Pre-match

Andrea Pirlo naturally started both Federico Chiesa and Juan Cuadrado; it almost felt surprising that he kept Federico Bernardeschi on the bench. Cesare Prandelli started a very defensive XI with Martín Cáceres at right wingback. Borja Valero got the nod over Giacomo Bonaventura in midfield.

First half

Fiorentina flipped the narrative almost immediately. Dušan Vlahović slipped between Mathijs de Ligt and Leonardo Bonucci to meet a scrumptious pass through from Franck Ribery. The Serbian forward looked like he’d borked his touch before neatly clipping it over an onrushing Wojciech Szczęsny for his third goal in as many games.

15 minutes later, Juan Cuadrado proved that he’s got a cuore Viola still, although Gaetano Castrovilli may disagree after being on the receiving end of a really nasty challenge that could have easily been a leg breaker; referee Federico La Penna had no choice after checking VAR but to send the Colombian off. (Don’t hit play if you’re squeamish, because Tanino’s leg bent kind of funnily and I don’t know how he was able to keep going.)

Second half

Juventus really gifted another to the visitors when Cristiano Biraghi fizzed in a cross that Leonardo Bonucci completely whiffed on. The ball bounced off Alex Sandro and into the net with Christian Kouamé in close attendance.

And not long after, Fiorentina added a third. Biraghi was again the provider, but it was, of all people, Martín Cáceres (maybe the last man you would’ve picked to score) who popped up to turn it home against his former employer.

Full time

Goals: Vlahović 3’ (ass. Ribery), Alex Sandro OG 76’, Cáceres 81’ (ass. Biraghi)

Cards: Cuadrado red card 18’, Danilo 85’; Biraghi 22’, Valero 47’, Venuti 84’

What’s next

The win is Fiorentina’s first in the league since Prandelli took over. It’s their first since 25 October. It’s the first time they’ve hit 3 goals since then as well. It’s their first clean sheet since in nearly 2 months. It’s the first time they’ve beaten Juventus in Turin in Serie A since 2008, also under Prandelli.

Of course, the result means that Fiorentina surge (yeah) to 15th in the table with 14 points and feels like it could be the start of a turnaround in Tuscany. Biraghi will miss the next fixture due to yellow card accumulation. Following the ruling about their “win” against Napoli earlier this year, Juventus drop down to 4th with 24 points.