Dusan Vlahovic’s debut game at Juventus
In February 2022, Juventus won 2-0 against Verona. Relive Dusan Vlahovic’s first game with his new club since joining from Fiorentina.
Dusan Vlahovic continued his fine form as Juventus boosted their Serie A top-four hopes with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Empoli.
Moise Kean’s header and Vlahovic’s neat finish came either side of Szymon Zurkowski’s scrappy leveller, as Juve established a 2-1 half-time advantage on Saturday.
Vlahovic’s sublime lob put Juve two ahead, though Andrea La Mantia’s goal produced a nervous ending for the visitors.
Yet Massimiliano Allegri’s team stood firm amid late pressure to move six points clear in fourth place.
Danilo and Denis Zakaria both passed up good opportunities in the early exchanges but the visitors broke the deadlock when Kean met Adrien Rabiot’s cross, powering a header past Guglielmo Vicario.
Juve suffered an injury blow when the impressive Zakaria limped off, before Empoli levelled as Zurkowski evaded the visitors’ statuesque defenders to prod home from a corner.
Juve were not to be denied their half-time lead, however, with the superb Vlahovic turning smartly on Juan Cuadrado’s pass before drilling home.
Andrea Pinamonti should have done better with a 48th-minute volley but Empoli were further behind as Vlahovic lifted a wonderful finish over Vicario on the break.
Vlahovic has now been involved in 11 goals in his last eight games against promoted teams, with 10 goals and one assist.
The determined hosts would not lie down, however, and La Mantia reduced the arrears with a fierce finish shortly after Danilo headed onto his own bar. Despite a flurry of chances, however, Empoli’s comeback efforts proved fruitless.
Kean (32′), Zurkowski (39′), Vlahovic (45’+2′, 66′), La Mantia (76′)
