Mandragora's Second-Half Strike Earns Fiorentina Draw Against Juventus
Firenze, Italy — Fiorentina battled back to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Juventus at the Artemio Franchi on Saturday, as Rolando Mandragora's spectacular second-half strike canceled out Filip Kostic's first-half opener in a match that showcased both teams' determination.
The visitors struck first in dramatic fashion just before the halftime whistle. In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Filip Kostic put Juventus ahead with a well-placed left-footed shot from outside the box that found the bottom right corner. Dusan Vlahovic provided the assist, setting up his Serbian compatriot who rewarded the traveling supporters with a clinical finish.
Fiorentina responded brilliantly after the break, much to the delight of the passionate home crowd. Just three minutes into the second half, Rolando Mandragora equalized with a magnificent left-footed strike from outside the box that soared into the top right corner. Former Juventus striker Moise Kean provided the assist against his old club, laying the ball perfectly for Mandragora who unleashed an unstoppable shot that energized the Artemio Franchi faithful.
The match grew increasingly physical as both sides pushed for a winner, with referee discipline becoming a factor. Nicolò Fagioli entered the book early in the 7th minute, while American midfielder Weston McKennie saw yellow before halftime. The intensity continued after the break with four more yellow cards distributed, including cautions for both Mandragora and Juan Cabal in the 84th minute following a heated exchange.
The Juventus coach, Luciano Spalletti made an attacking substitutions in the closing stages, bringing on the dangerous duo of Jonathan David and Loïs Openda for Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz in the 88th minute. The fresh legs nearly made the difference as Juventus pressed forward, but Fiorentina's defense stood firm to preserve the point. Fiorentina also made tactical adjustments throughout the second half, with Mattia Viti replacing Luca Ranieri in the 82nd minute to shore up the backline.
The draw continues Fiorentina's solid home form while Juventus will be disappointed not to have capitalized on their first-half advantage. Both teams showcased quality in an entertaining contest that thrilled the Firenze crowd, with standout performances from goalscorers Kostic and Mandragora highlighting an evenly-matched Serie A encounter.