Sebastian Giovinco was picked ahead of Mirko Vucinic to partner Fabio Quagliarella in attack for the visitors, while Andrea Pirlo also returned to the starting XI. For the Tuscans, midfielder Romulo was drafted into the line-up, with Adem Ljajic and Jovetic beginning together up front.

Fiorentina seemed to have the edge in matters during the early exchanges, and saw a penalty appeal correctly go unanswered after Ljajic was challenged inside the area by Leonardo Bonucci.

They were up in arms again 25 minutes into the game after the impressive Manuel Pasqual was felled in the area by Arturo Vidal, though replays suggested that the Chilean had got a touch on the ball first.

Juventus’ first-half display offered more evidence to their growing reputation as slow starters, with a pair of tame efforts from Giovinco about the best they could muster.

The Viola continued to hold the upper hand throughout the first period, but chances remained at a premium as Juve were able to pack numbers back in their own half.

That all changed minutes before the break, however, as Fiorentina fashioned two clear-cut chances from which they really should have gone ahead.

First, David Pizarro whipped in a devilish free-kick that Jovetic headed onto the crossbar from point-blank range. Then, Ljajic spurned an equally-great opportunity, dragging a shot across the face of goal with only Gianluigi Buffon to beat after racing clear of Bonucci.

The pattern continued at the start of the second half. Facundo Roncaglia drilled just wide from outside the box after beating two players on a mazy run, and Jovetic guided a good header off target after connecting with Juan Cuadrado’s cross.

The tempo of the match slowed down markedly after that, as Juventus seemed content to defend deep in their own half, without providing any penetration in attack.

Fiorentina, though, continued to look the better side, and Cuadrado went close in the 73rd minute when his low belter from the edge of the area flew the wrong side of the post.

The Colombian then created an even better chance for Pasqual minutes later with a great cross into the heart of the area, but the full-back was unable to make the most of it and headed wide.

Fiorentina continued to push forward in the closing stages of the game, but were unable to create any more meaningful chances as Juventus held on to claim a point that they scarcely deserved.