The Cult of Calcio
Stadio Artemio Franchi sets the stage for a high-stakes Serie A showdown between downtrodden Fiorentina and out-of-form Juventus. November’s international break arrived at the best possible moment for both teams, giving them a fortnight to regroup.
Fiorentina sacked Stefano Pioli on the eve of the international break following a dreadful start to the season. La Viola headed into the two-week hiatus from club football nailed to the bottom of the Serie A standings as one of only two teams yet to taste victory this term (D5, L6).
New boss Paolo Vanoli oversaw a pulsating 2-2 draw at Genoa on his touchline debut, with Fiorentina overturning an early deficit, only to drop points from a…