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Juventus vs Fiorentina preview: How to watch Coppa Italia semi-final 2nd leg on TV, team news & prediction

By James Cormack

Juventus' Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic (R) is challenged by Fiorentina's Brazilian defender Igor Julio during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) semi-final first leg football match Fiorentina vs Juventus at the Artemio-Franchi stadium in Florence on March 2, 2022. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Juventus' Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic (R) is challenged by Fiorentina's Brazilian defender Igor Julio during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) semi-final first leg football match Fiorentina vs Juventus at the Artemio-Franchi stadium in Florence on March 2, 2022. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Juventus hold a slender advantage heading into the second leg. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Juventus hold a slender advantage heading into the second leg. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) /

Juventus host Fiorentina on Wednesday night with a place in the Coppa Italia final on the line.

The Bianconeri head into the semi-final second leg with a 1-0 lead after Lorenzo Venuti converted Juan Cuadrado’s cross into his own net at the death after La Viola had dominated the visitors on Dusan Vlahovic’s Firenze homecoming.

However, Vincenzo Italiano’s side refused to let their first leg disappointment disrupt their Serie A form. Fiorentina are unbeaten since, winning four of their last six.

Juventus, meanwhile, are stuttering towards the finish line. After their unconvincing 16-game unbeaten run in the league was snapped by Inter Milan earlier this month, the Bianconeri were forced to come from behind to beat Cagliari before they drew at home to Bologna at the weekend.

It was yet another dismal performance from Max Allegri’s side, and such incompetence will surely be punished by a confident Fiorentina outfit in Wednesday’s second leg. La Viola have played Juve close in their two meetings this season.

Juventus vs Fiorentina Coppa Italia semi-final second leg preview

Here’s our preview of the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Juve and Fiorentina.

How to watch Juventus vs Fiorentina

When is kick-off? Wednesday 20 April

What time is kick-off? 20:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Allianz Stadium

TV channel/live stream? Premier Sports 1 (UK), CBS Sports (US)

Juventus Team News

Matthijs de Ligt should be fit to start on Wednesday despite being forced off against Bologna with a stomach issue. The Dutchman will likely partner Giorgio Chiellini at centre-back once again.

Arthur Melo is an injury doubt after he missed Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. The Brazilian’s injury isn’t thought to be serious and he could make Wednesday’s matchday squad. However, he almost certainly won’t start.

Manuel Locatelli, Federico Chiesa, Kaio Jorge and Weston McKennie remain out for the Bianconeri.

Fiorentina Team News

Veteran midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura is the only injury concern for the away side. The Italian’s been struggling with a knee injury for over a month.

January arrival Jonathan Ikone is likely to start in front three alongside Vlahovic replacement Arthur Cabral and summer addition Nico Gonzalez.

Juventus vs Fiorentina Predicted Lineups

Juventus: Perin; Danilo, De Ligt, Chiellini, Pellegrini; Cuadrado, Zakaria, Rabiot, Morata; Dybala, Vlahovic.

Fiorentina: Terracciano; Odriozola, Milenkovic, Igor, Biraghi; Castrovilli, Amrabat, Torreira; Gonzalez, Cabral, Ikone.

Juventus’ Recent Form

Juventus 1-1 Bologna (16/04) – Serie A

Cagliari 1-2 Juventus (09/04) – Serie A

Juventus 0-1 Inter Milan (03/04) – Serie A

Juventus 2-0 Salernitana (20/03) – Serie A

Juventus 0-3 Villarreal (16/03) – Champions League

Fiorentina’s Recent Form

Fiorentina 1-0 Venezia (16/04) – Serie A

Napoli 2-3 Fiorentina (10/04) – Serie A

Fiorentina 1-0 Empoli (03/04) – Serie A

Inter Milan 1-1 Fiorentina (19/03) – Serie A

Fiorentina 1-0 Bologna (13/04) – Serie A

Prediction

Can Vincenzo Italiano lead a Fiorentina comeback in Wednesday’s second leg? (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Can Vincenzo Italiano lead a Fiorentina comeback in Wednesday’s second leg? (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

With Max Allegri’s stock dropping rapidly among supporters, this is a huge game for the Juventus manager. He was comprehensively outcoached by Italiano in the first leg, but he has a one-goal lead to hang on to on Wednesday.

How Allegri goes about preserving Juve’s first-leg advantage will determine whether the Bianconeri progress into the Coppa Italia final. Cede too much control against a savvy and technically proficient Fiorentina side desperate to defeat supposed betrayer Vlahovic, and Juve risk letting the visitors dominate the contest in Juve’s own backyard.

That certainly won’t look good against a coach that some have tipped to be a future Juve boss.

Nevertheless, I think the home side will, as they’ve often done this season, grind out the required result without pleasing the masses. This will be a tight and nervy affair, much like the semi-final second leg against Inter last season, and I can envisage a draw being the end result.

Prediction: Juve 1-1 Fiorentina (Juve win 2-1 on aggregate)

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