Spalletti’s Juventus also wanted it but couldn’t: in Florence, against Vanoli’s revitalized bottom of the table, the Bianconeri didn’t go beyond a 1-1 draw, they picked up a third draw in a row (their second in the league) with a new coach and didn’t see their ranking improve. The small point is oxygen for the Tuscan team, who are still aggressive and Kean is definitely improving.
Spalletti recovered Vlahovic and put him in the center of attack with McKennie and Yildiz on the flanks, while Koopmeiners remained in defence: the surprise was in the Tuscan forward line, with Piccoli and Kean pairing up front. Bad news at the start of the match was provided by racist chants against the Serbian Juventus player, a former violinist for those who have forgotten: the match was also stopped for a few minutes and then restarted, after Ranieri took his own action to convince the uncivilized people to stop. On the other hand, scoring chances were few: however, it was Spalletti’s side who tried with greater intensity and deluded themselves into thinking they would be awarded a penalty after a scuffle between Vlahovic and Marì. Doveri admitted it, VAR convinced him otherwise: Kean’s shot then hit the crossbar and the home team’s joy remained, choked in the throat. Anything else could have happened, but Vlahovic capitalized on the advantage by allowing Pongracic to narrow his sights on goal: perhaps the Lady were better on points, able to go into the break with the lead thanks to Kostic’s winning left-footed shot on full recovery.
Then it happened that the second half opened with the magic of former Juventus man Mandragora (a slap from outside the box straight into the top corner) and the match also became enjoyable, with the strength of the teams and potential chances on both sides (Locatelli and Kean, for example).
Vanoli especially looked for liveliness from Gudmundsson, Spalletti from Conceiçao: the Portuguese was the most dangerous in the final stages, but it was a header from McKennie that forced the Spanish number one to perform a half-miracle. But the results no longer changed: Juve’s ambitions were postponed, Fiorentina’s hopes were revived.
