Player Ratings: Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus

Date: 5th December 2014 at 11:45pm
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Juventus dropped points for just the third time in Serie A this season after being held to a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Friday night.

Massimiliano Allegri seemingly had one eye on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid as he rested Carlos Tevez.

Juve are the opponent against which the Viola have suffered the most defeats and conceded the most goals against with 244 in the top-flight, but the Florentines held firm to claim a commendable draw.

Fiorentina

Neto – 5.5 – Commodity

Reportedly offered improved terms on a new contract to convince him to stay in Florence, but the former Atletico Paranaense goalkeeper can still improve his distribution after some wayward kicking.

Stefan Savic – 6.5 – Assured

Montenegro international has been linked with a January move to Juventus, and aside from a moment of hesitation at a high ball was assured throughout.

Gonzalo Rodriguez – 6.5 – Resolute

The 30-year-old central defender was solid and covered well for Savic after misjudging bouncing ball.

Jose Maria Basanta – 6.5 – Composed

The Argentine international was comfortable when in possession and stopped Juventus runners from midfield inside the box on left side of back three.

Joaquin – 6 – Determined

Recently praised by Montella for “proving his worth” after being frozen out at the start of the season, the right wing back worked hard defensively.

Matias Fernandez – 6.5 – Lucid

The 2006 South American player of the year was integral to most Fiorentina attacks and was normally excellent with his right-footed delivery from set pieces and crosses.

David Pizarro – 6 – Destroyer

35-year-old Chilean made a decisive defensive contribution breaking up opposition attacks.

Borja Valero – 6 – Industrious

Fiorentina captain was customarily tidy when in possession and worked hard when out of possession.

Marcos Alonso – 6 – Positive

The 23-year-old left wing back was an attacking threat in the first half, but became increasingly important defensively after the break.

Juan Cuadrado – 6 – Dynamic

Reportedly the subject of a €35 million offer from Juventus during the summer, the Colombian looked to trouble the Juventus back three with his pace in a free role behind Gomez.

Mario Gomez – 5 – Frustrated

The striker “took a 200kg weight off his shoulders” scoring first Serie A goal in eight months last weekend against Cagliari, but has still return to full form on frustrating night.

Substitutes

Khouma Babacar (69 mins) – 6 – Enthusiastic

Pressed the Juventus back three well after replacing Gomez, but has yet to find the net in Serie A since his double in a 3-0 win against Udinese in Round 9.

Alberto Aquilani (79 mins) – 5.5 – Supportive

Substitute for Joaquin as Fiorentina looked to settle for a point.

Jasmin Kurtic (85 mins) – N/A

Juventus

Gianluigi Buffon – 6 – Alert

The Tuscan-born goalkeeper made an instinctive save pushing away a Cuadrado effort from distance, but had little to do on his return from a shoulder injury.

Angelo Ogbonna – 5.5 – Tested

Struggled to deal with the pace of Cuadrado on his first start since away win at Empoli on 1 November, and was shown a yellow card for pulling down the Colombian during the first half.

Leonardo Bonucci – 7 – Poised

Composed at the centre of back three showing a great sense of passing and positioning. The 27-year-old has not missed a minute of action for the Bianconeri this season.

Giorgio Chiellini – 6 – Combative

The former Fiorentina defender was quick to argue with the opposition and referee Nicola Rizzoli. Will be suspended for Juve’s next Serie A match against Sampdoria after shown yellow card in first half for pulling back Valero.

Roberto Pereyra – 5 – Tentative

The 23-year-old was less influential than in previous games with system switch and often looked to come in to central positions from right wing back position.

Arturo Vidal – 5.5 – Vehement

The Chilean was forceful and intense closing down opposition throughout the hard fought encounter.

Andrea Pirlo – 5.5 – Subdued

The 35-year-old was caught in possession on a couple of occasions and was also unable to repeat his last-minute Derby della Mole heroics after being substituted for Marchisio.

Paul Pogba – 6 – Prodigy

Emphasised his FIFA FIFPro World XI nomination pirouetting his way through the midfield, but became increasingly frustrated throughout the second half.

Patrice Evra – 5 – Improved

Struggled one on one against Joaquin on occasion in the first half, but improved after the interval notably testing Neto after combining well with Coman and Pogba on surge forward from left wing back.

Fernando Llorente – 5 – Limited

Criticised after a number of ineffective performances so far this season, but did link well with teammates.

Kingsley Coman – 6 – Ascendant

The 18-year-old showed impressive strength holding the hold up with his back to goal and linked well with Pogba on his first start since the opening game of the season against Chievo.

Substitutes

Carlos Tevez (61 mins) – 5 – Talismanic

Introduced for Coman with half an hour remaining, but did not have any opportunity to add to his 9 goals or 5 assists in Serie A this season.

Claudio Marchisio (79 mins) – 5 – Reliable

Substitute for Pirlo as Juventus pushed for a fifth successive win.

Simone Padoin (88 mins) – N/A

 

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