Juventus’ top four hopes were hit by another major setback on Sunday afternoon as they worked to a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina in Florence.
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I Bianconeri started the game at a frantic pace but was almost penalized when Erick Pulgar’s deflected shot with the wrong foot Wojciech Szczesny and hit the post. Fortunately, the ball came back in the safety of the Polish shotgun’s arms and Juve survived.
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
17 Serie A goals this season for Dusan Vlahovic. # ForzaViola? #FiorentinaJuventus pic.twitter.com/f6IXdH17Am
– ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) April 25, 2021
However, they would not escape the next danger, as Adrien Rabiot handled in the penalty area and Dusan Vlahovic flipped home a cheeky panache kick to send Fiorentina in the lead. Juve equalized almost just before half-time, but Aaron Ramsey stabbed inches wide from close range.
Andrea Pirlo picked up Alvaro Morata at half-time and the Spaniard refunded his coach’s faith less than 40 seconds into the second half, cutting on his left foot and whipping an exquisite curler in the upper corner.
But despite dominating the ball for long periods, Juve failed to take advantage of their second wind. Pirlo’s men rarely tested Bartlomiej Dragowski in the Fiorentina goal and they were forced to settle for a damaging move in the race for Champions League qualifiers.
Okay, let’s check out the player’s ratings.
Chaos in the back | VINCENZO PINTO / Getty Images
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 6/10 – Showed safe hands to parry Milenkovic’s long strike. Happy for Pulgar’s free kick that bounced off the post and perfectly into his way. Clear everything ends with the punishment. Went well to turn another Pulgar attempt around the post in the second half.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 7/10 – Felt he was committed in the penalty area, but it was a stretch. Looked upset by Vlahovic’s bullish style. Broken down Ribery with a crisp challenge on the edge of the box. Daft and worth a yellow card.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – 6/10 – Handed out some rough treatment to the young Vlahovic, playing on the edge. Steady, but not spectacular. Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – 6/10 – Usually determined first half, but can not stop Juve from falling behind. Allowed the ball to bounce in the six-yard box and caused chaos with Szczesny. Nod over the goal but no one blocked his assist.
Ramsey in the Thick of Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Juan Cuadrado (RWB) – 6/10 – Found some early joy along the right flank, but the last ball was not quite up. Curled a pass on Morata’s road for the equalizer. Educated by a wonderful piece of Ribery skill in the second half. Not an easy afternoon.
Aaron Ramsey (CM) – 6/10 – Should have hit the target when it was played through on goal, but a loose first touch put the chance out of reach. Moved to the left in the second half but could not affect the game.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – 6/10 – Let Ramsey through on goal, but the Welshman’s fuzzy finish denied him an assist. Nice on the ball, but did not do enough.
Adrien Rabiot (CM) – 5/10 – Another for Rabiot scrapbook since he joined Juve. Bizarre decision to raise the arm in the box, and it was caught by VAR. His time in Turin must end.
Alex Sandro (LWB) – 6/10 – Caught out on a couple of occasions by Amrabat’s nice runs along the right flank. Looked more comfortable returning to left back during the second period.
Cracking time | VINCENZO PINTO / Getty Images
Paulo Dybala (ST) – 5/10 – Juve kicked into life with a change of pace and a dart through the midfield, but Ramsey squandered the opportunity he created. That was it, however, when he made his way at half-time. A telling compensation.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – 5/10 – Anonymous during the first half. It was not possible to enter the match and his teammates could not choose him. A performance under par.
46 ‘| ♈️ | @ALVAROMORATA !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LEVEL IT STRAIGHT FROM KICK-OFF, WHAT A GOAL !!!!!!! ⚽️⚪️⚫️ # FiorentinaJuve [1-1] # ForzaJuve @ officialpes pic.twitter.com/KprL4CCBtd
– JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 25, 2021
Alvaro Morata (ST) – 7/10 – SUPER SUB! Changed the game with its introduction. Brilliant curling attempt to pull Juve level. Won it almost in the end, but saw his shot saved.
Dejan Kulusevski (RW) – 6/10
Weston McKennie (LM) – 7/10
