Juventus v Empoli Live Commentary & Result, 30/03/2019, Serie A

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	JUV Juventus	38	28	6	4	70	30	+40	90	L D L D D
2	NAP Napoli	38	24	7	7	74	36	+38	79	L W W W W
3	ATA Atalanta	38	20	9	9	77	46	+31	69	W D W W W
4	INT Internazionale	38	20	9	9	57	33	+24	69	W L W D D
5	MIL Milan	38	19	11	8	55	36	+19	68	W W W W L
6	ROM Roma	38	18	12	8	66	48	+18	66	W D W D W
7	TOR Torino	38	16	15	7	52	37	+15	63	W L W D W
8	LAZ Lazio	38	17	8	13	56	46	+10	59	L D W L W
9	SAM Sampdoria	38	15	8	15	60	51	+9	53	W D L D L
10	BOL Bologna	38	11	11	16	48	56	-8	44	W D W L W
11	SAS Sassuolo	38	9	16	13	53	60	-7	43	L D L D W
12	UDI Udinese	38	11	10	17	39	53	-14	43	W W W D L
13	SPA SPAL	38	11	9	18	44	56	-12	42	L L L W D
14	PAR Parma	38	10	11	17	41	61	-20	41	L W L D D
15	CAG Cagliari	38	10	11	17	36	54	-18	41	L D L L L
16	FIO Fiorentina	38	8	17	13	47	45	+2	41	D L L L L
17	GEN Genoa	38	8	14	16	39	57	-18	38	D D L D D
18	EMP Empoli	38	10	8	20	51	70	-19	38	L W W W L
19	FRO Frosinone	38	5	10	23	29	69	-40	25	D L L D L
20	CHI Chievo	38	2	14	22	25	75	-50	17	D D L L D

That's all from the Allianz Stadium. Thank you for following our live coverage of this Serie A clash. Until next time!

Juventus, who are now 18 points clear at the summit, will look to follow up on this victory when they travel to Cagliari on Tuesday night. It doesn't get any easier for Empoli who continue their fight for survival when they host second-placed Napoli on Wednesday.

Juventus edge to a 1-0 victory over Empoli courtesy of Kean's second-half strike. The homes side were not at their usual best while Empoli impressed by dominating possession in the first half particularly, but they failed to make effective use of the ball. However, Juventus were more assertive in second period and owe their victory to Allegri's inspired introduction of Kean who slotted home the winner just three minutes after coming on. Juventus were then able to close out the final 20 minutes without any serious threat from the visitors.

90' + 4' FULL-TIME: JUVENTUS 1-0 EMPOLI

90' + 4' Szczesny punches away Farias' free-kick and Juventus avoid any serious danger.

90' + 3' Can fouls Farias on the right wing and Empoli have a chance for a final delivery into the box.

90' + 2' Juventus look to run the clock down by keeping hold of the ball in Empoli's half, but the visitors have now reclaimed it and are looking to launch a final attack.

90' There will be four minutes of added time.

89' Empoli play with the ball around the edge of Juventus' box while waiting for an opening, but Chiellini then manages to draw a foul from Ucan and the home side win the free-kick.

87' Di Lorenzo curls a clever ball from the right wing towards Caputo at the near post, but he fails to reach it and Chiellini clears for a corner.

86' Empoli lose the ball on the edge of Juventus' box which allows the hosts to launch a counter-attack. Kean drives forward down the right wing and lays it back to Bentancur, but he misplaces his pass and Empoli are able to clear.

M. Cáceres

F. Bernardeschi

84' Juventus' third change sees Caceres replace Bernardeschi in a defensive move.

84' Bernardeschi wins a free-kick on the left flank, but Pjanic's resulting delivery curls wide of the near post.

82' Spinazzola looks to take on Di Lorenxo on the right wing, but the defender wins the battle and is able to clear the danger.

M. Pasqual

D. Maietta

80' Empoli's third change sees Maietta replaced by Pasqual.

A. Acquah

R. Krunić

80' Acquah then enters the fray for Empoli in place of Krunic.

S. Uçan

M. Pajač

79' Empoli make a triple substitution with Pajac firstly leaving the field to be replaced by Ucan.

78' CHANCE! Kean almost scores a second! Pjanic slides a well-weighted ball into the forward who has a clear run through at goal, but Dragowski palms away his one-on-one effort.

76' Empoli look deflated after Kean's opener, but they are now back in possession and trying to carve an opening in the Juventus defence.

74' Spinazzola crosses it in from the right, but it evades the lurking Kean at the back post.

M. Mandžukić

Assist

72' Mandzukic showed great vision to knock the ball into Kean's path and the substitute then timed his effort well to score just three minutes after his introduction!

M. Kean

Goal

72' GOOOAL! Kean makes it 1-0 to Juventus! Chiellini launches a long ball forward from his own half which Mandzukic then flicks into the path of Kean and the substitute half-volleys it into the bottom left-hand corner from just inside the box.

70' Cancelo surges forward from deep and lines up an effort from 20 yards out, but he doesn't strike it with any venom and it is wide of the right-hand post.

M. Kean

B. Matuidi

69' Kean replaces Matuidi in Juventus' second change of the match.

68' Krunic plays a one-two with Caputo to make a break into the box, but Spinazzola is on hand to quell the danger.

66' Matuidi wins a free-kick on the left wing which is delivered into the box by Pjanic, but Chiellini can only steer his stooping header wide of the left-hand post.

65' Spinazzola cuts inside and sees his effort deflected into the path of Cancelo on the right-hand side of the box, but he drills a half-volley wide of the far post.

63' Pjanic's corner is aimed at the back post and it eventually falls in Mandzukic's path, but he volleys it over the bar from a tight angle.

L. Spinazzola

Alex Sandro

61' Juventus make their first change as Allegri calls on Spinazzola to replace Alex Sandro.

60' Pjanic clips a ball into Manduzkic who nods it back to Bernardeschi on the edge of the box, but his half-volleyed effort rises over the bar.

59' Alex Sandro swings another cross into the box from a promising position, but it deflects off Veseli and lands in the hands of Dragowski.

57' Bernardeschi dispossesses Pajac and launches a Juventus break, but his eventual cross is too deep for Mandzukic and it drifts out for a throw-in.

56' Alex Sandro bends in a dangerous cross from the left wing and it is met by the head of Matuidi in the box, but he only manages to steer his effort above the bar.

55' Alex Sandro tees up an attempt from the left-hand side of the box, but he skews his effort well wide.

53' Cancelo clips a clever ball to Can in the box from the right, but Can mistimes his attempted volley and it drifts wide.

52' Bernardeschi is now back on the pitch alongside Empoli's Dell'Orco, who also received treatment following that collision.

51' Bernardeschi is receiving treatment after appearing to injure the back of his head during that effort, but he looks like he will be able to continue.

50' Alex Sandro glides a cross in from left and it is met by the onrushing Bernardeschi, but he flicks it over the bar.

49' Juventus have dominated possession so far in the second half, but are struggling to breach the well-disciplined Empoli defence.

47' CLOSE! Bernardeschi creates space some 25 yards from goal and drills an effort towards the bottom right-hand corner, but Dragowski tips it wide for a corner.

45' The referee blows his whistle and Empoli get us underway for the second half!

Juventus have netted at least three goals in their last four Serie A home games, so it is surprising that they have lacked incision in the final third today. Allegri's side must improve this facet of their game in the second half if they are to make to extend their lead at the top of Serie A.

It remains goalless between the sides at the break, with both sides finding clear-cut chances hard to come by. Empoli enjoyed long spells on the ball throughout the half, but Krunic's effort from the edge of the box was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock. Allegri will be looking for an improvement from his Juventus side who have not been at their best, but they did go close to taking the lead when Mandzukic's header was saved by Dragowski.

45' HALF-TIME: JUVENTUS 0-0 EMPOLI

44' Krunic lays it off to Pajac who lines up an effort from 30 yards out, but it is blocked by Can and bounces out for a throw-in.

42' Farias assesses his options before playing a disguised ball to Caputo in the box, but Can is on hand to quell the danger.

40' Traore tussles with Matuidi near the right-hand corner flag and eventually manages to squeeze a cross into the box, but only as far as Chiellini who clears with ease.

38' Empoli have held their own at the Allianz Stadium so far and recorded 54% possession. The visitors have looked most likely to create the opening goal.

36' Empoli try to break down the Juventus defence by playing it wide to Di Lorenzo, but his pass down the line to Traore drifts out of play for a goal-kick.

34' Farias plays the ball to Krunic in the centre and he takes a touch before launching an effort from well outside the box, but it is just wide of the left-hand post.

33' Cancelo's delivery causes problems for the Empoli defence and it eventually falls to Bentancur, but he fails to bring it under control and the visitors clear.

31' CHANCE! Juventus have their first clear chance as Matuidi's deep cross is met by the rising head of Mandzukic, but his effort is kept out by Dragowski who stooped low to make the save.

29' Juventus have a chance to break forward, but Cancelo's pass to Mandzukic is cut out by Maietta. The Allianz Stadium groans in unison.

27' Cancelo makes a break down the right wing and then lays the ball back to Pjanic, but his pass into the box is weak and easily cleared by Empoli.

25' Empoli string a succession passes together which leads to Traore receiving the ball on the right wing, but his delivery is defended by Chiellini.

23' CLOSE! Krunic collects the ball just inside the Juventus half and drives past Rugani before taking a shot from the edge of the box, but he drags it just wide of the left-hand post.

21' Bentancur has a good chance to cross it in from the right, but his delivery is too deep and evades Mandzukic.

20' Krunic picks it up outside the box and makes a burst forward before firing an effort over the bar from 20 yards out..

19' Pajac's cross from the left is cleared by Chiellini, but Empoli reclaim the ball immediately. The visitors are enjoying a sustained period of possession at the moment.

17' Some neat midfield play from Krunic frees up Traore in the Juventus half, but he fails to find Farias with his through ball.

15' Pajac squeezes a drilled cross into the Juventus box from the left, but there are no Empoli players there to meet it.

14' Bernardeschi clips a testing ball into the box from the right, but Matuidi fails to direct his back-post effort on target.

13' Cancelo slides a ball to Bernardeschi, who looks to turn Dell'Orco in the box, but the defender comes out on top.

11' Pajac wins Empoli a free-kick on the left flank, but the delivery fails to test the Juventus defence and drifts out for a goal-kick.

9' Empoli have their first chance of the match as Farias receives the ball in space on the left-hand side of the Juventus box, but his mistimed effort is deflected wide by Rugani.

8' Juventus toy with the ball on the edge of the box before Bernardeschi eventually crosses it in from the right, but it is claimed by Dragowski.

6' Cancelo glides past Krunic on the right flank and attempts to square the ball across the box, but it is deflected for a corner.

4' Chiellini surges forward from deep and plays it out wide to Matuidi on the left. The Frenchman looks to take on Di Lorenzo, but fouls him in the process.

2' Empoli are deploying a high press early on in this first half. The frontline are not allowing the Juventus defence any time on the ball.

1' The referee blows his whistle and Juventus get us underway!

The players are heading out of the tunnel and we are nearing kick-off at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus have won their last seven league matches against Empoli at home, while the visitors are one of just two sides in Serie A to not win and away game this season. The omens are not positive for the 17th-placed side.

Empoli manager Aurelio Andreazzoli makes just one change to the side that beat Frosinone with Veseli replacing the suspended Matias Silvestre. Antonino La Gumina also misses out for the visitors after failing to recover from an injury suffered earlier this month.

Juventus make four changes to the side that lost to Genoa, with Szczesny, Chiellini, Matuidi and Bernardeschi all moving into the starting line-up. Allegri is without Cristiano Ronaldo who was injured on international duty, while Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado are also ruled out. Paulo Dybala misses out after being injured in the warm-up.

SUBS: Ivan Provedel, Manuel Pasqual, Matteo Brighi, Leonardo Capezzi, Afriyie Acquah, Salih Ucan, Dimitris Nikolaou, Dimitri Oberlin, Luca Antonelli, Filippo Perucchini.

EMPOLI (3-5-2): Bartlomiej Dragowski; Federic Veseli, Cristian Dell’Orco, Domenico Maietta; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Rade Krunic, Hamed Junior Traore, Ismael Bennacer, Marko Pajac; Francesco Caputo, Diego Farias.

SUBS: Mattia Perin, Leonardo Bonucci, Mattia De Sciglio, Moise Kean, Carlo Pinsoglio, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, Martin Caceres, Leonardo Spinazzola.

JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczesny; Joao Cancelo, Daniele Rugani, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Emre Can, Miralem Pjanic, Rodrigo Bentancur; Federico Bernardeschi, Mario Mandzukic, Blaise Matuidi.

Massimiliano Allegri will be looking for a response after Juventus’ 27-match Serie A unbeaten record was ended by Genoa before the international break. Juventus lost 2-0 at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris in their first defeat of the season, but they remain 15 points clear of Napoli at the Serie A summit. Meanwhile, Empoli are battling to remain in Italy’s top-flight and sit just one point above the relegation zone, but they secured a key 2-1 victory over Frosinone last time out.

Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of this Serie A clash between Juventus and Empoli!

Juventus v Empoli Live Commentary, 30/03/2019

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