Mario Mandzukic scored a trademark first-half header as Juventus defeated Empoli 1-0 on Saturday to provisionally extend their lead at the top of Serie A to six points.
Mandzukic netted in the 44th minute by heading home his first goal since the New Year following Paul Pogba’s delightful chipped pass.
Juve have 73 points from 31 matches, and while second-placed SSC Napoli had the opportunity to cut their lead to three points with a win at relegation-threatened Udinese yesterday, Massimiliano Allegri’s side remain on course for a record fifth consecutive Scudetto.
“It is an important victory for us. We need to keep racking up the points because Napoli are not giving in,” Allegri said.
Empoli, who had not won in 11 games before Saturday’s match, should have taken the lead in the 14th minute, but Riccardo Saponara blazed his shot over the bar from close range.
Mandzukic forced a smart save from Lukasz Skorupski soon after, before the impressive Alvaro Morata rattled the crossbar with a curling effort from outside the area in the 22nd minute.
Juve were frustrated in their attempts to extend their lead, with Skorupski saving from substitutes Kwadwo Asamoah and Simone Zaza in stoppage time, although Mandzukic’s hallmark header proved enough to ensure a 20th victory in 21 Serie A games.
“It was important tonight that we got some players back from injury and earned three precious points,” Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio said. “This is the final push, there are no more breaks or distractions. We just need to power through for the Scudetto.”
Empoli are 11th with 36 points after 31 matches.
Seventh-placed US Sassuolo won 3-1 against struggling Carpi in Saturday’s early kickoff to move onto 48 points.
SS Lazio were set to face AS Roma yesterday, while Torino traveled to Inter.
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