Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic (L) scores his second goal during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Empoli in Empoli, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
ROME, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Juventus ended its winless run on Saturday, as Dusan Vlahovic's brace helped the Old Lady beat Empoli 3-2 away in Serie A.
Juve played out three consecutive 1-1 draws between domestic league and Champions League and needed a win to solid its fourth-place on the table.
After a run of play, Juve broke the deadlock in the 31st minute as Adrien Rabiot rolled across from the left and Moise Kean steered his header into the net undisturbed.
The home side got back on level terms in the 38th minute when Szymon Zurkowski found the net in chaos, before Juve restored the lead with a Vlahovic's dummy in the box.
Juve enlarged the margin in the 65th minute, when Alvaro Morata's dribbling drew out the defenders, and Vlahovic collected the ball to dink over an on-rushing goalkeeper.
Empoli pulled one goal back again in the 75th minute when Andrea La Mantia whipped it in. And the 30-year-old still had the chance to equalize, but only saw his strike from close range inches wide of the post.
With the win, Juve ranks fifth with 50 points, 6 points ahead of fifth-placed Atalanta who has two games in hand.
Also on Saturday, Gregoire Defrel's header in the dying minute helped Sassuolo edge past 10-man Fiorentina 2-1, while Salernitana shared the spoils with Bologna at 1-1. ■
Juventus' Moise Kean (R) vies with Empoli's Szymon Zurkowski during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Empoli in Empoli, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Matthijs De Ligt (back) vies with Empoli's Szymon Zurkowski during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Empoli in Empoli, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic (2nd R) scores his goal during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Empoli in Empoli, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci (R) vies with Empoli's Andrea Pinamonti during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Empoli in Empoli, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic celebrates his goal during a Serie A football match between Juventus and Empoli in Empoli, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Federico Tardito/Xinhua)
