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As it happenedended

Cristiano Ronaldo scores as Juventus thrash Fiorentina

Relive all the action from Juventus' clash against Fiorentina in Florence 

Kieran Jackson
Saturday 01 December 2018 17:33 GMT
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Juventus stretched their yawning lead atop Serie A to 11 points with a convincing 3-0 victory over Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The defending champions, who have only dropped two points in the top-flight this season, went ahead courtesy of Rodrigo Bentancur's fine finish in the 31st minute.

Captain Giorgio Chiellini doubled their lead after the interval in scrappy fashion before Cristiano Ronaldo added gloss to the scoreline from the penalty spot.

The result emphatically ended Fiorentina's run of five successive draws as Juventus showed no sign of a European hangover.

When is it?

Kick-off is at 17:00 GMT

Where to watch online?

Eleven Sports are streaming the match online for UK viewers on Eleven Sports 2

Odds

Juventus to win: 4/6

Draw: 16/5

Fiorentina to win: 9/2

Prediction

Fiorentina 1-3 Juventus: Ronaldo is on a fine run of scoring in Italy and Juventus' Champions League tie in the week will not slow down their relentless domestic form.

Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this evening's Serie A clash between Fiorentina and Juventus.

We'll bring you updates and the goals as they fly in at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 16:11

TEAM NEWS

Starting with the hosts, Fiorentina make one change from the side which drew 0-0 at Bologna last Sunday. Captain German Pezzella, who was injured on international duty for Argentina, returns in defence replacing Federico Ceccherini. 

Here's their line-up in full:

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 16:26

TEAM NEWS

Runaway leaders Juventus make two changes from the team which beat Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday. Left-back Alex Sandro has a muscle injury, so Mattia De Sciglio takes his place, and Miralem Pjanic is given a rest and replaced by Juan Cuadrado in midfield.

Here's Juve's line-up in full:

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 16:33

Fiorentina have drawn their last five matches in Serie A, four of them with a 1-1 scoreline, and they haven't won since a 2-0 win against Atalanta at the end of September. They come into this match in tenth place, on 18 points, but they are unbeaten at home. Their top scorer is Marco Benassi with five goals. 

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 16:52

Juventus are unbeaten, top of the table and are already eight points clear of Napoli in second place. The only match they haven't won in Serie A was a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa, and Cristiano Ronaldo is their top scorer with nine Serie A goals.

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 16:57

The teams are out, and we're all set to get underway in Florence.

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 17:02

KICK-OFF:

Fiorentina get us underway here.

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 17:04

3 minutes

Fiorentina go close through top scorer Marco Benassi, whose right-footed shot just misses the top corner. 

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 17:06

8 minutes

Very high tempo early on, with Fiorentina looking to impose themselves from the outset. 

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 17:11

A packed house making themselves heard in Florence. 

Kieran Jackson1 December 2018 17:13

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