Dusan Vlahovic scored after just 12 seconds as Juventus defeated Lecce 1-0 at the Via del Mare, strengthening their hold on third place in Serie A Matchday 36.
Juventus took another major step toward Champions League qualification on Saturday thanks to an explosive start from Dusan Vlahovic, whose early strike proved enough to secure a narrow but valuable 1-0 victory over Lecce.
The Bianconeri needed only 12 seconds to break the deadlock. Andrea Cambiaso quickly launched the attack before Vlahovic slipped between Lecce’s central defenders and finished clinically past Wladimiro Falcone from close range.
It was the perfect beginning for Luciano Spalletti’s side, who controlled large stretches of the first half and repeatedly threatened to extend their lead.
Lecce attempted to respond through Walid Cheddira, but Michele Di Gregorio produced an important save to preserve Juventus’ advantage. Francisco Conceição then came close to doubling the score when his effort crashed against the post following another dangerous Juventus transition.
Vlahovic remained at the center of the action throughout the evening. The Serbian striker nearly grabbed a second goal on multiple occasions and also had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half after converting from another Cambiaso delivery.
Juventus thought they had found a second goal again when Pierre Kalulu scored from close range, but that effort was also ruled out due to an offside position in the buildup.
Kenan Yildiz, clearly not at full fitness, struggled to influence the match consistently, though he did produce one dangerous attempt midway through the second half that drifted wide of the far post.
Lecce increased the pressure late in the game as they searched desperately for an equalizer that could boost their survival hopes. N’Dri and Pierotti both forced Di Gregorio into alert interventions, but Juventus held firm defensively to secure all three points.
The victory temporarily moves Juventus into third place while Lecce remain dangerously close to the relegation zone with only two matches left to play.
Match Report
Lecce 0-1 Juventus
Scorers:
1’ Vlahovic (Juventus)
Lecce (4-3-3)
Falcone; Veiga (70’ Helgason), Siebert, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani, Ngom (62’ Jean); Pierotti, Cheddira (75’ Camarda), Banda (75’ N’Dri)
Head Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco
Juventus (4-2-3-1)
Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso (83’ David); Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceição (83’ Zhegrova), McKennie (86’ Gatti), Yildiz (83’ Boga); Vlahovic (76’ Holm)
Head Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Referee: Colombo
Yellow Cards: Conceição, Jean
Red Cards: None
