Juventus returns in weekend clash against Empoli.
Empoli F.C. welcome Juventus F.C. to the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Saturday as they aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against a Juve side looking to reclaim top spot in Serie A.
Empoli
Empoli are enjoying a decent start to the 2024-2025 Serie A campaign under new manager Roberto D'Aversa, following his appointment in July. The Azzurri have remained unbeaten in the first three games of a Serie A season for only the second time in club history, with one win and two draws (1W, 2D, 0L).
Following an upset 2-1 win over Roma on matchday 2, Empoli drew 1-1 with Bologna before the international break. The opening minutes of the game against Bologna proved decisive, as Emmanuel Gyasi (3’) restored parity just one minute after Empoli conceded from a corner barely 90 seconds into the game.
The scoreline would then remain unchanged for the rest of the match, despite both teams coming close to getting a second goal on different occasions.
Currently in seventh position, one point behind sixth-placed Napoli, D'Aversa’s men will now reconvene in front of their home crowd against Juventus. They hope to get the needed support as they go in search of their first home win of the Serie A campaign. The Blues picked up a 1-1 draw against Juve last time out.
While a win against Juventus remains highly unlikely, only once have Empoli gone two straight games without defeat against the Old Lady. However, an impressive run of form on home turf, which has seen the hosts win three of their last five home league games, could serve as a source of inspiration going into this weekend’s encounter.
A 3-4-2-1 formation is expected against Juventus, with Lorenzo Colombo in attack.
Juventus
Meanwhile, Juventus saw their perfect start to the Serie A season come to an end after settling for a goalless draw against Roma at the Allianz Stadium. "I think the result was fair," Thiago Motta told reporters. "There are many things we can improve to raise the level against good opponents," he added.
The draw saw the Old Lady slip to second place, tied on points with table-topping Inter Milan, who have scored more goals. Back from a two-week hiatus, Juventus will now aim to get back to winning ways when they travel to Empoli this weekend.
The visitors have enjoyed dominance in this fixture, winning six of their last seven league games against Empoli. Yet to concede a goal so far in this campaign, Motta’s side could keep a clean sheet in their first four games of the Serie A season for only the fifth time in club history.
Dušan Vlahović is expected to start in attack when Motta lays out the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Meanwhile, new signing Francisco Conceição is sidelined till early October due to a muscle injury.
Team form
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