Fiorentina-Juventus tie marred by tear gas incident

Juventus came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Fiorentina in an Italian Cup tie interrupted when tear gas drifted over the pitch following violent clashes between fans and police outside the ground yesterday.

The fourth-round first-leg game was held up for 20 minutes at the start of the second half after tear gas was fired by police outside the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.

Although both teams were not at full strength, it proved to be an exciting match.

Valeri Bojinov broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, bringing down Tomas Ujfalusi's cross and volleying crisply past keeper Gianluigi Buffon, playing his first game after a three-month injury layoff.

When the tear gas incident began two minutes into the second half, spectators left the stands and referee Luca Palanca stopped the game and sent the players back to the dressing rooms. Play resumed 20 minutes later and it was Fiorentina who looked the more alert. Pazzini doubled the home side's lead in the 50th minute, slipping the ball in at Buffon's near post.

Juve replied three minutes later when midfielder Patrick Vieira teed up an inviting ball on the edge of the area that Gianluca Pessotto thumped past keeper Sebastian Frey.

The visitors equalised in the 69th minute when an Adrian Mutu cross curled over the top of Frey and bounced in off the far post.

Played Yesterday

Fiorentina 2
Juventus 2

December 7
Bari vs Palermo 6 p.m.

December 8
Lazio vs Cittadella 3 p.m.
Cagliari vs Sampdoria 6 p.m.
Napoli vs Roma 9 p.m.
Return legs: January 5/6.