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Ronaldo rocket gives Juventus scrappy win at Empoli
MILAN, Oct 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice, including a
thunderous 25-yard drive, as Italian champions Juventus surged seven points
clear in Serie A on Saturday following a battling 2-1 victory at Empoli.
Empoli, without a win since the opening weekend of the season, grabbed a
28th-minute lead at the Stadio Carlo Castellani as Francesco Caputo curled
home following a lung-busting run by Afriyie Acquah.
But Juventus turned to their 100-million-euro man Ronaldo in the second
half, as the Portugal forward equalised from the spot before blasting home a
magnificent second to secure a ninth win in 10 Serie A matches for
Massimiliano Allegri’s team.
“It was a very complicated game. We knew it would be difficult, especially
after a Champions League tie and we were a bit tired,” Ronaldo told Sky Sport
Italia.
“We stayed in the game, increased our possession, created more chances
after the break and in the end deserved the victory.
“I don’t remember the goal very well, I’ll have to watch it again! It all
happened very quickly, but I felt confident and I went for the goal.”
After Caputo’s opener, the hosts appealed for a penalty when Miha Zajc’s
shot glanced the arm of Leonardo Bonucci as he attempted to charge down the
attempt, but the referee opted against punishing the Italy defender after
reviewing the incident on video.
Empoli goalkeeper Ivan Provedel pulled off two spectacular saves in quick
succession to thwart Alex Sandro and Miralem Pjanic early in the second half,
as Juventus — who beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in midweek —
saw their unbeaten record come under threat.
Provedel flung himself in front of a firmly-hit effort by Sandro from close
range, and then sprang acrobatically to his right to touch a Pjanic drive
onto the crossbar as Empoli failed to clear after the initial attack.
– ‘Moment of magic’ –
But Juve hit back when Paulo Dybala pinched the ball off a dallying Ismael
Bennacer in the Empoli box, drawing a penalty as the Algeria midfielder
proceeded to bundle over the Argentine.
Ronaldo sent Provedel the wrong way from the spot to score for the third
league game running and bring Juve level on 54 minutes, as the turmoil of
rape allegations do not appear to be unsettling the Portuguese forward on the
pitch.
After last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Genoa, Ronaldo completed a much more
successful week for Juve as he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top
left corner 20 minutes from time.
“I told the lads, this was a game we had to win, it didn’t matter how well
or badly we played,” said Allegri.
“The goal was a moment of magic from an extraordinary player and it’s
something kids will try to copy in the schoolyard.”
An own goal by Fiorentina goalkeeper Alban Lafont allowed Torino to make it
five games without defeat following a 1-1 draw, while Atalanta collected a
second win on the trot as they beat promoted Parma 3-0.
Second-place Napoli can return to within four points of Juve on Sunday when
they host Roma, and Inter Milan will bid for a sixth straight league victory
at Lazio on Monday.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0951 hrs