Juventus managed their first run of consecutive victories for 2015-16 after overcoming a 1-0 deficit to record a 3-1 win away to Empoli on Sunday.
Massimo Maccarone opened the scoring for the hosts with a long-range shot into the bottom left corner, but it was long until Juventus levelled things up.
Mario Mandzukic equalised with a low strike to make it 1-1 13 minutes after Juve fell behind. Minutes later, veteran defender Patrice Evra scored with a brilliant header, putting Juventus 2-1 ahead.
Late substitute Paulo Dybala rounded off the scoring with a poacher’s finish to end the game at 3-1 and move Juventus nine points off table-toppers Fiorentina.
Alvaro Morata will continue to be frustrated playing on the wing
The young Spaniard displays some of the characteristics needed to play on the wing, however it is clear his best position is playing centrally. Right now, Morata cuts a frustrated figure. Only when Max Allegri pushes Morata back into the middle is when the results will start to come. Allegri needs to set his team up in a way that plays to his best players’ strengths and on his day, Morata is arguably the team’s best finisher.
Claudio Marchisio’s bumpy start to the season
He has only been back for a few games and it is too early to heap too much criticism on Claudio Marchiso. However it is clear he has not enjoyed the best of starts alongside new midfield partner Sami Khedira. If Juventus are to challenge for the title, Marchisio will be integral. Possibly Juve’s second-best player behind Carlos Tevez last season, Marchisio led the midfield superbly and enjoyed the best season of his career. Marchisio cannot be completely to blame though, given Juventus’ rough start to the season and how tough they have found it trying to control the midfield battle. It could take time for Marchisio to find his stride in midfield and for the reigning champions to display the same kind of winning swagger we have seen so often over the previous four campaigns.
Are Juventus really back?
The result may look like a comfortable one for Juventus, but they did not have it all their way in terms of play with Empoli even having more shots on target. The reigning champions seemed to again struggle to wrestle the bulk of play their way and were not overly impressive. Perhaps this is a new Juventus we are going to need to get used to; perhaps we cannot expect to see much of what we have become accustomed to in terms of confident performances and goals from all over the pitch. The next month will be telling for Juventus with games against AC Milan, Manchester City and Sevilla.
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