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
65 mins: Finally! Bernardeschi, who's had a disappointing game, is replaced by the former Chelsea man.
66 mins: Krunic' shot is deflected towards goal but the deep defensive Juventus line deals with the danger.
69 mins: EMPOLI 1-2 JUVENTUS
RONALDO SCORES AGAIN AND WHAT A GOAL!
The Portuguese striker receives the ball 30 yards from goal, touches it a couple of inches in front of himself and leathers it.
The ball bends and moves and flashes into the top corner and there's no controversy about this one.
Juventus came out in the second half with a higher tempo and have been forced to perform magic and that's what Ronaldo is there for.
His sixth goal of the season was important.
His seventh was special.
And here is that wonder striker which has given Juventus the lead with 15 minutes left on the clock:
77 mins: Juventus are just passing the ball around with ease now but I imagine Cristiano is desperate for the hattrick.
Sat on a brace at the moment.
78 mins: Dybala goes in to the book for a petulant foul after losing the ball.
79 mins: Wasted chance for Empoli whose free-kick is safely gathered by Szczesny but an even bigger chance to secure the game for Juventus as Cuadrado is bearing down on goal.
He's looking to find Ronaldo all the time rather than concentrating on scoring alone and the move breaks down.
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