As Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina, Arkadiusz Milik scored his second goal in as many games and Mattia Perin saved a penalty from Luka Jovic.
Milik made his first Juventus start, replacing in-form ex-Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic on the bench, and scored early on at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
After a promising start, the Bianconeri faded, and Christian Kouame equalised with his first Serie A goal since September 2020.
Perin brilliantly denied Jovic after Leandro Paredes gave away a penalty on his debut, ensuring Juve’s unbeaten start to the season.
Juve took the lead nine minutes in when Juan Cuadrado’s cross was met by a Filip Kostic volley that was chested in from close range by Milik.
Just before the half-hour mark, Kouame raced onto Riccardo Sottil’s measured pass and slid a composed finish under Perin after Weston McKennie had inexplicably passed when he should have shot at the other end.
Just before halftime, Jovic had a golden opportunity to put Fiorentina ahead, but his spot-kick was superbly tipped onto the post by Perin after referee Daniele Doveri ruled that Paredes had handled Sottil’s cross following a VAR check.
At halftime, Massimiliano Allegri replaced Angel Di Maria with Mattia De Sciglio, and the frustrated Juve manager was booked for dissent.
In a drab second half, Antonin Barak’s strike was well blocked by Gleison Bremer, with Vlahovic strangely an unused substitute.
Sofyan Amrabat nearly won it late on, but the impressive stand-in goalkeeper Perin made an excellent save to keep the score even.
What does it imply? Juventus can get away with a flat display.
Juve were unable to build on a promising start for the second time this season, but this should be viewed as a point gained.
That early goal from Milik, a recent loan signing from Marseille, was their only shot on goal, and they had Perin to thank for three draws and two victories in their first five Serie A matches.
Fiorentina have not won in five matches in all competitions, and Kouame’s goal ended a four-match goalless streak for Vincenzo Italiano’s men.
Perin is a capable deputy.
Wojciech Szczesny’s injury in the midweek win over Spezia provided Perin with an early season opportunity, which he took with both hands.
His fingertip save to deny Jovic meant Juve keepers had saved four of the last seven penalties they had faced, and the number two displayed great agility to deny Amrabat’s late drive.
Paredes slows down
Argentina midfielder Paredes was rushed into the team after joining from Paris Saint-Germain, and he appeared to be out of shape.
He may have been unlucky to give away a penalty, but he was unable to stamp his authority on the game.
Important Opta Facts
- Juventus failed to score a goal in the second half for the fifth time in Serie A since 2004-05. (since this type of data was available).
- Juventus has scored in the first 10 minutes of play in three consecutive games for the seventh time in Serie A, the first time since 2012.
- Christian Kouame has one goal and one assist in Serie A this season, matching his total from the 2020-21 season, when he appeared in 33 games for Fiorentina.
- Kouame scored in Serie A after 34 games without scoring, his previous goal coming against Inter in September 2020.
What comes next?
Juve begin their Champions League campaign on Tuesday with a trip to Paris Saint-Germain, while the Viola face Rigas FS in the Europa Conference League two days later.