03 December 2014
As the 2013/14 campaign crept into its pivotal stage, Fiorentina arrived at Juventus Stadium on a splendid Sunday afternoon ready to contest the first of a triple header between the two clubs in March 2014.
Juventus went into the encounter on the back of three Serie A wins but were coming up against a Viola outfit still in contention to finish among the lucrative Champions League places.
The meeting was made even tastier by the fact that Fiorentina were the side to have consigned the hosts to one of just two league defeats across the entire campaign.
The scene was set ahead of kick-off with the Bianconeri faithful putting on an incredible pre-match spectacle…
What a sight! #JuveFiorentina pic.twitter.com/7R17Auh74B
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 9, 2014
Juventus started brightly and registered their first shot on goal with five minutes played. Fernando Llorente won the ball midway through Fiorentina territory and proceeded to slip in Carlos Tevez, who took a touch before seeing his fierce effort deflected behind for a corner.
It was a sign of things come as on the quarter hour-mark, Arturo Vidal made a positive burst collecting Llorente’s through ball and although the pass sent him wide, the Chilean was able to cut it back to Stephan Lichtsteiner. The Swiss Express, however, skewed his effort wide of the target.
Kwadwo Asamoah then tested Neto’s fingertips via a deflection as the Bianconeri began to exert their dominance, and the Ghanaian again chanced his arm moments later when he saw a venomous shot shave the outside of the upright after the Viola failed to deal with a Juventus corner.
It was third time lucky for the 25-year-old on 42 minutes when he waltzed his way past a couple of desperate Fiorentina challenges, shifted the ball on to his so-called weaker foot and unleashed a rocket that took a nick off Juan Cuadrado on the way through before cannoning in off the post past a motionless Neto.
GOAL! #JuveFiorentina 1-0. @Asabob20 cuts inside Cuadrado and lets fly with his right boot. His shot takes a deflection and loops past Neto!
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 9, 2014
Juventus started the second period as they ended the first as Tevez approached the byline but was unable to pull the ball back for team-mate Llorente who was lurking in and around the six-yard area.
A rare foray forward from the visitors moments later saw Manuel Pasqual deliver a delicious cross into the area that was met by Mario Gomez but the German was unable to steer his effort on target.
Fiorentina rallied in the latter stages and hit the crossbar through second-half substitute Matos with 15 minutes remaining. Juventus, however, were able to hold firm and ensure three hard-earned points towards their title tilt.
The final whistle made it first blood to the Bianconeri, with the game serving as a perfect prelude to the key Europa League last-16 clash between the two sides set for the middle of the month.
FULL-TIME: #JuveFiorentina 1-0. That's it! @Asabob20's first-half attempt edges out Fiorentina at Juventus Stadium! #ForzaJuve
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 9, 2014
A familiar face from Hollywood among the crowd certainly seemed to revel in March’s Serie A triumph.
Star of record-breaking film Avatar @zoesaldana witnesses another record established at #JStadium! #JuveFiorentina pic.twitter.com/ZsWJNISBlQ
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 9, 2014
Following the encounter, Antonio Conte urged his troops to keep up their stellar league form so as to ensure a third successive Serie A title.
#Conte: Our victories over Milan and Fiorentina have put pressure on the chasing pack. It's important for us to keep going. #JuveFiorentina
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 9, 2014
March’s matchwinner expressed his delight at getting himself on the scoresheet with a somewhat unorthodox finish!
.@Asabob20: I've never scored with my right foot before, let alone one as good as that! #JuveFiorentina
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 9, 2014
Relive that Asamoah blockbuster plus all the post-match reaction from Juventus Stadium by watching our exclusive highlights package:
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