JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczesny, Gatti, Bremer, Alex Sandro, Cambiaso (subbed for Iling-Junior), McKennie, Locatelli, Miretti (subbed for Weah), Kostic (subbed for Yildiz), Vlahovic, Milik

Bench: Pinsoglio, Perin, Danilo, Rugani, Nicolussi Caviglia, Nonge Boende

Goals: Vlahovic 50’

EMPOLI starting XI (3-5-2): Caprile, Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Gyasi, Zurkowski (subbed for Fazzini), Grassi (subbed for Cancellieri), Maleh, Cacace, Cerri (subbed for Baldanzi), Cambiaghi (subbed for Marin)

Bench: Perisan, Berisha, Goglichidze, Pezzella, Shpendi, Bereszynski, Fazzini, Indragoli

Goals: Baldanzi 70’

Milik was sent off in the 18th minute on Saturday (local time) as Massimiliano Allegri’s team face the prospect of losing the Serie A lead.

The Bianconeri inched two points clear of second-placed Inter Milan, but the Nerrazzurri have played two matches fewer.

Milik will also be suspended when Juventus go to Inter next weekend.

Dusan Vlahovic gave 10-man Juventus the lead early in the second half with his sixth goal in four league matches, but substitute Tommaso Baldanzi levelled to help Empoli inch to within a point of safety.

It was another impressive result for Empoli following last week’s 3-0 win over Monza in new coach Davide Nicola’s debut.

Juventus were looking for an eighth straight win to move four points clear of Inter, albeit having played two matches more than the Nerazzurri.

Milik was somewhat of a surprise starter, having started just four previous league matches this season and it was perhaps a desire to prove what he could do that contributed to a moment of madness early on.

Trying to atone for a poor first touch that had seen him lose the ball, Milik went sliding in on Alberto Cerri, catching the Empoli forward on his ankle.

Milik was initially shown a yellow card, but, after reviewing the incident on a pitch-side monitor, the referee changed the card to red.

It was 10-man Juventus who took the lead five minutes after the break when a corner was flicked down by Federico Gatti, ricocheted off Empoli defender Ardian Ismajli and came to Vlahovic to net his 12th goal of the season.

However, Empoli levelled when Sebastiano Luperto rolled the ball across just outside the area and Baldanzi drilled it into the bottom right corner.

AAP

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