JUVE OWE WIN TO RONALDO
Star scores a brace as Old Lady overcome battling Empoli
CRISTIANO Ronaldo struck twice, including a thunderous 25-yard drive, as Italian champions Juventus surged seven points clear in Serie A on Saturday following a battling 2-1 victory at Empoli.
Empoli, without a win since the opening weekend of the season, grabbed a 28th-minute lead at the Stadio Carlo Castellani as Francesco Caputo curled home following a lung-busting run by Afriyie Acquah.
But Juventus turned to their star Ronaldo in the second half, as he equalised from the spot before blasting home a magnificent second to secure a ninth win in 10 Serie A matches for Massimiliano Allegri’s team.
“It was a very complicated game. We knew it would be difficult, especially after a Champions League tie and we were a bit tired,” Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia. “We stayed in the game, increased our possession, created more chances after the break and in the end deserved the victory.
“I don’t remember the goal very well, I’ll have to watch it again! It all happened very quickly, but I felt confident and I went for the goal.”
After last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Genoa, Ronaldo completed a much more successful week for Juve as he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left corner 20 minutes from time.
“I told the lads, this was a game we had to win, it didn’t matter how well or badly we played,” Allegri said. “The goal was a moment of magic from an extraordinary player and it’s something kids will try to copy in the schoolyard.”
An own goal by Fiorentina goalkeeper Alban Lafont allowed Torino to make it five games without defeat following a 1-1 draw, while Atalanta collected a second win on the trot as they beat promoted Parma 3-0.
Second-place Napoli can return to within four points of Juve when they hosted Roma late yesterday, and Inter Milan will bid for a sixth straight league victory at Lazio today.