']]}Juventus undeservedly return from Florence with only one point. Ranieri's team controlled the match after going one up thanks to Iaquinta, but conceded a penalty in the dying minutes of the match, scored by ex-Juventus striker Mutu. Now it's time for the national teams. The next League fixture will be a home game against Genoa in two weeks' time.
Juventus were unable to bring home three deserved points due to a penalty two minutes from the end - Legrottaglie's handball was punished and the penalty converted by Mutu. Ranieri's team had had no problem controlling the match all through the second half up to that point, after Iaquinta had opened the scoring in the first; Salihamidzic and Trezeguet had also gone close to doubling the score before Fiorentina finally equalized. The end result was 1-1, a score that mostly favours Inter Milan, who earn two points' advantage on their closest rivals. Now it's time for the national teams to play. Juventus’ next League fixture will be in two weeks, when Genoa will arrive at the Turin Olimpico.
One day after Inter Milan's victory against Napoli, second-placed Juventus and third-placed Fiorentina faced each other at the Franchi stadium for a match worth more than the three points on offer. The rivalry was still very much there, despite the fact that there were no Juventus fans present, following the Government's ban.
Ranieri, who spent four important years at Fiorentina, surprised everyone by not employing three up front. Del Piero was on the bench, with Trezeguet-Iaquinta the forward duo in a 4-4-2 formation, the defence that played the derby confirmed in front of Captain Buffon: Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini and Molinaro. With Zanetti out suspended, Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Almiron and Nedved were the four in midfield. Among the opponents, 2 ex-Juventus players like Balzaretti and Mutu were on the pitch, with Vieri on the bench.
The first chance came after 5 minutes. Nedved passed to Almiron but Dainelli intercepted at the last second. At the other end Mutu tried his luck but his shot went wide. The Rumanian wanted to score against his former club and he had a great effort on 15 minutes: his volley from way out went just high over the bar. Nocerino was the first to be booked, for a foul on Ujfalusi.
Mutu confirmed he was the most dangerous man on his team when he headed over the bar from a corner kick after 20 minutes. But the score was to change after 23 minutes. Iaquinta was excellent in running to pick up a short knock-back from Fiorentina's defenders, taking aim and scoring with a clinical finish with his right foot: it was the ex-Udinese player's fourth goal in as many matches. Fiorentina reacted and after 32 minutes Buffon was superb, saving with his foot on an Ujfalusi shot deflected by Almiron. The Bianconeri replied immediately and Nedved forced a save out of Frey too.
Ranieri's team tried to maintain the initiative in the opponents' half, to block any chance of the Viola replying. Nocerino tried two crosses but they were not precise for Trezeguet or Iaquinta to head in. Nedved fought on every ball in every part of the pitch. Molinaro – one of the best in the first half – was exceptional when he ran with the ball for half the length of the pitch before trying to serve Trezeguet, but his pass was a little too long. The first half ended with no further goalmouth incidents. Juventus deservedly finished the half up 1-0, thanks to Iaquinta.
Second half: Fiorentina immediately changed Kuzmanovic with Vieri, clearly wanting to increase the weight of their attack, which in the first half hadn't really created a lot of problems for Buffon, as the most dangerous shot had been from a defender, Ujfalusi. Just like in the first half, the first chance was after 5 minutes of play: a Mutu free kick was saved by Buffon and then Frey saved with his foot on a Trezeguet right footer, after a Iaquinta pass.
The match script seemed clear at this point: Fiorentina working hard to create chances and the Bianconeri often dangerous on the counter-attack. Dainelli tried after 8 minutes, from a Semioli cross, but the ball went high. Trezeguet's header two minutes later was less dangerous, but it served to keep pressure on the hosts. The situation didn't change in the first fifteen minutes.
But after 20 minutes the thrills started again. Juventus had a great chance, Iaquinta and Nedved began the play well but neither Salihamidzic nor Trezeguet were able to finish it. Both Managers made changes. Prandelli used up all his substitutions in one go when he put Vanden Borre and Gobbi on for Semioli and Pazzini. Ranieri took off Nedved, who'd given everything he had, and tried Palladino. A few minutes later Del Piero replaced Iaquinta.
The match entered its final 15 minutes with Juventus still in control and Fiorentina starting to feel tired due to the 120 minutes played Thursday in the UEFA Cup. Their most dangerous man was still Mutu, who tried from a free kick – his shot hit the wall – and then with a header that went wide. Juventus took a breather thanks to a play orchestrated by Molinaro, Salihamidzic, Trezeguet, and Del Piero - but the defence cleared. And on the rebound the unthinkable happened. There was a cross and the ball touched Legrottaglie's arm, with Rizzoli awarding a penalty. Mutu converted despite Buffon almost saving.
There were four minutes more to play due to injury time given by the ref. Fiorentina believed they could win it at this point, urged on by their fans. There was chaos in Juventus' penalty area which resulted in Vieri and Chiellini getting booked but the score was not to change. It ended 1-1, a result that has somewhat the taste of a cruel joke for Ranieri and his team.
Serie A TIM 2007/08
7th round
Firenze, Artemio Franchi stadium
Sunday 7th of October 2007, 3.00 pm
FIORENTINA - JUVENTUS 1-1 (0-1)
GOALS: 23' Iaquinta, 88' Mutu (pen.)
Frey; Ujfalusi, Gamberini, Dainelli, Balzaretti; Kuzmanovic (46' Vieri), Donadel, Montolivo; Semioli (67' Vanden Borre), Pazzini (67' Gobbi), Mutu
Subs: Lupatelli, Pazienza, Pasqual, Liverani
Coach: Prandelli
JUVENTUS: Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro; Salihamidzic, Nocerino, Almiron, Nedved (71' Palladino); Iaquinta (77' Del Piero), Trezeguet
Subs: Belardi, Birindelli, Zebina, Criscito, Tiago
Coach: Ranieri
BOOKED: 18' Nocerino, 43' Kuzmanovic, 82' Legrottaglie, 93' Chiellini, 93' Vieri
REFEREE: Rizzoli (Bologna)
ASSISTANTS: Strocchia and Rossomando
FOURTH OFFICIAL: De Marco
refer : Juventus.com