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Juventus escaped with a 1-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinals on Wednesday. Dušan Vlahović, who joined the Bianconeri from Fiorentina for up to $90 million in January, played the full 90, but it was one of his (former) teammates who scored the late winner.
Italian fullback Lorenzo Venuti was the victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, scoring a fluky own goal in the 91st minute to lose the game for his team. Juan Cuadrado whipped in a cross toward Vlahović in the dying moments, and it deflected off Venuti into his own net.
Lorenzo Venuti Own Goal vs. Juventus
Lorenzo Venuti won't want to see that one again
Fiorentina’s own goal gives Juventus an advantage going to the second leg of the Coppa Italia. pic.twitter.com/xZg98MaY27— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 2, 2022
It was a heartbreaking end to the match for the home side, which outshot Juventus 22-6 and held 55 percent possession.
After the match, Vlahović consoled Venuti, his former teammate.
Dušan Vlahović Consoles Opponent
Dusan Vlahovic consoles his former teammate Lorenzo Venuti at full-time. pic.twitter.com/gGVrKYs1fR
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 2, 2022
It was one of the nicer moments of the day, up there with Kepa running across the pitch to give his regards to injured Luton Town keeper Jed Steer and Gregg Berhalter farting in front of Kenny Dalglish, at least I assume that’s what made King Kenny make such a face.
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter taking in Liverpool vs. Norwich City in the FA Cup ahead of World Cup qualifiers next month.
Josh Sargent is on the bench for Norwich City pic.twitter.com/alR3w4w7I8— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 2, 2022
For his part, Vlahović had his chances despite having his every touch booed by the Fiorentina faithful. Early in the second half, the 22-year-old couldn’t loft the keeper to score, but Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said his new striker showed signs of improvement.
“He has to improve playing with the team and tonight he linked up with his teammates much better,” Allegri told Mediaset after the match. “Winning in Florence was not easy because we had so many players missing (with injury). We have given a great sign of maturity. Slowly we are improving and the team is finding more and more confidence.”
Among the players missing for Juventus was Weston McKennie. The American broke his foot in the Champions League last week and is expected to miss eight weeks. McKennie might make it back in time for the return leg on April 21, by which point Venuti will hopefully have gotten over his own goal.
Fiorentina vs. Juventus Highlights (First Leg)
Reuters contributed to this report.
