We were never going to learn Coppa Italia finalists tonight anyway, but Juventus made a giant leap forward when a late own goal from Lorenzo Venuti gave them an undeserved win over Fiorentina. It was an even game in which the hosts missed a few chances to spoil Dusan Vlahovic’s return to Tuscany. Instead, they were made to pay for their misses with a clumsy own goal deep in added time.🇮🇹🏟 Here is how Vlahovic’s warm-up ended vs his former club Fiorentina. Incredible atmosphere in the Coppa Italia semi-final. pic.twitter.com/kymsjQ2OtE— Your Football News (@YFNews) March 2, 2022 It’s always hot and nervous when Fiorentina and Juventus play. These two clubs nurture a three-decades-long hatred that’s been made worse down the years after numerous controversies and transfers that saw Juve snatch some of Viola’s best players. The recent sale of Serbian goal machine Vlahovic to the black and whites of Turin made the purple fanbase very angry indeed. And they were hell-bent on venting their frustration when I Bianconeri rolled into town.Burdened by numerous injuries, the black and whites were forced into changes that saw youngster Marley Ake start down the right wing. But Vlahovic was there, partnered by Moise Kean. However, Juventus’ problem was to get a hold of the ball and deliver it to their attacking duo.Fiorentina, watched by their legend Gabriel Batistuta from the director’s box, started the match strongly, determined to harness the energy from the stands and turn it into goals.Giacomo Bonaventura missed a great chance after a terrible clearance from goalkeeper Mattia Perin, but he was stunned with the opportunity that was presented to him and he fired high over the bar when he really should have put the ball into the unguarded net.Former Lille winger Jonathan Ikone created all sorts of troubles for the Turin club with his amazing dribbling ability, but he rolled a shot just past the post, much to the relief of Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri.Juventus got a bit more of the ball in the second half, but home ‘keeper Pietro Terracciano was largely untested.Juan Cuadrado came on after the break and was Juve’s main attacking threat down the right. The introduction of Alvaro Morata didn’t seem to improve the visitors’ fortunes, but they didn’t seem to be that bothered about finding a goal. They knew that there was the return leg to play at their place.However, Lorenzo Venuti gave them a big boost and helped them in their bid to reach the final. It was a disaster for the home fans as they watched the black and white celebrate a largely undeserved victory.COPPA ITALIA Semi-final, first legTuesdayAC Milan – Inter Milan 0-0WednesdayFiorentina – Juventus 0-1 (0-0)/Venuti 90+2 og/
