Empoli vs Juventus - Serie A LIVE: Latest updates as Cristiano Ronaldo scores two goals
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Your support makes all the difference.Juventus will look to get back to winning ways in Serie A when they travel to third-from-bottom Empoli on Saturday evening.
Massimiliano Allegri’s outfit were comfortable winners against Manchester United in the Champions League in midweek but dropped their first points of the season in all competitions last weekend with a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa.
Empoli’s only win of the season came on the opening day against Cagliari, and having lost five of the subsequent eight games, Aurelio Andreazzoli’s side are right up against it as they welcome the champions to Tuscany.
Follow the live action below:
What time does it start?
Empoli vs Juventus kicks off at 5pm.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 2 from 4:50pm. Fans can also watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles. Highlights will be shown at 11:30pm on Eleven Sports 2.
It’s a big game for…
Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese set up Dybala for the winner against his former club but the 33-year-old was not as influential as the United faithful became accustomed to seeing during his time in Manchester. He had a rasping drive expertly saved by David de Gea, but his lack of opportunities in front of goal was out of character for the former Real Madrid man.
Player to watch…
Miralem Pjanic. The Bosnian’s performance at Old Trafford demonstrated to the Manchester United faithful exactly what they are lacking in their midfield. He was composed and easy on the eye throughout the 90 minutes and he ensured the Old Lady kept the ball ticking at all times. Empoli will be in for a tough evening if they let the 28-year-old dictate terms as he did in midweek.
Past three meetings…
Juventus 2 (Skorupski og, Alex Sandro) Empoli 0, Serie A, February 2017
Empoli 0 Juventus 3 (Dybala, Higuain x2), Serie A, October 2016
Juventus 1 (Mandzukic) Empoli 0, Serie A, April 2016
Form guide…
Empoli: LLDLLD
Juventus: WWWWDW
Odds…
Empoli to win: 10/1
Juventus to win: 27/100
Draw: 17/4
34 mins: Got the power but not the accuracy and his free-kick hits the wall and deflects out for a corner...
38 mins: CHANCE!
Alex Sandro once again with space on the left hand side and he swings in a threatening looking ball but most crosses look good when swung towards Cristiano Ronaldo.
The striker leaps like a salmon and beats his defender with ease, powering his header towards goal, but the keeper gather.
Can Juve pull one back before half time?
44 mins: The referee goes to VAR to have a look at whether Empoli are due a penalty but comes to the correct call that Bonucci's hand was in a natural position when it touched the ball.
Juventus continue to probe and almost force an own goal.
45+2 mins: Another yellow card for Juventus breaking up a counter attack and this time Bentancur sees the referee's cautionary card.
HALF TIME: EMPOLI 1-0 JUVENTUS
Extraordinary half here as the underdogs struck just before the half-hour mark and have produced some rearguard action to reduce Juventus to half chances.
Obviously Juventus possess a lot of talent and will surely improve in the second half but the counter attacking prospects of Caputo and Acquah mean the Old Lady will have to be on guard.
And here is the goalscorer celebrating the unlikely lead against the champions.
Empoli haven't beaten I Bianconeri in Serie A since April 1999 but they have been more than a match for the league leaders so far.
That run stretches 14 games and counting.
Can they hang on?
Keep up to date with all the second half action here.
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