Juventus successfully beat host Empoli with a score of 3-2 in the Italian League match at the Carlo Castellani Stadium, Saturday (26/2).
Juventus opened the scoring 1-0 in the 32nd minute through Moise Kean. This goal came from Adrien Rabiot’s cross which was successfully headed in by Kean.
Seven minutes later, Empoli was able to equalize through Szymon Zurkowski. Zurkowski took advantage of the chaos that occurred in front of the Juventus goal after a corner kick was taken.
Before the first half ended, Dusan Vlahovic managed to bring Juventus back ahead. This goal came from the Bianconeri’s quick attack which was preceded by Arthur’s pass to Juan Cuadrado.
Cuadrado’s ball crossed for Vlahovic after rounding the Empoli backline.
After receiving the ball, Vlahovic made a trick before firing a shot at Empoli’s goal which was guarded by Guglielmo Vicario.
Vlahovic then increased Juventus’ advantage to 3-1 in the 66th minute. Receiving feedback from Alvaro Morata, Vlahovic coolly poked a kick to send the ball into the Empoli goal.
Empoli substitute Andrea La Mantia made it 2-3 with a goal in the 76th minute, six minutes after he arrived on the pitch.
There are no additional goals in the remaining time available. Juventus ended the match with a score of 3-2.
Massimiliano Allegri impressed with Dusan Vlahovic’s performance as Juventus beat Empoli.
Now, Vlahovic immediately became an important player for Juventus after joining in the January transfer market.
“Vlahovic is an important player. He has character as good as quality and has character that we don’t have in the squad,” Allegri said, quoted from Football-italy, Sunday.
With the character possessed by the former Fiorentina player, Vlahovic is considered to always want to win and continue to learn. In fact, continued Allegri, Vlahovic’s movement was more in the match at the Castellani Stadium, and did not just sit still in the middle position. “That’s a big advantage for him and Juventus,” he said.
However, Allegri is reluctant to compare Cristiano Ronaldo to Vlahovic. According to him, Vlahovic cannot be compared to Ronaldo, who has won four Ballon d’Or titles. But that’s because Vlahovic is still in the early stages of his career. According to him, a good game is not enough to be as big as Ronaldo.
“You need a strong mentality and he is at the start of his journey,” said Allegri.
Allegri added that the game against Empoli was difficult, because it moved well to every corner of the pitch. He even admitted Empoli could have leveled at 3-3, with the Tuscans’ final effort hitting the post.
“I’m glad we’re back fighting when we need to fight to bring home results as a team,” he said.
