Alvaro Morata and Juan Cuadrado did well while Cristiano Ronaldo was poor yet again as Juventus played out a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina on Sunday.
Fiorentina had the first big chance of the game but Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny did well to deny Dusan Vlahovic, which was followed by another stop to keep Nikola Milenkovic out. The Viola continued to be on the front foot, with Erick Pulgar’s deflected strike hitting the woodwork before the opener eventually came in the 29th minute through Vlahovic’s penalty after Adrien Rabiot had handled the ball inside the Juventus box.
Right on the cusp of half-time, Juventus had a chance to level things up, but Aaron Ramsey missed a glorious chance. Andrea Pirlo made a couple of changes for the second period and it paid of brilliantly as substitute Alvaro Morata scored the equaliser just one minute after the break with a curling effort.
Juventus upped the ante in search of a winning goal as Giorgio Chiellini struck the woodwork from a Juan Cuadrado woodwork while Cristiano Ronaldo had a couple of efforts blocked as Fiorentina held on for a much-needed point while Juventus wasted a great opportunity to move into second place on the table. Here are our player ratings for the Juventus stars on a disappointing afternoon in Florence.
Wojciech Szczesny: 7/10
Made a couple of crucial saves to deny Vlahovic and Milenkovic in the first half. No chance with the penalty, though. Made another couple of stops from Pulgar and Vlahovic again but there were occasions when his handling was sloppy and suspect. Nevertheless, played a role in Juventus earning a draw.
Matthijs de Ligt: 6/10
Not the best of the first half as Fiorentina caused all sorts of problems to the Juventus backline. Improved after the break although it was more due to the hosts sitting back. Played some good passes into the channel for Cuadrado at times but was more passive in the second half.
Leonardo Bonucci: 5/10
Wasn’t able to keep the defence organised as Fiorentina attacked Juventus with force in the first half. Was reliable as usual on the ball but was sacrificed at half-time as Andrea Pirlo changed his system.
Giorgio Chiellini: 6/10
The Juventus captain, back in the lineup, was all at sea in the first half like his partners. More solid after the break, Chiellini also carried the ball out from the back and sprayed some nice passes forward to try and get his team going. Nothing came of it, though.
Juan Cuadrado: 7/10
Imagine where Juve would be without Cuadrado this season, I’m a huge fan of his, but fact they are so reliant on him, sums up so many of their current flaws https://t.co/Ft5q9SUvw7
— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) April 25, 2021
Juventus’ best player on the pitch by some margin, Cuadrado looked the likeliest to do some damage to the Fiorentina defence as he made run after run on the right flank and delivered some teasing crosses, especially after the half-time break. Got the assist for Morata’s goal and finished with two key passes against his former club.
Aaron Ramsey: 5/10
Handed a rare starting opportunity, the former Arsenal man was pretty much anonymous for most parts and missed a great opportunity towards the end of the first period. Made way for Weston McKennie for the last twenty minutes.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 6.5/10
Offered industry and did his bit of the ball as the Uruguayan battled hard in midfield, producing five tackles, three interceptions and six clearances. However, his output on the ball was once again a downer as he completed just 77% of his passes. Did create a chance that Ramsey missed in the first period.
Adrien Rabiot: 5/10
Rabiot can even defend by hand. what a versatile player ? pic.twitter.com/r4HwCARD22
— Ghida 🙂 (@TheJuventina) April 25, 2021
Never really looked comfortable, especially in the first half, when Fiorentina kept putting him under pressure and he kept giving away fouls. Conceded the penalty from which Vlahovic scored by handling the ball inside the box. Did make four tackles and interceptions each but needed to do more in the second half as Juventus pushed in search of a goal.
Alex Sandro: 5.5/10
The hero of the last game against Parma, Sandro was in for a quiet afternoon on Sunday as Juventus concentrated most of their attacks from the right. Even when he did get on the ball a bit more after the break, the Brazilian wasn’t able to much in the way of creativity from the left. Did make a couple of tackles and three interceptions.
Paulo Dybala: 5/10
Played a role in the move leading up to Ramsey’s chance in the first period. Did little of note apart from that. The fact that he was taken off at half-time even though Juventus needed goals shows how little Andrea Pirlo trusts him to do the job.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 5/10
?️PIRLO:
"Ronaldo had a few chances that he wasn't able to exploit." pic.twitter.com/9T4eHWonDw
— CristianoXtra™ (@RonaldoZone_) April 25, 2021
Another game. Another anonymous display, especially in the first period when he did next to nothing. Looked better in the second period, made a few good runs, had a shot blocked but should have connected with a belter of a cross by Kulusevski that could have won the game for his side. Going through a bit of a slump.
SUBSTITUTES
Alvaro Morata: 7/10
31 – Álvaro Morata has scored 31 seconds after the start of the second half, or from the start of his game as substitute: this has been the fastest goal for a substitute in this #SerieA season. Ready.#FiorentinaJuve
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 25, 2021
Replaced Dybala at half-time and made instant impact, scoring the all-important equaliser with a lovely, curling effort. Wasn’t able to build on it in the rest of the second half but made sure that his team did not return empty-handed from Florence.
Dejan Kulusevski: 6/10
Half-time substitute for Bonucci, slotted in on the right flank with Cuadrado moving to right-back. Dovetailed well with the Colombian and also fired in one inviting cross with Ronaldo could not connect with.
Weston McKennie: 5.5/10
On for Rabiot for the final twenty minutes. Played a few neat passes into danger areas but wasn’t able to make the desired impact.
