11 September 2019
Florence is never an easy field to play on. Not just for the traditional rivalry. It's the 14th match day of Serie A and Juve is travelling at full speed, with a virtuous path that puts them eight points ahead of the second placed team in the standings. It's a sufficient margin that only but cultivates the hope of an eighth successive Scudetto. At the same time, however, Fiorentina - led by Stefano Pioli at the time - is in the midway point of the table, not far from European qualification spot. What makes this match more complicated is the defensive solidity of the Viola rearguard, who has only conceded just 10 goals to boast the second best defence in Serie A, behind Juventus.
90 MINUTES
The progress of the game confirms the forecasts. The Viola immediately become dangerous with an effort from the outside foot of Benassi and there are other opportunities that are struck towards goal. But Szczesny's goal remains unaltered and the 0-3 final scoreline represents yet another showdown of a team that knows how to suffer, and at the same time, strike surgically. Not only that, the offensive value of Juventus is so widespread that three different scorers got onto the scoresheet: a midfielder, Rodrigo Bentancur, author of a masterpiece goal; a defender, Giorgio Chiellini, with a right-footed shot; and finally, a striker, the usual Cristiano Ronaldo, equalled John Charles' record from the 1957-58 season: scoring 10 goals in the first 14 games in his debut season.
THE NUMBERS
From the numerical data, two other very important dimensions of Allegri's Juventus emerge in this phase of the season. First, the number of balls intercepted: 15 against Fiorentina's two. At the same time, the Viola produced twice as many fouls than the Bianconeri. Put together, they are two very precise indications of how the defensive organisation of Juve is working, based more on the correct reading of situations than on a principle of aggression. Finally, it is worth underlining the test of Giorgio Chiellini: in additionto his goal, the Juventus captain is the player who carries out the greatest number of positive steps, participating a lot in the construction of the maneuver.
