Even though it was a poor performance by Juventus, the three points are going back to Turin. Dusan Vlahovic made the difference on Saturday evening with a brace. Max Statman gives you a quick breakdown and player ratings.
After only 7 minutes in the game, Denis Zakaria got a chance to give Juventus the lead. The Swiss midfielder came one on one with Vicario, but Empoli’s goalkeeper saved his attempt. Zakaria would leave the field after 37 minutes because of an injury. He was replaced by Manuel Locatelli.
Vlahovic once again showed he doesn’t need a lot of space to create a chance. Juventus countered quickly and Kean gave the ball to Vlahovic, who’s shot through Ismajli legs went just wide. Empoli also created some danger themselves, but Leonardo Bonucci was there to block a shot from inside the box.
Juventus took the lead after 32 minutes of football. Moise Kean put his head to a cross from Adrien Rabiot and beat Vicario. Not even 10 minutes later, Empoli equalized. Juventus failed to clear a corner and Zurkowski equalized. Luckily for Juventus, they now have a world class striker who doesn’t need more than one chance. Vlahovic received the ball in the box from Cuadrado. The Serbian striker remained calm and made it 2-1 for Juve, just before halftime.
The second half started off very slowly and the difference between the teams was only one goal, until Dusan Vlahovic stepped up again. Alvaro Morata gave the ball to the Serbian striker, who went through on goal and chipped Vicario. Vlahovic had completed his brace after 67 minutes.
Empoli didn’t give up yet. The ball fell to La Mantia after, once again, sloppy defending by Juventus. His shot at the near post beat Szczesny, but the Polish goalkeeper arguably should have saved it. The end of the match became a lot more stressfull for the Bianconeri, and La Mantia, with some luck, almost got his brace. His attempt went just wide and Juventus remained in the lead. Empoli went looking for the equalizer late in the match, but it didn’t lead to big trouble for Juventus.
Player ratings
Szczesny 5;
Danilo 6, De Ligt 6, Bonucci 6.5, Pellegrini 6;
Cuadrado 6, Zakaria 6, Arthur 6.5, Rabiot 6;
Kean 6.5, Vlahovic 8.5
Substitutions: Locatelli 6.5, Morata 6,
