Fatigue, Squad Rotation Floor Juventus as Unbeaten Run Ends Against Fiorentina

Juventus have continually impressed this season, still in contention for all three major competitions as February gave way to March. Enjoying a comfortable lead in Serie A and—perhaps most importantly—with an advantage in their Champions League last-16 tie, the Bianconeri have undoubtedly enjoyed a successful 2014-15 thus far.

Last week’s win over Borussia Dortmund was thoroughly deserved and was quickly followed by a top-of-the-table clash—the Turin giants ensured their nine-point cushion over Roma remained intact by holding the Giallorossi to a draw on Monday.

The Italian Cup offered Massimiliano Allegri’s men some respite from the demands of those two competitions, but before their encounter with Fiorentina, the coach insisted his team would be seeking yet another win.

“It’s our duty to try and go all the way in the Coppa Italia,” he told reporters at his pre-match press conference, per the club’s official website. “It’s a target of ours and one we haven’t achieved for 20 years,” he continued, hinting at their poor record in recent years.

Indeed, having not lifted the cup since defeating Parma way back in 1995—although they did reach three finals in the two decades since that triumph—Allegri’s stance was understandable. Yet, as Thursday’s semi-final unfolded, the Old Lady could not have been a more accommodating host, as the Viola were seemingly granted the freedom of Juventus Stadium.

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Led by Mohamed Salah, Fiorentina ran riot against the Bianconeri, the Egyptian winger repeatedly tearing through the home side’s defence with consummate ease. By the time the final whistle sounded, he had netted twice to take his tally to six goals in as many games since arriving on loan from Chelsea.

His performance in Fiorentina’s 2-1 win was undoubtedly superb and brought an end to the simply staggering home record possessed by the Bianconeri. The Viola became the first side to hand Juve a defeat in their own stadium since Bayern Munich’s 2-0 Champions League quarter-final triumph back in April 2013.

Allegri’s side will have to wait over a month until the second leg and a chance to overturn the deficit, and there are a number of reasons not to lose too much confidence at one result. Having expended so much energy in pursuing those two previous results against Borussia Dortmund and AS Roma, it was a visibly tired home side on show here.

Injuries—most notably to Andrea Pirlo—have taken their toll, but the mental lapses evident throughout this performance were a clear result of their recent demanding schedule. Allegri rotated heavily, resting a number of his regular first-choice players and allowing some of the reserves a chance to take the field. Defenders Giorgio Chiellini, Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner sat out, while the regular attacking duo of Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez did the same.

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They were joined on the bench by Gigi Buffon, meaning back-up goalkeeper Marco Storari pulled on the gloves for just the fourth time this season. Kingsley Coman matched that figure at the other end of the field, while there was also a place in the starting XI for Simone Pepe for only the third time in 2014-15.

Perhaps, with Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal still featuring, Juventus still possessed the quality to take more from the match, but the two midfielders looked jaded throughout. Fatigue is understandable, though this was precisely the type of game for the young French star to shine and lift his team when they were struggling.

His failure to do so in the more mundane fixtures was discussed in detail here, and it is something Pogba must look to address if he is to become a truly transcendent star. He clearly has the talent to do so, but finding the will and desire when others are failing is a trait that sets the truly great players apart.

Juve will lament the end of their impressive record, but will simply look to start a new one when they host Sassuolo on Monday.