Juventus vs. Fiorentina: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
The latest instalment in one of Italian football’s most deeply-felt rivalries takes place this week, with Fiorentina visiting Juventus Stadium for the second time this season. Built upon decades of mistrust and animosity, this clash is always among the most eagerly anticipated on the Serie A calendar, particularly when the stakes are at their highest.
That is certainly the case on Wednesday evening, with the Viola fully aware that anything other than victory will likely see their opponents celebrate a fourth consecutive league title. Juventus need just one more win—or indeed for both Lazio and AS Roma to lose—in order to seal the 2014-15 championship.
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It seems strange to say, but the two teams—despite each securing a European semi-final berth just last week—come into this clash in relatively poor form. Fiorentina have lost each of their last three domestic outings, plus a 3-0 defeat at home to the Bianconeri in the Coppa Italia.
Indeed, last week’s Europa League triumph over Dynamo Kiev is the only win in their last five matches in all competitions. For Max Allegri’s men, Sunday’s derby loss to Torino—analysed in detail here—marked the first time they had lost to their cross-city neighbours in 20 years.
Having also dropped all three points away to rock-bottom Parma, it has been a strange few weeks for Juventus, who overcame Champions League opponents AS Monaco and beat second-placed Lazio in between those two defeats.
Both teams will hope to bounce back in this encounter, with Vincenzo Montella and his players hoping to keep the championship champagne on ice for another week, while the home side will hope to wrap up the title in order to concentrate their efforts elsewhere.
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Time: 8:45 p.m. CET (7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. EDT)
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin
TV Info: BT Sport 2 (U.K.), BeIN Sports (U.S, delayed)
Live Stream: BeIn Sports Connect (U.S.)
Form Lines
Last five domestic results:
Predicted Lineups
Juventus: (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, Padoin; Vidal, Pirlo, Sturaro; Pereyra, Tevez; Morata
Torino: (3-5-2): Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian; Quagliarella, Lopez
Player to Watch
In the continued absence of Giuseppe Rossi, Mario Gomez has become the main attacking threat for Fiorentina. The 29-year-old endured a difficult start to 2014-15, a number of niggling injuries limiting his impact, and by mid-January the former Bayern Munich star had scored just one goal in 16 appearances.
He then rounded into a deadly patch of form, adding nine more goals in all competitions and playing a key role in their Europa League success. The Bianconeri will need to be at their best to stop him and improve upon their recent poor showings in defence in order to do so.
Giorgio Chiellini struggled against AS Monaco and was fortunate not to be sent off for a blatant handball offence, while Angelo Ogbonna and Leonardo Bonucci were both guilty of subpar efforts against Torino on Sunday.
Key Battle
Mohamed Salah has been a revelation since moving to Florence, proving just how incisive he can be when given the chance to showcase his talents. Continually overlooked at Chelsea by Jose Mourinho, the Egyptian midfielder has been simply sensational in Serie A, weighing in with seven goals and two assists since his January transfer.
Netting a brace when these sides met in the Coppa Italia, Salah appeared to have put the Viola into the final, only for a superb second-leg display from Juventus to eliminate them. Having rested against Torino, Patrice Evra is likely to be charged with slowing down the pacey winger.
The former Manchester United star is more than capable of doing just that, and he too has enjoyed a renaissance since arriving in Italy. Providing width, attacking impetus and defensive solidity, the 33-year-old has become an integral part of Allegri’s plans either in the 3-5-2 formation or a more orthodox back four.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Away win: 15-4
Home win: 4-5
Draw: 12-5
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