Perennial Serie A champions Juventus took the sting out of the derby at Fiorentina, opening up an 11-point margin at the top thanks to a 3-0 victory.
Uruguay centre midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur skipped through for the early opener, Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini’s saved shot fortuitously spun in on 69 minutes against the run of play and Portugal superstar emphatically slammed in a penalty-kick.
WITHOUT ANY RIVAL
Fiorentina and Juventus is a rancorous rivalry borne out of grievance, rather than geography.
Long memories in Florence hark back to 1981/82’s painful final-day ‘theft’ of the Serie A-crown, 1989/90’s contentious UEFA Cup final loss and the subsequent defection of golden boy Roberto Baggio that sparked mass riots.
La Viola’s lowest win percentage, however, in the top flight is against Juve and their unbeaten home record this term was never going to stay intact.
Fiorentina saw chances go begging and a composed Juve’s 3-0 win was earned despite influential midfielder Miralem Pjanic being rested on the substitutes’ bench.
Avoid defeat to Inter Milan on Friday and the seven-time reigning holders will be out of sight by Christmas.
STRONGER THAN EVER
Ronaldo’s 10th goal in his last 11 Serie A matches and the continued brilliance of fellow summer addition Joao Cancelo provide two glaring reasons why Juve are even better this season.
But another source of their renewed strength was present on Saturday. Attacking responsibility was granted to Bentancur, 21, in the absence of Pjanic.
10 - Prior to Cristiano Ronaldo, the last Juventus player able to score at least 10 goals in his first Serie A season after MD14 was John Charles in 1957/58. Legend.#FiorentinaJuventus #SerieA pic.twitter.com/ByuEe1JtRn
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) December 1, 2018
He showed remarkable composure to slide in the first. There was also 62 touches from him; Juve’s third most.
The ex-Boca Juniors starlet’s sophomore season goes from strength to strength.
VIOLA’S MIXED BAG
Fiorentina’s fortunes are tied into the performance of a trio of youngsters with a combined age of 65.
Argentina striker Giovanni Simeone, 23, had air shots in both halves and last scored for club or country on September 19 – 13 matches ago.
Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic, 21, was tormented by Cancelo, booked in the second half and curiously failed to read the bounce on Chiellini’s first goal since September 2016.
Vice-captain Federico Chiesa, 21, however can feel content with his work. The Italy forward had Fiorentina’s most attempts with five and was a block away from making it 1-1.
