Fiorentina made it five consecutive games without a home win in Serie A after they drew 0-0 to Sassuolo at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Wednesday night.
Vincenzo Montella was left to rue his sides profligacy after he watched his side spurn a host of chances against a resilient Neroverdi defence.
Juan Cuadrado and Borja Valero both hit the upright either side of half-time as the Viola’s goal-scoring woes continued. The Tuscan’s have now only registered one goal in their opening four Serie A games this term.
As for Sassuolo, Eusebio Di Francesco will be content that his side have plugged the defensive leaks which saw them leak seven goals at Inter during week two.
Agree with our ratings? Have your say in the comments below.
Fiorentina
Neto – 6 – Bystander
A spectator in the first half and a spectator in the second. Hard to remember him having to make a save such was Fiorentina’s dominance.
Nenad Tomovic – 5.5 – Ordinary
Wasn’t troubled much in terms of his defensive duties and did what was required of him in that respect. Offered little going forward and was largely inconspicuous.
Gonzalo Rodriguez – 6 – Steady
Fiorentina’s dominance meant he was required to step up and try and initiate moves from defence. Looked far more comfortable when he was performing his defensive duties.
Stefan Savic – 6 – Vigilant
Stayed concentrated despite have little or nothing to do in they way of defending. Snuffed out any rare threat the was offered by the visiting side.
Marcos Alonso – 6 – Supportive
Did what was required of him defensively, which admittedly wasn’t much. His influence over the game came in the opposition half and he offered a constant support for his wingers on the overlap, whipping in some menacing crosses.
Jasmin Kurtic – 5.5 – Faded
Was clearly brimming with confidence after his winner at Atalanta last weekend and a couple of early attempts on goal demonstrated this. But the Slovenian’s influence dwindled as the game progressed.
Alberto Aquilani – 6 – Sniper
Used his usual array of long-range shooting and passing but despite seeing plenty of the ball, was unable to make any real impact on the game playing from deep.
Borja Valero – 7.5 – Protagonist
As per usual the Viola’s creativity came from their Spanish play-maker who constantly looked to unlock a stubborn Sassuolo defence with an incisive pass or swift change of play. Will feel he should have done better with a chance in the first-half and was inches from scoring a beautiful opener in the second after his delicate outside the foot finish rebounded off the post.
Joaquin – 6.5 – Elusive
Was direct and always willing to take on his opposite number. Produced a number of dangerous balls into the area but the veteran Spaniard eventually ran out of steam and was replaced by Bernarderschi.
Khouma Babacar – 6 – Willing
Threatened to burst into life in on a couple of occasions and had his control been better might have found himself in on goal at the close of the first-half. Made himself a nuisance and linked up nicely with Valero in the second-half however his labours went unrewarded.
Juan Cuadrado – 6.5 – Tricky
Desperately unlucky not to opening the scoring early on after striking the post and despite being marshaled closely, often by two men, provided a constant threat to the Neroverdi defence. Replaced by Ilicic with 15 minutes remaining.
Substitutes
Federico Bernarderschi – 5.5 – Nifty
Showed some nice touches when he came on however with the Sassuolo defending deep he was unable to get in-behind and fashion any clear cut chances.
Josip Ilicic – N/A –
Was only given 10 minutes to try an impact the game but made no headway.
Mati Fernandez – N/A –
Came on with five minutes for the influential Borja Valero but was unable to change the game.
Sassuolo
Andrea Consigli – 6 – Pragmatic
Dealt with a couple of long range efforts in a slightly unorthodox manner but on the whole went about his work in an assured manner. Had the post to thank on a couple of occasions for his clean sheet.
Sime Vrsaljko – 4.5 – Anxious
Never looked comfortable dealing with the Tuscan’s tricky wingers and was often exposed. Going forward he wasn’t much better as he wasted a number of good crossing opportunities. Was lucky not to be punished for poor positioning on a number of occasions.
Luca Antei – 7 – Resilient
Showed fortitude and experience beyond his years. Formed a solid partnership with Cannavaro and made some crucial interventions to prevent the Viola forwards. Worked hard for his clean sheet.
Paolo Cannavaro – 7 – Experienced
Used his wise head to guide his young central partner through the game. Positioned himself well and was formidable in the air. Won header after header and put in some crunching challenges.
Alessandro Longhi – 5.5 – Shaky
With Cuadrado and Joaquin looking menacing throughout he never quite looked at ease and his night came to a premature end after he picked up a knock early in the second-half.
Yussif Chibsah – 6 – Workhorse
Was an ubiquitous presence in the midfield and worked tirelessly for his side. Did plenty of chasing but when he got on the ball looked to be positive and force his side forward.
Francesco Magnanelli – 6.5 -Sacrifice
Went about his work quietly and effectively in the heart of midfield. Broke up play, remained calm in possession and put his body on the line to snuff out potential danger.
Davide Biondini – 5.5 -Rushed
Like all the Neroverdi midfielders was forced to work hard and chase the ball most of the game. On the ball he was hurried and often unable to keep possession successfully.
Nicola Sansone – 5 – Inconspicuous
Showed glimpses of his talent but was unable to influence the game from his position out wide. Looked to receive the ball in more central positions in the second-half however it just didn’t happen for the former Parma man.
Sergio Floccari – 5 – Isolated
Was a forlorn figure at the point of the Emilian’s attack. Was devoid of any real service and failed to force his way into the game. At times it was actually a struggle to remember he was playing.
Antonio Floro Flores – 5 – Exasperated
Cut a frustrated figure as Sassuolo struggled to gain any meaningful foothold in the game. Was perhaps lucky not to see red after he appeared to grab Kurtic by the neck. Came off injured on the hour mark.
Substitutes
Federico Peluso – 6 – Diligent
Replaced the injured Longhi early in the second-half and like his teammate was given a constant headache by the trickery of Fiorentina’s front-line however coped well and would have been relieved to see the back of Cuadrado and Joaquin when they were substituted.
Marcello Gazzola – 6 – Useful
His arrival signaled an even more defensive approach by Eusebio Di Francesco after he replaced Floro Flores. Did his defensive work diligently.
Saphir Taider – N/A –
Brought on in the last 10 minutes to sure up proceedings in midfield.
Follow Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter – @LH_Ramon25
