Juve defeats Lecce to keep top-four hope alive

Juventus secured a 2-1 home victory over Lecce, to boost their hope of finishing in the top-four spot.

The Old Ladies scored twice in the first half to earn the victory over relegation-threatened Lecce, extending Igor Tudor’s unbeaten start.

Goals from Teun Koopmeiners and Kenan Yildiz gave the hosts the win, with Lecce pulling a consolation goal late on.

Juventus were fully in control in the first half, setting the tone with an early opener. Koopmeiners gave them the lead in the second minute, with a low strike inside the far post after been teed up by Dusan Vlahovic.

Vlahovic and Renato Veiga had chances in quick succession to extend the lead, but it was blocked by the visitors’ defenders.

However, Tudor’s side got their second as Yildiz scored in the 33rd minute with an effort into the bottom corner.

Vlahovic, who assisted both goals had an excellent opportunity to make it 3-0 after the break. But the Serbian was beaten to ball by Wladimiro Falcone before he could shoot from close range.

The visitors later halved the scoreline with an effort in the 87th minute. Federico Baschirotto nodded home a powerful header from a free-kick, but the goal could only count as a consolation.

Lecce are now winless in nine games, leaving them two points above the relegation zone.

Juventus, meanwhile, moved up to third in Serie A, leapfrogging Atalanta, who faces Bologna on Sunday.