Juventus made hard work of it but eventually overcame Empoli thanks to goals from Federico Chiesa and Danilo.
Empoli
Berisha: Wonderful debut for Empoli, including saving a penalty from Vlahovic. 6.0/10
Bereszynski: Good work to deny Chiesa an early chance, picked up an unfair booking for a challenge on Kostic. 6.0/10
Walukiewicz: The better of the centre-back pairing. 5.5/10
Luperto: 5.0/10
Pezzella: Did well against Rabiot in the early stages. Excellent block to deny McKennie 6.0/10
Maleh: 4.5/10
Marin: 5.0/10
Fazzini: Had a half-chance with an overhead that he might have done better on. Bright. 5.5/10
Baldanzi: Another bright display from the youngster, always looking for the ball, lively. 5.5/10
Cambiaghi: Kept getting into the wide positions to fire in crosses that tested Juve at times. 6.5/10
Caputo: Had a tough night trying to lead the line by himself. 5.5/10
Substitutions:
Grassi: 5.0/10
Cancellieri: 5.0/10
Destro: N/A
Kovalenko: N/A
Juventus
Perin: Barely a save to make. 6.0/10
Gatti: Came in for Sandro and made a telling contribution winning the penalty. Reliable. 6.0/10
Bremer: A few wayward clearances, but overall, he was solid again. 6.0/10
Danilo: In the right place at the right time to open the scoring from close range. Led the back line very well. 7.0/10
McKennie: Put in a decent shift on the right flank, tracking back well and offering some attacking threat. 6.0/10
Miretti: Played some really smart passes at times, including one to release Chiesa. 6.0/10
Locatelli: Picked up an early booking when he looked to have gotten the ball. Trod a fine line thereafter. 6.0/10
Rabiot: Broke well in a 4 v 4 and dwelled too long on the ball. Solid at both ends thereafter without being spectacular. 6.0/10
Kostic: Back in the starting XI – did well on some counters, just lacking the final ball. 6.0/10
Vlahovic: Forced a good save from Berisha in the first few minutes before firing a flicked header just wide. Hit a half-shot early that went just wide of the far post. Looked certain to convert from the spot…..but denied by a great stop. Played in Pogba for a decent effort. A frustrating night, but he was in the right positions. 6.0/10
Chiesa: Played in some decent balls to Vlahovic – Had a decent half chance that he probably should have done better with. Made a brilliant run across the pitch and score that second goal. Showed real determination. 7.5/10
Substitutions:
Pogba: Had the ball in the net with a lovely finish….but for a tight offside call. 6.0/10
Cambiaso: Instant injection of pace, had a good shot on goal that Berisha had to claim. 6.0/10
Milik: Great 1-2 with Chiesa for the second goal and should have scored a third to seal it. 6.5/10
Weah: N/A
Kean: Came very close to adding a third. 5.5/10
