Empoli inches closer to safety with a late equalizer; Juventus faces Serie A uncertainty
Juventus faced a setback in their Serie A campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Empoli on Saturday. The match took a dramatic turn in the 18th minute when Arkadiusz Milik received a red card, leaving Massimiliano Allegri’s side vulnerable. This unexpected result has put Juventus’ Serie A lead at risk, with the team now just two points ahead of second-placed Inter, who have played two matches less.
Milik’s early departure proved costly for Juventus, as the team will also miss the striker when they face Inter next weekend. The Bianconeri were aiming for their eighth consecutive win to secure a four-point lead over Inter, but Milik’s red card disrupted their plans.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Juventus managed to take the lead early in the second half, courtesy of Dušan Vlahović’s sixth goal in four league matches. However, Empoli fought back, and substitute Tommaso Baldanzi leveled the score, helping his team inch within a point of safety.
Empoli’s impressive performance follows their 3-0 win over Monza last week in new coach David Nicola’s debut. The draw against Juventus adds another feather to Empoli’s cap as they continue their battle against relegation.
Milik’s inclusion in the starting lineup was unexpected, given his limited appearances in previous league matches this season. The striker’s moment of madness, a reckless challenge on Alberto Cerri, led to his early dismissal. Initially shown a yellow card, Milik’s fate changed to red after a VAR review, leaving Juventus with a numerical disadvantage for most of the game.
Despite Empoli creating opportunities and forcing saves from Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, the Bianconeri had a chance to extend their lead just before halftime. However, Fabio Miretti’s shot from a tricky angle sailed over the bar, denying Juventus a crucial advantage.
The turning point came five minutes into the second half when a corner flicked down by Federico Gatti resulted in a fortuitous goal for Vlahović. Empoli responded with determination, and Baldanzi’s precise strike outside the area secured the equalizer.
Looking ahead, Juventus faces uncertainty in maintaining their Serie A lead, especially with Inter having played fewer matches and upcoming fixtures against tough opponents. The fight for the Serie A title intensifies as the gap between the top teams narrows.
In other Serie A action, AC Milan, currently in third place, hosted Bologna later in the day.
Meanwhile, Atalanta continued their push for a spot in next season’s Champions League with a comfortable 2-0 win over Udinese. Charles De Ketelaere played a key role in setting up both first-half goals for Aleksey Miranchuk and Gianluca Scamacca. Atalanta’s fifth straight home win propelled them into fourth place, maintaining a two-point lead over Fiorentina and a three-point advantage over Lazio. Udinese, on the other hand, remains just a point above the relegation zone, highlighting the competitive nature of the Serie A fight for positions.
