21 November 2015
Juventus’ Primavera continued their fantastic form by beating Fiorentina 1-0 in Vinovo on Saturday afternoon courtesy of Nicolò Pozzebon’s second-half strike.
Fresh from their Coppa Italia success against Spezia in midweek, which saw them reach the competition’s quarter-finals, Fabio Grosso’s young guns faced their toughest test of the season to date with today’s visit of the Viola, but passed with flying colours in toppling the table-toppers.
A typically tight first-half ended with both sides coming within whiskers of taking the lead. First Emil Audero produced heroics by blocking Simone Minelli’s close-range header, then down the other end of the pitch opposition stopper Artem Makarov was quick off his line to stop King Udoh in his tracks just moments before the interval.
The second period saw the Bianconeri step up a gear and their increased enterprise would soon be rewarded with what would prove to be the winning goal in the 62nd minute, Pozzebon notching his seventh of what has been a superb season so far for the 18-year-old forward.
Eager to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign, Fiorentina responded strongly to going behind, but the hosts stood firm despite Grigoris Kastanos’ dismissal midway through the half and sealed a crucial victory that sees them rise to within one point of the league table’s summit.
Speaking after the final whistle, Grosso sang the praises of his side: “The win was extremely important and I was particularly pleased with the way in which we took the initiative, showing the strength of character that has perhaps been lacking in previous matches. If we continue to show these qualities, we can achieve great things this term.”
