After a scoreless draw against Roma on the stroke of September’s international break, Juventus stuttered against on Saturday. This time, Tuscan minnows Empoli held the Bianconeri scoreless in a tepid contest at Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Buoyed by a raft of top-class summer signings, Juventus headed to Tuscany with great expectations. However, Thiago Motta’s men delivered another erratic attacking performance, failing to score in an away league match against Empoli for the first time since 2008.
Despite enjoying 66% ball possession, Juventus made only three attempts on target and failed to create enough scoring chances against below-par opposition. Such an underwhelming showing drew harsh criticism from the Italian media. Calciomercato’s report pointed at Juve’s uneventful approach in the front third.
“After the one at home with Roma, Juventus collects another in Empoli. Motta’s Bianconeri provide a disappointing performance at Castellani-Computer Gross and stumble into another misstep.
“The goals conceded remain zero, but this time, Juventus created little and did not break through. Vlahovic and his teammates climb to the top of the table alone but could be overtaken tomorrow by the other leaders, including Inter.“
Juventus faced Empoli with a star-studded frontline. Marquee summer arrivals Teun Koopmeiners and Nicolas Gonzalez lined up behind Dusan Vlahovic. But the formidable trio failed to put Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez to a proper test.
Instead, Federico Gatti’s header from a set-piece situation was the closest Juventus got to breaking Empoli’s defense. It was ominously similar to their performances under former boss Massimiliano Allegri.
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