Misfiring Juve held to goalless draw at Empoli
ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images
Juventus were held to a 0-0 Serie A draw at Empoli on Saturday as Thiago Motta’s side dropped more points after their goalless home stalemate against Roma before the international break.
Juve struggled in attack and often resembled the side who managed one shot on target against Roma two weeks ago, while Empoli pressed high and did not allow them to take control.
Federico Gatti was close to netting with a header for Juve following a corner late in the first half but Empoli’s Devis Vasquez pulled off a great save before keeping out attempts by Dusan Vlahovic and Teun Koopmeiners after the break.
Juventus moved provisionally top of the table with eight points from four games with several of their rivals playing later in the weekend. Empoli are seventh on six points.
Motta was not happy with his side’s attacking efforts in the draw.
“We barely got to the point of making the cross we wanted to make,” Motta told a post-match news conference.
“It’s one thing to do it from behind and another to get to a dangerous area to do it. It’s not easy with a team that defends like Empoli, we had difficulties.
“[But] not only Dusan [Vlahovic] has to fill the penalty area … We definitely have to improve on the sides and get to feed our attacker and those who come from behind.”
