Wed May 31, 2023 11:54 am
Dusan Vlahovics fine volley saw Juventus end a five-game winle s run with a 2-1 victory over Lecce in Serie A, boosting the Bianconeris hopes of Champions League qualification. Vlahovic fired home on the turn to hand Ma similiano Allegris men their first league win since April 1, deciding an entertaining contest at the Allianz Stadium.Leandro Paredes had earlier seen his terrific free-kick cancelled out by A san Ceesays penalty, while both teams had goals disallowed for offside in an open first half.While Lecce continued to test the Bianconeri backline after the break, Vlahovics first league goal since February 7 ultimately proved decisive, piling the pre sure on Juves rivals in a fascinating battle for a top-four finish. Juve survived an Kevin Byard Jersey early scare as Ceesay was caught offside when tapping home, but the Bianconeri hit the front in spectacular fashion after 15 minutes, Paredes bending his free-kick around the wall and into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards out.Fabio Miretti thought he had his first senior goal 10 minutes later as he volleyed Nicolo Fagiolis dinked pa s home, but a VAR review saw the Juve youngster ruled offside.Juve then suffered two further blows as they lost Mattia De Sciglio to a serious-looking knee injury before Danilos clumsy Wesley Woodyard Jersey handball allowed Ceesay to level from the penalty spot.However, Lecce were level for just three minutes as Vlahovic spun on Filip Kostics left-wing cro s, finding the bottom-left corner from near the edge of the area.Miretti was guilty of a glaring mi s when he prodded wide after the interval, before Danilo crashed a header against the right-hand post.Wojciech Szczesnys reflex save denied Ceesay as Lecce threatened another equaliser, but Juve stood firm to leapfrog Lazio into second, ahead of their game against Sa suolo later on Wednesday. What does it mean? Bianconeri stop the rotWhen Juventus saw their 15-point deduction suspended and were propelled into third in Serie A recently, the Bianconeri looked destined to ease to a top-four finish in the seasons closing weeks.However, a return of just one point from their previous four league games saw Allegris men enter Wednesdays match under huge pre sure.A timely end to Vlahovics goal drought helped them get back to winning ways, but with a trip to Atalanta and a Europa League semi-final tu sle with Sevilla on the horizon, Juve need to build on this result.Vlahovic ends long waitVlahovic has endured a frustrating first full campaign in Turin. The Serbia international hit the net 24 times in Serie A last term, but the winner here was just his ninth league Rodger Saffold Jersey goal this season.After netting the second of two goals against Salernitana in February, Vlahovic was made to wait 773 minutes of action for his next Serie A strike. Juves top-four hopes could hinge on an uplift in his form.Paredes pulls the strings Paredes brilliant opener represented Juventus fourth direct free-kick goal of the Serie A season more than any other team has managed in the top five European leagues.The Argentina international was also crucial in open play, creating a team-high three chances for a Bianconeri side often accused of lacking inspiration. Key Opta facts Juventus have won five of their last six home games in Serie A (L1). Since the beginning of February, only Sa suolo and Roma (both 16) have earned DaQuan Jones Jersey more home points than the Bianconeri in the top flight. Lecce attempted 14 shots in Wednesdays game. Since Opta began collecting this data in 2004-05, the Salentini have only matched that tally on one other Serie A trip to Juventus (also managing 14 in April 2005). Paredes has scored four direct free-kick goals in the top five European leagues, with Wednesdays effort his third in Serie A. His last free-kick goal came for Paris Saint-Germain in April 2021 (v Strasbourg in Ligue 1). Vlahovic is one of just two players born since January 1, 2000 to have already scored 60 goals in the top five European leagues. Erling Haaland is the other, with 96. And Vlahovic has also scored 12 goals in his last 13 games against newly promoted sides in Serie A. Ceesay has scored three of his six league goals this season against teams currently inside Serie As top seven, in Nate Davis Jersey Juventus, Inter and Atalanta.Whats next? Juventus travel to Atalanta for their next Serie A fixture on Sunday, while Lecce face a relegation six-pointer against Verona on the same day.