentina fans and said after a 2-1 loss to Udinese: "This weekend is a big game with Juventus and one that the fans care about a great deal. The way we worked physically was good preparation for Sunday."

Fiorentina lost midfielder Matias Vecino to a muscle problem in the defeat at Udinese and he will also miss the visit of Juve, although the issue is not believed to be serious. Khouma Babacar (abductor tear) and Panagiotis Kone (muscle) are due back in action soon.

Massimiliano Allegri's visitors are without Martin Caceres (Achilles tendon rupture) and Claudio Marchisio (cruciate ligament rupture).

Giorgio Chiellini (abductor tear) and Roberto Pereyra (muscle) are back in training but this match could come too soon for the pair.

Leonardo Bonucci and Stefano Sturaro are suspended, with the latter also suffering from the mumps.


OPTA FACTS

Fiorentina have won 32 of their 153 league games against Juventus, against the Bianconeri, the Viola have their lowest percentage win among Serie A teams (21%).

Fiorentina have lost 71 games and conceded 250 goals against Juventus; their worst opponent in Serie A.

Fiorentina have won only one of their last 15 league games against Juventus (D6, L8).

The only Fiorentina win against Juventus in the 21st century was the 4-2 in October 2013, the last Serie A game lost from a two goal advantage by Juventus.

Before the reverse fixture Juventus were five points behind Fiorentina, now they are 23 points ahead.

Juventus have conceded only two goals in their last 15 league games, both away from home.

Fiorentina have won only one of their last eight league games (L3).

Juventus (288) and Fiorentina (311) have conceded the fewest shots in the Serie A 2015/16.


LAST FIVE MATCHES

Fiorentina L W L D D

4/20/16 - Udinese 2 - 1 Fiorentina
4/17/16 - Fiorentina 3 - 1 Sassuolo
4/10/16 - Empoli 2 - 0 Fiorentina
4/3/16 - Fiorentina 1 - 1 Sampdoria
3/20/16 - Frosinone 0 - 0 Fiorentina


Juventus W W W W W

4/20/16 - Juventus 3 - 0 Lazio
4/17/16 - Juventus 4 - 0 Palermo
4/9/16 - AC Milan 1 - 2 Juventus
4/2/16 - Juventus 1 - 0 Empoli
3/20/16 - Torino 1 - 4 Juventus


HEAD TO HEAD

12/13/15 - Juventus 3 - 1 Fiorentina
4/29/15 - Juventus 3 - 2 Fiorentina
4/7/15 - Fiorentina 0 - 3 Juventus
3/5/15 - Juventus 1 - 2 Fiorentina
12/5/14 - Fiorentina 0 - 0 Juventus

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Line-ups: Fiorentina-Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/83328/line-ups-fiorentina-juventus?

Apr 24, 2016
 
Juventus pick Mario Lemina to fill in the midfield gaps as they face a very tough trip to old rivals Fiorentina.

The Bianconeri have won 23 of the last 24 rounds, drawing at Bologna, and can celebrate a fifth consecutive Scudetto on Monday if they gain the victory here and Napoli don’t match it against Roma tomorrow afternoon.

Juve are unbeaten since October 28 away to Sassuolo, but have a poor record in Florence, fuelled also by a bitter rivalry.

They haven’t won at the Stadio Franchi in Serie A since a 5-0 triumph in March 2012, followed by two draws and a 4-2 defeat.

Having said that, in all competition Fiorentina have won just one of their last eight meetings with the Turin giants, home and away, losing five.

Max Allegri has to reshuffle, as Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio, Martin Caceres, Norberto Neto and suspended Stefano Sturaro miss out.

Lemina is given the nod to start in midfield, while Daniele Rugani again deputises in the back three.

Paulo Dybala partners Mario Mandzukic rather than Alvaro Morata in attack.

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado returns to face his former club, but is on the bench in favour of Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Fiorentina have to do without Khouma Babacar, Matias Vecino and Yohan Benalouane, while confidence is low after just seven points in the last eight games.

They rested several key players for Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Udinese, as everyone knows how much facing Juventus means to the Tuscans.

Nikola Kalinic has just one goal in 2016, but he is chosen to lead the attack with Josip Ilicic, Cristian Tello and Federico Bernardeschi in support for what seems to be a 4-2-3-1 system.

Mauro Zarate is on the bench with Mati Fernandez.


Fiorentina

Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori, Marcos Alonso; Badelj, Borja Valero; Bernardeschi, Ilicic, Tello; Kalinic

Fiorentina bench: Lezzerini, Satalino, Tino Costa, Zarate, Mati Fernandez, Blaszczykowski, Pasqual, Kone, Roncaglia


Juventus

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Lemina, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala

Juventus bench: Rubinho, Audero, Zaza, Morata, Hernanes, Alex Sandro, Cuadrado, Padoin, Asamoah, Pereyra

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Roncaglia: 'Juve frightening, but...'

http://www.football-italia.net/83331/roncaglia-juve-frightening?

Apr 24, 2016
 
Fiorentina defender Facundo Roncaglia concedes Juventus are “frightening, but we want to put on a show for the fans.”

“Juve are a frightening side, but I hope we get a good result in our favour to make the fans happy,” he told Mediaset Premium.

“We are ready, we want to give our best in front of the home crowd. It’s difficult to beat Juve, especially in their current form, as they have top quality players.

“We too want to show what we can do and put on a show for the fans as well as move up the table.”

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Pogba: 'Fiorentina always tough'

http://www.football-italia.net/83329/pogba-fiorentina-always-tough

Apr 24, 2016
 
Paul Pogba warns “Fiorentina are always difficult to face and Juventus must be concentrated from the very beginning.”

“We haven’t won the Scudetto yet. There are another four points to go, today is important and we need the victory, then we’ll see,” Pogba told Mediaset Premium.

“Fiorentina are always difficult to face and the Coach told us that too. We must be concentrated from the very beginning and keep focused.

“The title will come with time, there’s no need to rush. We are up there now and must think of winning this game.”

 

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MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

HT 0-1: Fiorentina fury as Juve lead

http://www.football-italia.net/83335/ht-fiorentina-fury-juve-lead

Apr 24, 2016
 
Mario Mandzukic has given Juventus the half-time lead, but Fiorentina had a goal incorrectly disallowed and penalty appeals.

The Bianconeri had won 23 of the last 24 rounds and were within touching distance of their fifth consecutive Scudetto. However, they hadn’t won at the Stadio Franchi since a 5-0 triumph in March 2012, followed by two draws and a 4-2 defeat. On the other hand, the Viola had won just one of their previous eight meetings with the Turin giants, home and away, losing five.

The hosts pressed hard from the start to harass the Juve defenders, but Josip Ilicic fired straight at Gigi Buffon and Cristian Tello didn’t get on the end Federico Bernardeschi’s pull-back.

Sami Khedira had the ball in the back of the net after 16 minutes, but was correctly flagged offside on the Mario Mandzukic through pass.

Fiorentina also had a goal disallowed, but this time Bernardeschi was being kept level by Andrea Barzagli when he ran on to the Ilicic through ball and stroked the finish past Buffon. It was a perfectly valid goal.

Buffon showed great reactions to stick out a foot and parry Bernardeschi’s deflected cross at the base of the near post. At the other end, Paulo Dybala’s snapshot also took a deflection to land on the roof of the net and Marcos Alonso made the most of a slight Khedira hesitation to stop him getting the shot away on a Paul Pogba assist.

Buffon got right behind a Tello strike after the splendid first touch, but Juventus took the lead at the Stadio Franchi.

Pogba soared to knock down a Khedira chipped pass and Mandzukic volleyed in with his weaker left foot from 12 yards. This confirms the statistic that of the Croatian’s 10 Serie A goals this season, eight were openers.

Fiorentina fought back, but Buffon flew to flap a Bernardeschi cross-shot out from under the bar and on the resulting corner Marcos Alonso incredibly turned a header wide at the back post from four yards, although there was shirt-tugging from Daniele Rugani and therefore penalty appeals.


Fiorentina 0-1 Juventus (Half-Time)

Scorers: Mandzukic 39 (J)

Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori, Marcos Alonso; Badelj, Borja Valero; Bernardeschi, Ilicic, Tello; Kalinic

Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Lemina, Pogba, Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala

Ref: Tagliavento

 

SERIE A TABLE

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FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 
 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina 1-2 Juventus: Morata puts
Allegri’s men on brink of title

The striker hit the winner in a dramatic finish in Florence as the visitors moved
12 points clear at the top and will be crowed champions if Napoli fail to win at Roma on Monday.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/fiorentina-vs-juventus/2120719/report?ICID=MP_MS_5

Apr 24, 2016
 
Juventus are on the brink of winning Serie A for the fifth consecutive season after substitute Alvaro Morata's late goal and a dramatic penalty save from Gianluigi Buffon gave them a 2-1 victory at Fiorentina on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri's men, who have now won 24 and drawn one of their last 25 league matches, will be crowned champions if Napoli fail to win at Roma on Monday.

Even if Napoli can extend the title race with a win in the capital, rampant Juve will require only one point from their remaining three games to seal the Scudetto.

Mario Mandzukic's 10th league goal of the season – an emphatic first-half volley – had the visitors in front, but the hosts were aggrieved after having a Federico Bernardeschi goal wrongly ruled out for offside prior to the Croatia international's strike.

Nikola Kalinic pounced on an awful defensive error from Leonardo Bonucci to seemingly seal a draw for Fiorentina with nine minutes remaining, but Morata responded from close range just 107 seconds later.

It looked like Juve's charge towards the title would be halted when Fiorentina were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, but Buffon brilliantly denied Kalinic.

Paulo Sousa's fifth-placed side have now won only one of their last nine league games, but this was their first defeat at home since the loss to Lazio back on January 9, while Juve will now hope to be champions before their next match against Carpi in seven days.

Both teams had goals ruled out for offside, with the visitors first to be denied by a flag. Sami Khedira tucked home Mandzukic's flick from close range but was correctly ruled to have strayed beyond the last defender.
There was controversy at the other end a few moments later when Josip Ilicic's throughball was neatly converted by Bernardeschi only for the goal to be ruled out despite the winger appearing to have been level with Juve's backline.

Buffon had to get down quickly to keep out Bernardeschi's deflected cross and a stinging Cristian Tello effort as Fiorentina continued to threaten having made four changes to their starting line-up.

Paulo Dybala had a shot deflected narrowly over in Juve's only other chance of note before they took the lead six minutes prior to half-time.

Khedira sent in a deep cross which was headed back across the face of goal by Paul Pogba and Mandzukic connected sweetly with a left-footed volley into the bottom corner.

Fiorentina were unhappy with the officials again just before half-time. Marcos Alonso was off target with a golden chance as he connected with an Ilicic corner, but was adamant he had been pulled by Daniele Rugani as he attempted his diving header.

Pogba passed up a brilliant opportunity to double Juve's lead early in the second half, stabbing a left-footed shot wide after Mandzukic's pass had sent him racing through on goal.

But Fiorentina were still making much of the attacking running, with Buffon making saves from Mauro Zarate and Kalinic in quick succession.

It looked like Juve were set to see out a one-goal victory until Bonucci was dispossessed by Zarate in a dangerous area and Kalinic swept home a magnificent finish from outside the penalty area.

But Allegri's men moved back in front when a corner was helped back into the box by Mandzukic and Patrice Evra's shot was blocked on the line, with Morata – who had just come on for Dybala – converting the rebound.

An incredible finish to the match then saw another Juve substitute, Juan Cuadrado, concede a penalty with one minute left after he was adjudged to have pulled back Kalinic. But Buffon superbly got down to keep out the striker's spot-kick, as well as the rebound from Bernardeschi.

The drama was not done there either, Kalinic hitting the crossbar with a close-range header as Juve clung on for one of the most memorable wins of the season.

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Buffon lifts Juve in Florence

Juventus snatched a dramatic 2-1 win away to Fiorentina, who had a goal
incorrectly disallowed and saw Gigi Buffon save a last-gasp penalty.

http://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/70163

Apr 24, 2016
 
The Bianconeri had won 23 of the last 24 rounds and were within touching distance of their fifth consecutive Scudetto. However, they hadn’t won at the Stadio Franchi since a 5-0 triumph in March 2012, followed by two draws and a 4-2 defeat. On the other hand, the Viola had won just one of their previous eight meetings with the Turin giants, home and away, losing five.

The hosts pressed hard from the start to harass the Juve defenders, but Josip Ilicic fired straight at Gigi Buffon and Cristian Tello didn’t get on the end Federico Bernardeschi’s pull-back.

Sami Khedira had the ball in the back of the net after 16 minutes, but was correctly flagged offside on the Mario Mandzukic through pass.

Fiorentina also had a goal disallowed, but this time Bernardeschi was being kept level by Andrea Barzagli when he ran on to the Ilicic through ball and stroked the finish past Buffon. It was a perfectly valid goal.

Buffon showed great reactions to stick out a foot and parry Bernardeschi’s deflected cross at the base of the near post. At the other end, Paulo Dybala’s snapshot also took a deflection to land on the roof of the net and Marcos Alonso made the most of a slight Khedira hesitation to stop him getting the shot away on a Paul Pogba assist.

Buffon got right behind a Tello strike after the splendid first touch, but Juventus took the lead at the Stadio Franchi.

Pogba soared to knock down a Khedira chipped pass and Mandzukic volleyed in with his weaker left foot from 12 yards. This confirms the statistic that of the Croatian’s 10 Serie A goals this season, eight were openers.

Fiorentina fought back, but Buffon flew to flap a Bernardeschi cross-shot out from under the bar and on the resulting corner Marcos Alonso incredibly turned a header wide at the back post from four yards, although there was shirt-tugging from Daniele Rugani and therefore penalty appeals.

After the restart Ilicic scuffed a shot and injured himself in the process, making way for Mauro Zarate. Pogba surged forward on the counter only to flash a shot across the face of goal under pressure.

It was end to end stuff, as Buffon had to palm a Zarate low strike and Nikola Kalinic effort round the base of the near post, then Zarate drilled another attempt just wide.

There was an historic moment on 72 minutes, as Rugani was booked for the first time in his entire Serie A career at the 53rd appearance. His last card at club level was in Serie B during Siena-Empoli on March 1, 2014.

Kalinic mistimed his jump and failed to get on the end of an excellent Alonso cross.

Fiorentina got their equaliser when Leonardo Bonucci was caught in possession by Zarate and Kalinic curled a splendid effort into the bottom corner from the D.

However, the Viola were practically still celebrating when a corner was knocked back by Mandzukic, Patrice Evra’s scuffed volley bounced off Milan Badelj’s shin and substitute Alvaro Morata was quickest to react on the rebound to restore Juve’s lead.

The dramatic finale wasn’t over yet, as in the final minute Fiorentina received a very dubious penalty for a Juan Cuadrado nudge on Kalinic. The striker stepped up and his spot-kick was parried by Buffon, who also stuck out a leg to deny Bernardesci’s follow-up too!

It still wasn’t over, as on the corner Kalinic’s header hit the underside of the bar from point-blank range.


Fiorentina

Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori, Marcos Alonso; Badelj, Borja Valero; Bernardeschi, Ilicic (Zarate 53), Tello (Mati Fernandez 62); Kalinic


Juventus

Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani; Lichtsteiner (Cuadrado 88), Khedira, Lemina, Pogba (Asamoah 84), Evra; Mandzukic, Dybala (Morata 70)


Ref: Tagliavento

Saved penalty: Kalinic 90 (F)

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Fiorentina 1-2 Juventus: Clinical Bianconeri
Overcome Wasteful Viola

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/04/fiorentina-1-2-juventus-clinical-bianconeri-overcome-wasteful-viola/?

Apr 24, 2016
 
Juventus beat Fiorentina 2-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday night in Serie A.

Despite the Viola dominating the first half, it was the Bianconeri who took the lead through Mario Mandzukic in the 39th minute.

The second-half exploded into life when Nikola Kalinic equalised in the 81st minute, only for Alvaro Morata to put Juventus back in the lead two minutes later. In the 89th minute Kalinic had a penalty saved by Gianluigi Buffon after he was fouled by Juan Cuadrado.

After a slow start to the match, it was the Viola who created the game’s first meaningful chance.

On the counter-attack Josip Ilicic found Nikola Kalinic, with the Croatian slipping in Federico Bernardeschi, whose deflected cross almost wrong-footed Buffon, but the veteran goalkeeper just managed to divert it wide with his right foot.

Yet, despite Fiorentina’s positive start, Juventus took the lead. Sami Khedira drove forward and lifted the ball into the penalty area, accurately onto the head of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman unselfishly headed the ball down to Mandzukic who expertly volleyed the ball past Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Just before half time Marcos Alonso put a header wide in the six-yard box following a fierce corner.

After the interval it was the Viola who created the first decent chance once again when Kalinic drove into the penalty area but his effort was saved by the feet of Buffon at the near post.

Eventually Fiorentina’s pressure broke through. Bonucci was pressured into giving the ball away by Borja Valero and Zarate with the ball falling to Kalinic, who produced a wonderful curling finish to get the Viola level.

Yet almost instantly the Bianconeri led again. Mandzukic touched a deep corner back to Patrice Evra whose powerful shot was blocked on the line by Badelj, but only into the path of Morata who tapped home.

However, two minutes before full-time Kalinic was awarded a penalty after being pulled down by Cuadrado. But Buffon produced a magnificent double save to deny the Viola.

In stoppage time Kalinic hit the bar from a yard out following a flicked on corner.

The result leaves Juventus in first place, whilst Fiorentina stay fifth in the table.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Juventus close on fifth
straight Serie A title

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/result/result-juventus-close-on-serie-a-title_271338.html

Apr 24, 2016
 
Juventus have taken a big step towards a fifth successive Serie A title after beating Fiorentina 2-1 in Florence on Sunday night.

The victory, which arrived courtesy of a winning goal from Alvaro Morata, means that the Old Lady will be crowned champions with three games remaining if second-placed Napoli fail to beat Roma on Monday afternoon.

Juventus, who have now won 24 of their last 25 league matches, had the ball in the back of the net in the 17th minute when Sami Khedira turned home from close range, but the offside flag was raised following an acrobatic pass from Mario Mandzukic.

The officials correctly chalked off Khedira's effort, but they got one wrong down the other end after Federico Bernardeschi finished past Gianluigi Buffon.

It appeared that the attacker was offside when he collected a fine through-pass from Nikola Kalinic, but the 22-year-old had timed his run perfectly and should have sent his side into a first-half lead against the champions.

Fiorentina were looking the most likely to make the breakthrough as the first period approached its latter stages and Milan Badelj and Cristian Tello both came close for the home side with long-range attempts.

It was Juventus that opened the scoring six minutes before the end of the first period, however, as Paul Pogba headed a Khedira cross into the path of Mandzukic, who smashed home from close range.

Fiorentina had a golden chance to level in the final moments of the half when Marcos Alonso met a corner from the right, but the defender somehow headed wide of the post under pressure from Daniele Rugani.

Tello found Josip Ilicic in a dangerous position as Fiorentina created the first chance of the second period in the 52nd minute, but the attacker sliced his effort over the crossbar as it remained 1-0 to the Old Lady.

Fiorentina continued to search for a leveller as the hour mark approached and indeed passed, with Mauro Zarate and Kalinic both testing Buffon between the Juventus sticks.

The home side finally had a deserved equaliser in the 81st minute when Kalinic lashed a 20-yard strike past Buffon, but their lead lasted less than two minutes as Morata turned home from close range after a weak strike from Patrice Evra to send Juventus back ahead.

Fiorentina had a golden chance to level the scores once again when Juan Cuadrado conceded a penalty in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Kalinic, but Buffon kept out Kalinic's resulting spot kick.

Incredibly, Kalinic was to have another wonderful chance to prevent Juventus from securing all the points, but the 28-year-old crashed a header off the crossbar in the third minute of additional time as the visitors moved to within touching distance of the title.

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Juventus one point from Scudetto

http://www.football-italia.net/83338/juventus-one-point-scudetto?

Apr 24, 2016
 
Juventus need one point to secure the Scudetto – or for Napoli to not beat Roma on Monday afternoon.

The Bianconeri earned a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Fiorentina this evening, their 24th win in the last 25 rounds.

Now Max Allegri’s side will be crowned champions of Italy if they pick up just one point in the remaining three games.

That might not even be necessary, as if Napoli fail to beat Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday afternoon, the title will automatically go to Juve.

It would be their fifth in a row, something the club has not achieved for 80 years.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Morata: 'Buffon is superhuman!'

http://www.football-italia.net/83339/morata-buffon-superhuman?

Apr 24, 2016
 
Alvaro Morata thanked “superhuman” Gigi Buffon for the Juventus victory against “great team Fiorentina.”

Mario Mandzukic’s goal was cancelled out by Nikola Kalinic when Morata tapped in from a deflected corner for the 2-1 lead.

Kalinic had a penalty in the final minute, but Buffon saved both the kick and Federico Bernardeschi’s follow-up.

“It was important to win in an arena where they really don’t like us very much,” smiled Morata to Mediaset Premium.

“We won thanks to a player who is not human. He’s superhuman to save that penalty. We hope to win the Scudetto at the next round.

“Fiorentina are a great team, but we are strong and when we play to the end we’re hard to beat.”

The Bianconeri could win the Scudetto tomorrow afternoon if Napoli fail to beat Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

 

SERIE A TABLE

[Socrates 8522]

FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS

 

1 - 2

Mario Mandžukić (39')

Nikola Kalinić (81')

Álvaro Morata (83')

 
 

MATCHDAY 35
Sunday, April 24th, 2016 - 8:45 PM
Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence
Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

RATINGS: Buffon the hero for Juventus

The Old Lady will be named champions of Serie A tomorrow night should Napoli fail to beat Roma,
as a last-minute penalty save from Buffon saves the three points at Artemio Franchi.

http://www.goal.com/en/match/fiorentina-vs-juventus/2120719/ratings

Apr 24, 2016
 

Fiorentina

12 C. Tătăruşanu - Could have did nothing to prevent the goals and although Juventus won, he actually wasn't called into action for saves on too many occasions.

4 N. Tomović - Was out-jumped and out-muscled at the back post by Pogba for the opener, but did make some decent interceptions at the back, particularly on Dybala.

2 G. Rodríguez - Arguably lucky not to see red after an extremely poor challenge on Dybala on the edge of the box. Provided a decent presence when attacking set-pieces.

13 D. Astori - Nearly had a hand in winning a point at the end when he set up Kalinic at the back post only for the resulting header to hit the bar. Should have made more of an impression on Mandzukic, though.

28 Marcos Alonso - Displayed an impressive engine down that left wing and was always putting pressure on his immediate opponent. Should have been awarded a penalty after being hauled to the floor by Rugani

5 M. Badelj - Was unlucky with a strike that was dragged just wide of the right-hand post, but should have made more from the good positions he regularly got himself in to.

20 Borja Valero - Was neat and tidy on the ball as always but was guilty of slowing down the play a little too much which allowed Juventus to quickly get back into their defensive unit.

10 F. Bernardeschi - Nearly got on the scoresheet in fortuitous fashion when his cross-cum-shot almost floated over the head of Buffon, but this was the closest he came to besting the veteran keeper despite being quality on the ball.

72 J. Iličić - Looked up for the game after being rested midweek and made a superb start to the match, continually moving the ball quickly in the final third. Drifted out of prominence as time went on, and was subbed with injury.

27 Tello - Displayed moments of his quality with a couple of exciting ventures into the final third, even managing to test Buffon with a flashed strike from 25 yards.

9 N. Kalinić - Hold-up play was solid against the combative Juventus defence. Scored the equaliser with a great finish but let himself down with a missed penalty after diving to win it in the first place.


Substitutes

7 M. Zárate - Forced a mistake out of Bonucci for the equasliser.

14 M. Fernández - A couple of poor crosses in from set-pieces.

32 F. Roncaglia - Nothing relevant.


 

Juventus

 

1 Gianluigi Buffon - The hero of the night. Kept Fiorentina at bay with a string of saves from awkward shots and also saved a last-minute penalty from Kalinic.

15 A. Barzagli - Provided a decent presence in the box from set-pieces but was left wanting for pace at the back as he was regularly bested by Bernardeschi.

19 L. Bonucci - Was not at the races at all. Gifted Fiorentina a way back into the match with some suicidal defending outside the box, whilst also allowing Kalinic to push him around at times.

24 D. Rugani - Gained the first yellow card of his career, and it should have been two, as well as a conceded penalty, as he blatantly hauled Alonso to the floor inside the box in the first half.

26 S. Lichtsteiner - Provided much-needed width down the right wing but should have done a lot more with the space in behind. Allowed Alonso to get through too often on the overlap.

6 S. Khedira - A fairly quiet match for the German in a game where plenty of things happened. Saw a goal correctly ruled as offside in the first half after a neat finish.

18 M. Lemina - Had a fairly solid start to the match but could have been a little braver in his possession as his passing was square too often rather than into advanced areas.

10 P. Pogba - Pulled out his bag of tricks when required to open up the space in midfield, and set up the opener with a delightful cushioned header into the path of Mandzukic.

33 P. Evra - Was targeted for diagonal balls as Paulo Sousa wished for Tello to take runs at the veteran defender. Dealt with the Spaniard fairly well.

17 M. Mandžukić - Scored the opening goal with a rifled volley into the bottom corner and also had a hand in the winner when he rose high at the back post to recycle the ball back into the danger area.

21 P. Dybala - Had a few fleeting moments of real quality, but an issue for him was how he insisted on coming so deep to receive possession. Saw the ball in areas that didn't pose a threat.


Substitutes

9 Álvaro Morata - The match winner with a close-range finish, as he once again pops up in a big game when it counts.

22 K. Asamoah - Late change.

16 J. Cuadrado - Had an eventful cameo as he gave away a penalty and arguably should have been sent off with two yellows.

 

SERIE A TABLE