MY ACCOUNT
Arkadiusz Milik scored his second goal in as many games and Mattia Perin saved a Luka Jovic penalty as Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina.
Milik made his first Juve start, with in-form ex-Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic dropping to the bench, and he opening the scoring early on at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The Bianconeri faded after that promising start and Christian Kouame equalised with his first Serie A goal since September 2020.
Perin brilliantly denied Jovic after Leandro Paredes gave away a penalty on his debut and that ensured Juve remain unbeaten this season.
Juve were in front nine minutes in, when Juan Cuadrado’s cross was met by a Filip Kostic volley that was chested in by Milik from close range.
The Viola deservedly equalised on the break just before the half-hour mark, Kouame racing onto Riccardo Sottil’s measured pass and sliding a composed finish under Perin after Weston McKennie had inexplicably passed when he should have shot at the other end.
Jovic had a golden opportunity to put Fiorentina in front just before half-time, but his spot-kick was superbly tipped onto the post by Perin after referee Daniele Doveri ruled that Paredes had handled Sottil’s cross following a VAR check.
Massimiliano Allegri replaced Angel Di Maria with Mattia De Sciglio at the break and the frustrated Juve head coach was booked for dissent.
Antonin Barak’s strike was well blocked by Gleison Bremer in a drab second half, with Vlahovic strangely an unused substitute.
Sofyan Amrabat almost won it late on but the impressive stand-in goalkeeper Perin produced an excellent save to ensure it was honours even.
What does it mean? Juve get away with flat display
Not for the first time early in the season, Juve were unable to build on a promising start but this should be seen as a point gained.
That early goal from Milik, a recent loan signing from Marseille, was their only shot on target and they had the excellent Perin to thank for making it three draws and two victories from five Serie A matches at the start of the campaign.
Fiorentina are without a win in five matches in all competitions and Kouame’s strike ended a run of four matches without a goal for Vincenzo Italiano’s men.
Perin a more than able deputy
An injury sustained by Wojciech Szczesny in the midweek win over Spezia gave Perin an early season opportunity and he grabbed it with both hands.
His fingertip save to thwart Jovic meant Juve keepers have saved four of the last seven penalties they have faced and the number two showed great agility to keep out a late drive from Amrabat.
Paredes off the pace
Argentina midfielder Paredes came straight into the team following his move from Paris Saint-Germain and he looked short of match fitness.
He may have been a little unfortunate to have given away a penalty, but was unable to stamp his authority on the game.
Key Opta Facts
– Juventus did not manage a shot in the second half, for the Bianconeri this is the fifth time since 2004-05 in Serie A (since this type of data was available).
– Juventus have scored in the first 10 minutes of play for three straight games in a single season for the seventh time in Serie A, the first since 2012.
– Christian Kouame has scored one goal and provided an assist in Serie A this season, equalling his tally from the 2020-21 campaign when he made 33 appearances for the Fiorentina shirt.
– Kouame scored in Serie A after 34 goalless games, wiith previous goal coming in September 2020 against Inter.
What’s next?
Juve start their Champions League campaign with a mouthwatering trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, while the Viola take on Rigas FS in the Europa Conference League two days later.
