It was a special night for Federico Bernardeschi who bagged the opener with business as usual resuming for Juventus, who beat Fiorentina 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Friday night.
The former Viola No.10 returned to Florence and faced a barrage of boos every time he touched the ball, so naturally he bagged a freekick to break the deadlock, then Gonzalo Higuain did his job to finish off the game and wrap up the three points.
The result continued Fiorentina’s miserable form against Juventus, having won just three of their last 33 Serie A games against the Bianconeri.
????#Bernardeschi walks back to changing room after finishing warm up and the whole Franchi boos him…#FiorentinaJuventus pic.twitter.com/qihEkI8Hcc
— ForzaItalianFootball (@SerieAFFC) 9 febbraio 2018
Juventus started off dominating possession, as you would expect, with the first shot on target coming after five minutes, as Claudio Marchisio tested Marco Sportiello.
Fiorentina then tried to get control of the game, with the rhythm slowing down a little and Marco Benassi tested Gigi Buffon midway through the half, but the Italy No.1 was equal to the effort.
A minute later a penalty was given to Fiorentina for an evident Giorgio Chiellini handball, but the VAR reverted the decision after three minutes – with Jordan Veretout already on the spot – for a offside offence before the cross which led to the handball.
The game became slightly nasty after that incident, with Stephan Lichtsteiner fouling Federico Chiesa and getting the first yellow of the game, although he risked being sent off.
It was Fiorentina who had the first real chance of the game, with Gil Dias flying towards the opponents goal on a counter attack, only to smash the post with Buffon beaten.
After the break, the Viola immediately had a chance with Nikola Milenkovic header from a corner kick, though the game continued in similar fashion to the first half, with Pioli’s men in control.
A Chiesa run produced a lovely assist that nobody could meet, then Veretout tried his luck from distance but his shot was wide.
Then, the magic of football did its job once again, with Bernardeschi breaking the deadlock with a deadly free kick on the hour mark.
Bernardeschi GOLLLLLL
pic.twitter.com/AO9Br3RYzm— Juvefc.com (@juvefcdotcom) February 9, 2018
Allegri then decided to lock up the right flank, with Andrea Barzagli replacing Lichtsteiner, but also added pace up front, with Douglas Costa instead of Claudio Marchisio.
Despite Fiorentina becoming more and more dominant, pinning Juve back into their own half, with a series of dangerous crosses, the Bianconeri were extremely dangerous on counter attacks, which eventually proved to be La Viola’s undoing.
Substitute Cyril Thereau had the chance to equalise, but Buffon came out perfectly to deny him, before Juventus that struck again.
Higuain, who hadn’t had his best night, came alive to slot in a one-on-one against Sportiello and put the game to bed.
?? Higuain #FiorentinaJuve 0-2 pic.twitter.com/ZgmbbpBvi2
— Merguez. (@aBaseDeMerguez) February 9, 2018
Juve controlled the remainder of the game to take home another three points and overtake Napoli for the night at the top of Serie A.
