Preview – Fiorentina vs Juventus
Italian giants Juventus resume their heated battle to qualify for the UEFA Champions League – if they are permitted entry by UEFA, that is – on Sunday, taking on Fiorentina in their 33rd fixture of the Serie A season. This 9 a.m. ET clash with the relegation-battling side will take place at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with the question of the hour being whether the Bianconeri will rack up all three points or suffer a slip-up.
The European Super League, a breakaway tournament founded by the Bianconeri and 11 other continental giants, was the talk off the town for the past week, with rumors claiming UEFA are pondering banning the Italian side from the Champions League next season. Fortunately, last season's Scudetto winners can shift their focus back to the pitch. Unfortunately for the Old Lady, things have not been going so well for them on that front.
Juventus are fourth in the table and with Napoli sitting only two points behind them, there is great fear the Turin outfit could miss out on Champions League football next season. Seeing the likes of Cristiano, Dybala, and De Ligt playing in the Europe League seems almost unfathomable but it's not all gloom and doom as third-placed Atalanta are level on points and only ahead courtesy of a superior head-to-head record.
Juventus have won only three of their last six league outings, stumbling to defeats against Atalanta and Benevento while drawing 2-2 away to Torino. As a result, it's only a matter of time until their nine-year Serie A winning streak officially comes to an end, with champions-elect sitting 11 points ahead with only six rounds left to play.
Fortunately, Pirlo's side head into this clash on the back of a confidence-boosting triumph over Parma. Despite going 1-0 down against the relegation-battling team, the Bianconeri fought back to win that tie 3-1, with Alex Sandro grabbing a lovely brace. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in the wall when Juventus conceded from a free kick, came under criticism for appearing to duck out the way of the goal-bound shot. The Portuguese ace must be out to silence everyone, having done just that when slammed for something similar in their UCL exit against Porto.
As for Fiorentina, they are fighting a completely different battle. The hosts enter this clash on the back of their 2-1 triumph over Hellas Verona, ending their four-game winless run. However, the Viola boast only two wins from their last nine outings nonetheless, and thus sit only five points clear of the relegation zone. Can they pull off a shock victory over last season's champions? Tune in to find out.
Team news
Fiorentina: Aleksandr Kokorin is out due to a thigh injury. Borja Valero is sidelined due to a similar issue while Giacomo Bonaventura is suspended.
Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi made their returns in the midweek win over Parma and are fit to start this weekend. Chiesa, on the other hand, is a doubt due to a thigh issue.
Key stats
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Juventus are unbeaten in their last 19 of their last 21 trips to Fiorentina.
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Ronaldo has scored three times against Sunday's opponents but all three goals came via penalties.
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The Viola have conceded 3+ goals in their last three home matches.
Broadcast listings
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
