Juventus held at Empoli ahead of Champions League return

Thiago Motta's side took temporary lead of the Italian top flight, one point ahead of Inter Milan, Torino and Udinese, who are all yet to play this weekend. But Juventus underwhelmed in Tuscany, creating very little in a performance that offered little to worry PSV Eindhoven, who visit Turin on Tuesday evening.

Dusan Vlahovic went closest for Juventus four minutes after half-time when he shot straight at Devis Vasquez after being sent racing towards goal. And Juventus had Federico Gatti to thank for a goal-saving tackle in the fifth minute of stoppage time which denied Emmanuel Gyasi what would have been a stunning winner.

"Let's put this match behind us and focus on Tuesday. PSV are a good team who play good football, we'll need to be at our best," said Motta. Juventus will take part in the revamped Champions League after a year away from European football following a UEFA ban for financial fair play violations. Earlier debutant Samuel Iling-Junior saved Bologna ahead of their first ever match in the Champions League with the late equaliser in their 2-2 draw at Como.

Substitute Iling-Junior struck a brilliant curling finish in the first minute of stoppage time of an exciting game at Como, who were playing their first top-flight home match in 21 years. Bologna played one tie in the old European Cup in 1964 and host Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday without a win this season under new coach Vincenzo Italiano.

"We need to be better, we've been too sloppy in our first four matches," Italiano told reporters."We've not been together for very long and we know where we need to improve." Italiano's team, who also netted through Santiago Castro, have three points from their first four matches while Como have two after throwing away a great chance to win at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.

Patrick Cutrone, who forced Nicolo Casale's early own goal, looked to have won the match for his hometown team Como in the 53rd minute when he rammed in hosts' second. Cutrone, 26, was born in Como and signed for the ambitious lakeside outfit - owned by tobacco giant Djarum - two years ago when they were still in Serie B.

Como had played their first three matches of the campaign away from home to give the club time to increase the Sinigaglia's capacity to around 10,500 places and bring it in line with Serie A regulations. Later AC Milan host Venezia ahead of their clash with Liverpool in the Champions League.

 

September 14, 2024