Juventus 1-1 Empoli: Ten-man Juve held to stalemate by struggling visitors

Juventus squandered an opportunity to extend their lead over second-placed Inter Milan when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Empoli in Serie A on Saturday, despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men.

Dusan Vlahovic put Juventus ahead in the 50th minute, scoring from close range after a corner, before Empoli midfielder Tommaso Baldanzi leveled 20 minutes later with a low shot from distance.

Juventus lead the standings with 53 points from 22 games, two more than Inter, who have two games in hand.

Inter, who won their third consecutive Italian Super Cup with a 1-0 victory over Napoli in Saudi Arabia on Monday, can reclaim first place on Sunday when they visit fifth-placed Fiorentina.

Juve started poorly and were reduced to ten men in the 18th minute when striker Arkadiusz Milik was sent off for a foul on Empoli forward Alberto Cerri, with the referee overturning his initial decision to book the Pole after a VAR review.

Juve remained unbeaten in 17 league matches, with only their fourth draw in that span.

The hosts, who didn't create many chances in the first half, should have taken the lead just before the break when midfielder Fabio Miretti shot over the crossbar.

Vlahovic opened the scoring for Juve five minutes into the second half, his sixth goal in the last four league games.

Empoli could have equalised in the 68th minute, but Matteo Cancellieri's close-range header went just wide, before substitute Baldanzi scored two minutes later.

Empoli, who are playing their second game under new coach Davide Nicola after sacking Aurelio Andreazzoli, are second from bottom in the standings with 17 points.

Atalanta climbed to fourth place on Saturday after defeating Udinese 2-0 at home.

SportsLigue