Fiorentina 0-3 Juventus: Highlights

Pre-match

Stefano Pioli and Fiorentina got a big boost with the news that captain Germán Pezzella (hamstring) was fully recovered and ready to step back into the lineup. For Juventus, Max Allegri opted for Juan Cuadrado over Miralem Pjanić in a midfield three.

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Lafont; Milenković, Pezzella, Vitor Hugo, Biraghi; Benassi, Veretout, Fernandes; Gerson, Simeone, Chiesa

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Cancelo, Bonucci, Chiellini, di Sciglio; Betancur, Matuidi; Cuadrado, Dybala, Ronaldo; Mandžukić

First half

At the half hour mark, Rodrigo Betancur played a 1-2 with Paulo Dybala that set the Uruguayan away with acres of space through the middle of the defense. He had time to take an extra touch, steady himself, and dispatch his left-footed shot into the corner past Alban Lafont, who was rooted to the spot.

Second half

After a miscommunication in the box between Lafont and Cristiano Biraghi saw the latter put the ball out for a needless corner, Juventus worked it around until Edimilson Fernandes headed clear. The ball dropped to Cuadrado, who headed it back in, and Giorgio Chiellini (onside by inches), scrambled one goalwards that Lafont got a hand to. Cristiano Ronaldo blocked Fernandes from clearing it off the line, though, and the ball looped into the net in agonizing fashion after 69 minutes.

At the 78’ mark, a poor pass from the back put Mandžukić 1-v-1 with Fernandes following a Juve corner. The Swiss midfielder stuck his hand way out in the box, and the big Croatian duly popped the ball into his arm to give away a glaringly obvious penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched before snatching the ball out of the net and punting into the stands like an ass.

Full time

Goals: Betancur 31’ (ass. Dybala), Chiellini 69’ (ass. Cuadrado), Ronaldo 79’ (pen.)

Cards: Mandžukić 11’, Fernandes 44’, Betancur 50’, Vitor Hugo 51’, Milenković 64’, Pezzella 71’, Ronaldo 79’, Théréau 88’, Veretout 90’+1

Subs: Pjaca for Benassi 65’, Théréau for Gerson 80’, Bernardeschi for Ronaldo 80’, Costa for Cuadrado 84’, Kean for Mandžukić 89’