Fiorentina vs Juventus: Rivalry Reignites at Franchi

A Historic Rivalry Renewed

The iconic Artemio Franchi stadium is buzzing with anticipation as Fiorentina welcomes Juventus for one of Serie A's most historic rivalries. The match, taking place on November 22, 2025, marks the 12th round of Serie A and carries significant weight for both sides amid contrasting seasons.

Stadium Atmosphere: First Sold-Out of the Season

For the first time this season, the Franchi stadium is sold out, with over 21,000 fans expected to pack the stands. Despite the reduced capacity due to ongoing renovations of the Curva Fiesole, the passionate supporters are ready to create an electric atmosphere. Around 300 Juventus fans are also in attendance, traveling to support their team in this crucial away encounter.

Team News and Formations

Paolo Vanoli's Fiorentina, still searching for their first win of the season after 11 matches (5 draws, 6 losses), has made several changes in an attempt to spark a turnaround. The Italian coach has opted for a 3-5-2 formation with De Gea in goal, a back three of Pongracic, Marì, and Ranieri, and a midfield that includes the returning Fagioli and Nicolussi Caviglia. In attack, Moise Kean starts alongside Piccoli, with Gudmundsson on the bench.

Meanwhile, Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, who has personal ties to Florence as he was born in Certaldo and began his playing career in Fiorentina's youth system, has lined up his team in a 3-5-1-1 formation. Di Gregorio starts in goal, with Kelly preferred to Gatti in defense. The midfield features Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, and Thuram supporting Yildiz in the attacking third, with Vlahovic as the lone striker.

First Half Drama

The match kicked off with both teams feeling each other out in the early stages. Juventus controlled possession, while Fiorentina remained compact, looking to exploit spaces on the counter-attack.

The first notable chance came in the 25th minute when Moise Kean, facing his former club, unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that cannoned off the crossbar, leaving Di Gregorio helpless.

Controversy erupted in the 15th minute when Vlahovic went down in the box after a challenge with Pablo Marì. The referee initially pointed to the spot for a penalty, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, much to the frustration of the Juventus players and fans.

The match was temporarily halted in the 19th minute due to racist chants directed at Vlahovic. The referee spoke with both captains and the Serbian striker before allowing play to resume after an announcement urged fans to stop the discriminatory behavior.

In the 36th minute, Vlahovic had a golden opportunity to put Juventus ahead. He beat Marì to the ball, advanced on goal, and rounded De Gea, but his shot went wide of the empty net as Pongracic made a crucial recovery tackle.

Fiorentina nearly broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when Mandragora's powerful free kick from the edge of the box just missed the target, forcing Di Gregorio into a full-stretch save.

Context and Stakes

This match carries significant importance for both teams. For Fiorentina, it's a chance to finally secure their first victory of the season and inject some momentum into their campaign. As the only team in Europe's top five leagues without a win after 11 matches, pressure is mounting on Vanoli's side.

For Juventus, the match represents an opportunity to return to winning ways after consecutive draws against Sporting CP and Torino. A victory would help them climb the Serie A table and maintain their push for European qualification.

"So cosa vuol dire giocare qui e cosa significa per Firenze e per i fiorentini questa partita. Sarà una gara bella e difficile." - Giorgio Chiellini, Juventus director

What's Next

As the match approaches the halftime break with the score still 0-0, both teams will look to regroup and adjust their strategies. The second half promises to be intense, with both sides aware of the importance of securing all three points.

Regardless of the outcome, this Fiorentina-Juventus encounter exemplifies the passion and drama that makes Italian football so compelling, from the sold-out stadium to the controversial decisions and missed opportunities that define the beautiful game.