Dusan Vlahovic returns to Florence for the first time since his January departure as Juventus take on Fiorentina in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie.
The holders edged past Sassuolo in the quarter-finals to progress into the last four as Fiorentina beat Atalanta in dramatic fashion to set up a reunion with former marksman Vlahovic. Juve’s big-money January arrival has continued his prolific form in Turin and he heads into Wednesday’s first leg having scored a majestic brace in the Bianconeri’s 3-2 victory over Empoli on Saturday.
Dusan Vlahovic. Again.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2022
The touch to set it into his path, the ice-cold finish 🥶
This guy means serious business. pic.twitter.com/SIjRP7BFVG
Fiorentina, meanwhile, succumbed to a last-minute Gregoire Defrel goal away at Sassuolo after Vlahovic’s replacement, Arthur Cabral, had cancelled out Hamed Traore’s first-half opener with two minutes remaining.
That defeat ended a three-game winning streak for Vincenzo Italiano’s Viola in all competitions which dented their European ambitions.
Nevertheless, the first meeting between these two sides back in November showed that this semi-final tie will be hotly contested. That game seemed destined for a stalemate before Juan Cuadrado struck at the death to hand Juve all three points.
The winner of this tie will take on Inter or AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final.
Fiorentina vs Juventus Coppa Italia semi-final first leg preview
Here’s our preview of Juventus’ trip to Fiorentina for the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg.
How to Watch Fiorentina vs Juventus
When is kick-off? Wednesday 2 March
What time is kick-off? 20:00 (BST)
Where is it played? Artemio Franchi Stadium
TV channel/live stream? Premier Sports 1 (UK), Paramount+ (US), CBS Sports (US)
Fiorentina Team News
Lucas Martinez Quarta will miss the first leg after he picked up two yellow cards in the quarter-final triumph over Atalanta. As a result, Nikola Milenkovic, who was suspended for Saturday’s defeat at Sassuolo, should come in for the Argentine and partner Igor.
Arthur Cabral will be vying for a starting berth ahead of fellow January arrival Krzysztof Piątek after he scored his first Fiorentina goal at the weekend.
La Viola don’t have many concerns on the injury front, if any at all.
Juventus Team News
Getting set for our third away in a row, as we shift focus onto the #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa 🏆💪
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) February 27, 2022
Max Allegri could welcome back some players for Wednesday’s game. Paulo Dybala and Daniele Rugani are back in contention, as is Federico Bernardeschi. Although, all three are likely to start on the bench if they’re deemed fit.
Federico Chiesa, Kaio Jorge and Weston McKennie are long-term absentees, while Giorgio Chiellini’s return doesn’t appear imminent. Alex Sandro is also out.
Mattia Perin should return between the sticks for this cup tie.
Fiorentina vs Juventus Predicted Lineups
Fiorentina: Terracciano; Odriozola, Milenkovic, Igor, Biraghi; Castrovilli, Torreira, Duncan; Saponara, Piatek, Gonzalez.
Juventus: Perin; Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt, De Sciglio; Cuadrado, Locatelli, Arthur, Rabiot; Vlahovic, Morata.
Fiorentina’s Recent Form
Sassuolo 2-1 Fiorentina (26/02) – Serie A
Fiorentina 1-0 Atalanta (20/02) – Serie A
Spezia 1-2 Fiorentina (14/02) – Serie A
Atalanta 2-3 Fiorentina (10/02) – Coppa Italia
Fiorentina 0-3 Lazio (05/02) – Serie A
Juventus’ Recent Form
Empoli 2-3 Juventus (26/02) – Serie A
Villarreal 1-1 Juventus (22/02) – Champions League
Juventus 1-1 Torino (18/02) – Serie A
Atalanta 1-1 Juventus (13/02) – Serie A
Juventus 2-1 Sassuolo (10/02) – Coppa Italia
Prediction
A hostile atmosphere is expected at the Franchi on Wednesday as the Fiorentina ultras welcome Vlahovic back to Florence for the first time since his January departure.
Wednesday’s encounter will be tough for Juventus, especially Vlahovic, who heads into the contest brimming with confidence following his superb performance at the weekend.
Nevertheless, Vincenzo Italian’s side, as progressive and dynamic as they are, have emerged as a gritty outfit willing to lean on the dark arts in order to achieve their goals. This combination, while a frustrating one for the neutral, has brought about success in Florence and I can envisage the hosts edging the Bianconeri in Wednesday’s first leg.
I fear Allegri will give the vengeful Viola too much control.
Prediction: Fiorentina 1-0 Juventus