Juventus vs. Fiorentina: Winners and Losers from Serie a Game

Juventus Stadium welcomed Fiorentina on Sunday evening, hosting a fixture that pitted the reigning Serie A champions against the side arguably playing the best football on the peninsula so far in 2015/16.

Having won their last five league matches, the Bianconeri knew a victory would bring them ever closer to the top of the standings, and they recovered from an early penalty to emerge with a 3-1 win.

Massimiliano Allegri had stressed the importance of taking all three points at his pre-match press conference, the Juve boss admitting the importance of a victory against a side sitting above them in the table.

“The game represents a crucial junction in our season,” he told reporters, per the club’s official website. “Winning would allow us to keep making up ground and we want to still be fighting on all fronts come March.”

They did just that, and what follows is a closer look at some of the individual displays from this clash, highlighting the best and worst performances from this hugely significant fixture.

Winner: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)

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Juventus may have fallen behind in the opening moments, but Juan Cuadrado will undoubtedly have enjoyed his sixth-minute equaliser.

Having only left La Viola in January, the Colombian midfielder made his former team pay with a well-taken header as he connected with an excellent cross from Patrice Evra.

The goal marked only his second for the grand Old Lady of Italian football, his maiden strike having handed Juve victory over their cross-town rivals Torino earlier in the campaign.

Loser: Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

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While Cuadrado quickly got Juventus back on equal terms, that they were initially trailing was the fault of Giorgio Chiellini.

The Bianconeri defender was completely wrong-footed by Federico Bernardeschi with less than three minutes on the clock, conceding a penalty for his latest mistimed challenge.

Josip Ilicic converted the spot-kick, ensuring the error was sorely punished and adding to Chiellini’s growing list of costly mistakes.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri must be concerned at the lack of form shown by the 31-year-old, and with Daniele Rugani waiting for a chance, his place in the starting XI may not be as secure as it once was.

Winner: Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)

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In a closely fought and tense encounter, the qualities of Claudio Marchisio were clearly on display from the first whistle to the last.

The Turin-born midfielder is blessed with wonderful tactical awareness, ensuring he is almost always in the right position to make a challenge whenever his side lose the ball.

Indeed, according to WhoScored.com, Marchisio recorded no fewer than four tackles and one interception during the course of this clash, preventing Fiorentina from gaining a foothold in the game.

Loser: Ciprian Tatarusanu (Fiorentina)

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While his team-mates ensured this match was close throughout, an 80th-minute mistake from Ciprian Tatarusanu ultimately consigned Fiorentina to defeat.

The Romanian goalkeeper has been in impressive form this term, but he could only parry Paulo Dybala’s shot into the path of Mario Mandzukic, who found the back of the net easily.

Winner: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus)

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There is little doubt that the error from Ciprian Tatarusanu was costly, but the part Mario Mandzukic played in the winning goal cannot be understated.

The Croatian striker made a smart pass forward to start the move, and his goalscoring instincts pushed him to follow up the play to capitalise on that spill.

Adding to recent winning strikes against both Milan and Manchester City, Mandzukic continues to be a decisive front man for the Bianconeri and his understanding with Paulo Dybala grows stronger every time they play together.