Juventus and Fiorentina Battle to a Dramatic 2-2 Draw in Serie A
In a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, Fiorentina managed to snatch a 2-2 draw against Juventus in the dying moments of their Serie A clash on Sunday. The hero of the day was forward Riccardo Sottil, whose last-gasp goal ensured that Fiorentina left Turin with a valuable point.
The match was not without its controversies, as discriminatory chants aimed at Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic by visiting Fiorentina fans led to a brief suspension of play. The Serbian international, who previously played for Fiorentina before his move to Juventus three years ago, brought the issue to the referee’s attention. This prompted a two-minute halt in the game, during which an announcement was made warning that the match could be called off if the chants continued.
Once play resumed, it was Khephren Thuram who opened the scoring for Juventus. In the 20th minute, Thuram showcased his skill with an impressive solo run, finishing with a low shot inside the near post. However, Fiorentina’s Moise Kean responded just before halftime, leveling the score with a well-placed header.
The second half saw Thuram once again put Juventus ahead, scoring his second goal of the night just three minutes after the restart. A low pass from Teun Koopmeiners, deflected off a Fiorentina player, found Thuram, who made no mistake in finding the far bottom corner from close range.
Despite Juventus’s lead, Fiorentina remained resilient. Their persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Sottil equalized with a powerful volley from close range, ensuring the match ended in a 2-2 draw. This result leaves Juventus in sixth place in the standings, level on 32 points with fifth-placed Fiorentina.
Fiorentina’s goalkeeper, David De Gea, played a crucial role in keeping his team in the game. He denied Vlahovic a chance to restore Juventus’s lead shortly before the break, requiring medical assistance after making a save with an outstretched arm.
Key Moments of the Match
- 20th Minute: Khephren Thuram scores for Juventus with a solo effort.
- Just before halftime: Moise Kean equalizes for Fiorentina with a header.
- 48th Minute: Thuram scores his second goal, putting Juventus back in the lead.
- 87th Minute: Riccardo Sottil’s volley secures a draw for Fiorentina.
Fiorentina’s ability to draw matches has been a notable feature of their season. Thiago Motta’s side has drawn 21 games in 2024, a record only surpassed by Perugia, who drew 22 matches in 1979 in a single calendar year in Serie A history.
Looking ahead, Juventus will face AC Milan in the semifinals of the Italian Super Cup on January 3, with a potential final against either Inter Milan or Atalanta three days later. They will return to league action on January 11 in a derby clash at Torino. Meanwhile, Fiorentina, who have a game in hand, will host Napoli in Serie A on January 4.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.
Originally Written by: ESPN
