FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters) – A unlucky stoppage-time own goal from Lorenzo Venuti gifted Juventus a 1-0 win over Fiorentina of their Coppa Italia semi last first leg on Wednesday, as Dusan Vlahovic returned to his former membership however did not make an influence.
Vlahovic moved from Fiorentina to Juve as a part of a deal that made him the most costly signing in Europe’s January switch window, along with his each contact booed by followers in Florence who clearly had not forgiven the Serbian striker for leaving.
In a hostile ambiance, the house facet had the higher of the first-half probabilities, with Jonathan Ikone drilling simply broad halfway by way of the opening interval, as Juve and Vlahovic had been unable to threaten at all in attacking areas.
Vlahovic’s second got here early within the second half, however he couldn’t loft the ball over Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano when put by way of on goal.
Fiorentina regarded the probably to discover a winner to take to Turin for subsequent month’s second leg, with Ikone denied by the submit from their clearest opening, earlier than misfortune struck, proper at the final.
Juan Cuadrado’s cross was aimed at Vlahovic, however it was misdirected and Venuti might solely watch on in horror because the ball bounced off his knee and rolled agonisingly into the online to present Juve a win they didn’t totally deserve.
“He (Vlahovic) has to enhance enjoying with the group and tonight he linked up along with his group mates a lot better,” Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri informed Mediaset.
“Winning in Florence was not simple as a result of we had so many gamers lacking (with damage). We have given an excellent signal of maturity.
“Slowly we’re bettering and the group is discovering increasingly confidence.”
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Toby Davis)
