Veretout becomes the latest player booked after holding back Matuidi in midfield – right in front of the referee.
90'
The fourth official indicates an additional two minutes at the end of the match for stoppages.
88'
C. Théréau gets yellow.
M. Kean enters the game and replaces M. Mandžukić.
The card count rises as Thereau – brought on less than 10 minutes ago – goes into the book for a sliding challenge in midfield.
The result has afforded Kean a rare appearance as Mandzukic is replaced with two minutes of the 90 left.
87'
Edimilson’s whipped-in cross from the left finds only Bonucci who clears it with a powerful header. It’s been that kind of day for Fiorentina who surely cant wait for the full-time whistle.
85'
Simeone has apparently picked up a knock as he is walking very gingerly. It seems to be an ankle problem following a strong slide tackle from De Sciglio.
84'
Douglas Costa enters the game and replaces J. Cuadrado.
Cuadrado comes off for Douglas Costa as the match winds to a close.
80'
C. Théréau enters the game and replaces Gerson.
F. Bernardeschi enters the game and replaces Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo gets yellow.
Immediately after going 3-0 behind, Gerson is replaced by Thereau for Fiorentina.
Ronaldo has earned a rest as he is brought off with 10 minutes remaining. Bernardeschi is his replacement.
79'
Penalty goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo for Juventus!
No mistake from Ronaldo who makes it 3-0 from the spot! His penalty is rocketed into the top corner, giving Lafont absolutely no chance despite the goalkeeper guessing correctly.
A slightly overzealous celebration leads to another yellow card as Ronaldo is booked for booting the ball away following the goal.
75'
Ronaldo is brought down well outside the penalty area but he chooses to strike the free-kick towards goal anyways, catching the top of the wall and winning a corner.
Minute
Description
73'
Gerson displays his quick feet as he dribbles into the penalty area and sends a ball across the six-yard box for a team-mate, but none of his fellow forwards respond to the service, allowing it to roll out harmlessly for a goal-kick. That second Juve goal has really deflated the home side, who looked very dangerous in the minutes prior.
71'
G. Pezzella gets yellow.
We’ve hit the average as Pezzella takes Ronaldo down from behind very cynically, resulting in the sixth booking of the match – and we’ve still got 20 minutes to play!
69'
G. Chiellini has scored a goal for Juventus! Assist by J. Cuadrado.
CHIELLINI MAKES IT 2-0! The former Fiorentina defender, wearing the captain’s armband for Juventus gives the Bianconeri some insurance! A ball comes in from the right, and Chiellini puts in an awkward sliding shot which somehow loops over Lafont. Ronaldo stands in the middle of three Fiorentina defenders and attempts to head it in, but he misses the chance. Even still, no Fiorentina players are able to whack it out, and the ball bounces over the line!
Cuadrado’s pass for Chiellini is the assist – making Juventus’ second goal of the match the result of a combination between two former Fiorentina players now in Bianconeri.
67'
A ball sent in from the left once again isn’t dealt with by Chiellini or Bonucci, but Chiesa’s first-time strike is blocked almost immediately after it leaves his foot. The gaps are opening up for Fiorentina in attack, but they have yet to put Juventus to the sword. They’ve had 13 shots in the match with five on target, but have largely failed to trouble Szczesny.
65'
M. Pjaca enters the game and replaces M. Benassi.
IT’S A GOOD SAVE BY LAFONT! Well our prayers are answered as Ronaldo is able to get his free-kick up and over the wall before dipping in front of Lafont who watches it well and parries it out for a corner.
A familiar face enters the pitch as Benassi is replaced by Pjaca who plays for Fiorentina, on loan from Juventus.
64'
N. Milenković gets yellow.
It’s not shocking as another yellow card is produced after Milenkovic takes Joao Cancelo down with a sliding challenge just outside the penalty area. Could this finally be the time for a well-taken set-piece?!
62'
Dybala delivers a corner low and to the near post where a Fiorentina defender is first to it. The set-pieces have been truly poor for both sides all match, with a number of perfectly positioned free-kicks squandered.
60'
De Sciglio has a throw-in, just inside the opposition half which he opts to take very slowly, making sure every one of his team-mates is in position before he restarts play. Juventus have been under increased pressure in the past-10 minutes, and the left-back is just looking to give his side a moment to breathe.
56'
Simeone wins the ball back outside the penalty area and plays it to Gerson who sends it forward for Chiesa. The winger has his angle towards goal closed down, but he wins a corner anyway. Biraghi’s delivery is awful as Ronaldo powerfully heads it away.
55'
Cuadrado has a sight at goal from just outside the right-hand corner of the penalty area, but the Colombia international gets no lift on his shot, allowing Lafont to get down and match an easy save.
53'
Four bookings in the opening-50 minutes is par for the course in this notoriously feisty fixture. A red isn’t out of the question either as there are certainly more cards to come as the match remains a tightly contested 1-0. Even Allegri receives a talking to after a steady stream of protestations from the technical area.
51'
Vitor Hugo gets yellow.
The yellow cards come reigning down now as Vitor Hugo is booked for a foul on Cuadrado during a counter-attack.
50'
R. Bentancur gets yellow.
Veretout’s delivery from the corner is really, really poor as his low-driven cross towards the near post is met easily by De Sciglio as there are no Viola shirts anywhere near the spot of the ball. Another set-piece wasted by the home side!
Bentancur is shown a yellow card for stepping on the hells of Gerson in midfield.
48'
Benassi looks to put a pass into the penalty area, but Cuadrado blocks it – sending the rebound right back to the sender. After shifting his body, the midfielder attempts a low, rolling shot towards the far post which misses the target entirely.
46'
Juventus get the second half underway from the kick-off, up 1-0!
45' +1
HALF-TIME: FIORENTINA 0-1 JUVENTUS.
45'
The referee indicates an additional minute at the end of the first half.
44'
Ronaldo attempts to hit his free-kick on a line, trying for the far post but Simeone is perfectly placed to block it and send it wide for a corner.
43'
E. Fernandes gets yellow.
Chiesa attempts a cross from the left that’s hit fairly well, but Szczesny goes untroubled as he steps off his line to make an ultimately easy catch.
Juventus have a free-kick as Dybala plays a one-two with Ronaldo at the edge of the penalty area. The Ronaldo backheel return confuses the defence, forcing Edimilson into a tackle which earns him a yellow card. This set-piece is in a position of real danger as we approach the interval.
41'
Its back and forth at the moment as both Fiorentina and Juventus lose the ball a number of times in quick succession in front of the technical areas. There are less than five minutes to play in the first half, and it doesn’t look like Fiorentina will get level in that time.
39'
Vitor Hugo sends it long looking for Chiesa, but it’s defended well by De Sciglio who knocks it down for Cuadrado. Biraghi comes high up the pitch to press the ball, but gives away a sloppy foul allowing Juventus to clear their lines.
35'
THAT WAS THE CHANCE FOR FIORENTINA! A cross from the right-hand sides evades Chiellini and falls for Benassi, whose miscued touch lays it off perfectly for Simeone inside the six-yard box. The striker is unable to make meaningful contact, however, and it falls into the arms of Szczesny! Any firm touch towards the net would have beaten the keeper, and it should really be 1-1!
33'
A Juventus corner-kick is taken directly to Mandzukic, but Vitor Hugo handles the forward well and heads it clear.
31'
R. Bentancur has scored a goal for Juventus! Assist by P. Dybala.
The quick return from Dybala was weighted beautifully, allowing Bentancur to take it easily within stride. It'll go down as the assist!
BENTANCUR OPENS THE SCORING AFTER 30 MINUTES! 1-0 JUVENTUS! A lovely one-two pass with Dybala allows Bencantur to cut inside before slotting a perfectly placed shot into the bottom-right corner, leaving Lafont rooted to the spot!
30'
Cuadrado pushes a ball high upfield for Mandzukic down the right, but Lafont comes a long way out of his area to boot the ball into touch.
28'
Ronaldo goes down in the penalty area but the referee is having none of it. It’s a wonderful nutmeg by the Portugal captain to induce contact from Pezzella, but the match official gives nothing more than a corner.
23'
Cuadrado tries to bend a cross around Biraghi - looking for Mandzukic - but the left-back stands firm and blocks it out for a throw-in.
21'
Juventus haven’t looked at their incisive best in the opening-20 minutes, but the Bianconeri have proven time and time again that they don’t need to be at their peak to win matches. In last week’s fixture against SPAL, Allegri’s side spent much of the match looking unconvincing but walked away with the three points comfortably.
19'
Veretout and Biraghi both hover over the ball but it’s the left-back that takes it – and in similar fashion to Dybala, smashes it right into the wall. It’s another poor set-piece and Juventus come away with possession.
18'
Bentancur is called for a handball as Fiorentina now have a free-kick, in a very similar position to Juve’s only moments ago. Can the hosts take advantage?
17'
Ronaldo stands over it, but it’s Dybala who uses his left foot to cannon his free-kick into the defensive wall. Simeone comes away with it, looking to start a counter-attack, but Ronaldo sticks a leg out and brings the striker down, slowing their progress.
16'
Veretout takes down Cuadrado and gives Juventus a free-kick just outside the penalty area in a central position.
14'
Veretout’s corner finds Milenkovic despite touch-tight marking from Chiellini, but his header misses the top-left corner and goes wide.
13'
Chiesa plays the ball through for Benassi, but Gerson gets in the way, slowing his progress. Its good work from the midfielder however, as he manages to get a shot off and win a corner.
11'
M. Mandžukić gets yellow.
Mandzukic attempts to keep the attack alive, but a poor touch gifts the ball to Gerson – to which the Juventus forward brings him down cynically, resulting in the first yellow card of the match.
10'
Dybala’s inswinger is a good delivery, but a Fiorentina defender rises highest to get it clear.
9'
Mandzukic shows his tenacity as he wins the ball from Pezzella near the corner-flag after an errant De Sciglio pass. Thanks to his endeavor – Juventus win a free-kick on the right, near the touchline.
7'
The ball is put into an awkward area for Chiellini to defend Simeone near the byline, and Szczesny comes through to make a save – sending the large defender toppling over the goalkeeper. Play is stopped for a moment as it looks as though the centre-back has picked up a knock on his ankle, but he manages to make it to his feet without issue.
5'
Joao Cancelo takes a corner-kick to the near post, but it goes through the crowd of bodies to Edimilson who clears it away with a swing of the leg.
2'
An early free-kick goes the way of Fiorentina as Mandzukic takes the forward down from behind, just outside the centre-circle.
1'
Fiorentina get the match underway from the kick-off!
Hello and welcome to our LIVE Serie A commentary of the fixture between Fiorentina and Juventus.
The rivalry renewed for the 179th time as the Viola welcome Juventus to the Artemio Franchi. A heated fixture for the majority of the 20th century, there is no love lost between these two sides who have grown a real dislike for each other, despite a lack of geographic proximity. Fiorentina sit 10th after 13 matches thanks to a run of five-straight draws, but the three points today could see them climb as high as 6th at the end of play.
Fiorentina have only beaten Juventus once in their last six Serie A matches – getting the better of Allegri’s side at home 2-1 in January 2017. A result one way or the other is practically guaranteed, as these two have not shared the spoils since a 0-0 back in 2014 – nine meetings ago. The hostility between the sides is usually quite evident on the pitch as well, as this fixture has seen 28 yellow cards and one red dished out in the last five meetings – almost six bookings per match.
Juventus’ midweek victory over Valencia in the Champions League should buoy the Bianconeri who have guaranteed themselves passage into the knockout stages, two points ahead of Manchester United who sit second in Group H – and seven ahead of Valencia in third. It’s their third victory in a row since a 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils prior to the international break.
It’s 13 without defeat in the Serie A for Allegri’s side who have opened their campaign in scintillating form, winning 12 and scoring 28 goals in the process. The best attack and the best defence in the nation have Juventus comfortably atop the league – eight points above Napoli - as they search for their 8th Scudetto in a row.
JUVENTUS SUBS: Mattia Perin, Douglas Costa, Daniele Rugani, Andrea Barzagli, Medhi Benatia, Moise Kean, Leonardo Spinazzola, Federico Bernardeschi, Miralem Pjanic, Carlo Pinsoglio.
JUVENTUS XI (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczesny, Joao Cancelo, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio; Juan Cuadrado, Rodrigo Bentancur, Blaise Matuidi; Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Cristiano Ronaldo.
FIORENTINA SUBS: Cyril Thereau, Valentin Eysseric, Riccardo Sottil, Dusan Vlahovic, Bartlomiej Dragowski, Vincent Laurini, Bryan Dabo, Kevin Mirallas, Christian Norgaard, Federico Ceccherini, Marko Pjaca, David Hancko.
FIORENTINA XI (4-3-3): Alban Lafont; Cristiano Biraghi, Vitor Hugo, German Pezzella, Nikola Milenkovic; Edimilson Fernandes, Jordan Veretout, Marco Benassi; Federico Chiesa, Giovanni Simeone, Gerson.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, the team news has been confirmed! Let's start with the home side!
The Artemio Franchi is absolutely bouncing as the two teams make their way out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. Kick-off should follow shortly!
Fiorentina enter the dressing rooms at half-time down by a score of 1-0 which is probably deserved. They’ve done well to press and harry their opposition but have also been caught out a number of times. Two incidents in a three-minute span could have seen Juventus awarded two penalties, but the Viola escaped both unpunished after a potential Biraghi handball and a foul on Ronaldo from Pezzella. Despite their luck, they were unable to capitalise and conceded only three minutes later.
The match opened up nicely after the Juve goal, as Fiorentina are now forced to attack in search of an equaliser; one which should have come almost immediately after going behind. Simeone’s fluffed finish from inside the six-yard box let the Bianconeri off the hook, in a rare goal-scoring opportunity for the home side. Juventus have not looked too worried in the face of their opponents, spending large parts of the match relatively comfortable in possession despite the press. It’s still an open game, but Fiorentina must take their chances, or face the consequences of their ruthless visitors.
That concludes our commentary of the fixture between Fiorentina and Juventus from the Artemio Franchi! We hope you enjoyed it!
Fiorentina will continue their search for a win next Sunday when they face Sassuolo, while Juventus are back in action next Friday in the Derby d’Italia against Inter at Allianz Stadium.
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