Fiorentina-Juventus: Ratings In Black and White

With points desperately needed in the pursuit of fourth place, Juve headed to Florence for a tough test against a Fiorentina side who have struggled in Serie A as much as the Turin outfit.

They emerged from a stern test with all three points after a hard earned 2-1 win. Fiorentina deserved more, but nobody connected with the Bianconeri will be complaining!

Here are the ratings:

Alex Manninger: 6

Some shaky moments including a collision with Kerrison that may have deserved punishment. Still made some good stops and can generally be pleased with his display.

Jonathan Zebina: 5

With Caceres and the much improved Grygera both missing, Juve returned to a four man defence, so we return to how bad the Frenchman is. Poor in a back three, worse as a conventional right back, his best contribution was to pick up a caution that means he is suspended next week. Both Gobbi and Vargas had the beating of him.

Nicola Legrottaglie: 6

Always alert to danger and playing reasonably well under Zaccheroni, but never as assuring as his partner Chiellini. Will be pleased to retain his place over Cannavaro who was impressive for the National team in mid-week. 

Giorgio Chiellini: 7

Another good performance from undoubtedly Juve's best player this season. No matter the number of changes around him, Chiellini is consistently imposing in defence. Finished the match in midfield after picking up an injury with no substitutions left.

Paolo De Ceglie: 5.5

Taken off at halftime, after enduring a torrid 45 minutes against former team-mate Marchionni. Not to blame for the equaliser as he had to pick up Giladino. Will struggle to retain his place after Grosso impressed as his replacement, which is a shame after some bright performances since winning the starting slot.

Claudio Marchisio: 6

Not a great performance, but an improvement on recent form. Far from ideal for a wide left role he made the best of it without complaining. Contributed well in attack but probably as culpable as De Ceglie for Marchionni's impressive first half. Needs to redouble his efforts defensively or risk losing his place, both in the Juventus team and the National team heading to South Africa.

Felipe Melo: 6

A good return to Florence for the Brazilian and the jeers greeting his every touch were to be expected, but it is an indicator of his change of fortune that they came from the home supporters rather than his own!

Momo Sissoko: 6

Made a few good tackles, and played a fantastic pass to Grosso for the winner, he was seemingly instrumental yet again in a win without playing particularly well himself. His presence in the team certainly improves the performances of others.

Antonio Candreva: 6.5

Good pass for Diego to open the scoring, and probably his best performance so far since joining the club, yet still way below the standard expected by the fans. He is left open so many times as teams scramble to cover when play is switched, yet managed to only create that one chance all match. 

Diego: 6

Could not have dreamt of a better start as he beat the offside trap, dummied the world's second best keeper and slotted home within 100 seconds of the start! Beyond his goal however, he did very little else for the remaining 91 minutes, doing nothing to silence his critics.

David Trezeguet: 5.5

Isolated up front in a role unsuited to his characteristics, he was disappointing tonight, although without the service we know this is what to expect from him. Should expect to lose his place to Iaquinta after failing to capitalise on Amauri's injury.

Substitutes

Fabio Grosso: 6.5

No doubt brought on for the experience he brings compared to De Ceglie, not only did he solidify the defence, he got on the score-sheet with a well taken winner from an acute angle. Played like he had a point to prove after losing his place to the youngster. Much improved. Player of the Day

Vincenzo Iaquinta: 6

Finally back after the longest injury lay-off of his career and has been sorely missed by a team seriously lacking a credible goal threat since he went down. Did little but requires as much time on the field as possible in his race for fitness.

Christian Poulsen: 5.5

Another player returning after a long period out injured, did very little of note in the time he had.