Juventus’ relentless charge to wrap up the Serie A title sometime before mid-February marched on at the weekend with a potentially tricky visit to the Stadio Artemio Franchi to take on a Fiorentina side determined to break that unbeaten record.
Fiorentina were heading into the game on the back of five straight draws while by contrast Juve were sitting eight points clear at the top of the table, having won 12 of their 13 league games. The smallest glimmer of hope for the Viola crowd was that they were unbeaten at home. A stern test for both sides and a fixture that we singled out as the latest in our 'Framed' series. Camera in hand from the other side of those white lines.
Well, you can now scratch that unbeaten home record, and any ideas of a tight and tricky away day for the league leaders as Juve strolled to a routine 3-0 win to take back to Turin. Fiorentina were punished for missing their chances, as Juventus capitalised on some lacklustre defending. Bentancur was the first to capitalise, playing a one-two with Paulo Dybala before slotting home. That was followed by second half strikes from Chiellini and an obligatory Cristiano Ronaldo strike, the Portugal captain scoring from the penalty spot for his tenth of the season. Black and white, all night.
Photography by Giacomo Cosua for SoccerBible.
