Mueez Ajao
– A superb double from Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic earned Juventus a 3-2 win at Empoli on Saturday, helping Massimiliano Allegri’s side close the gap on Serie A leaders AC Milan to seven points.
– Looking to capitalise on both Milan and second-placed Internazionale dropping points on Friday, Juve deservedly got themselves in front in the 32nd minute through a Moise Kean header to look on course for a comfortable victory.
– However, some woeful defending from the visitors allowed Szymon Zurkowski in to equalise seven minutes later.
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– Undeterred, Juve edged themselves back in front on the stroke of half-time, with Vlahovic showing a neat pair of heels to swivel in the penalty area before firing home.
– The goal that extended Juve’s lead was even more expertly executed than the first, as Vlahovic controlled a pass from Alvaro Morata before clipping a sumptuous finish into the net in the 66th minute.
– Andrea La Mantia’s shot that squirmed into the net then got Empoli back into it 14 minutes from time, but fourth-placed Juve held on to move onto 50 points from 27 matches played, seven behind Milan and four behind Napoli in third.
– Empoli, who refused to give in all match, stay 13th, without a win in their last 10 league games.
– Allegri insisted this week that Juventus are not in a title race this season, with Milan and Inter too far out of reach, but Friday’s results — Milan and Inter drew with Udinese and Genoa, respectively — gave them an opening to reduce the deficit.
– But things were not looking too promising as Empoli started well, with Denis Zakaria going close after just three minutes.
– Juve soon settled into the match and had several openings to score before Adrien Rabiot crossed for Kean to head home the opener.
– Failure to clear a corner cost Juve, though, as Zurkowski prodded home, turning the tide in the contest as Juve looked vulnerable.
– The brilliance of Vlahovic shone through, however, as he first fooled several defenders before equalising, then controlling a pass that was behind him and finishing superbly to put Juve in command.
– La Mantia’s goal proved to be in vain for battling Empoli as Juve held on, with Serie A’s most successful club sneaking back into the title race, despite what Allegri says.
