Juventus unbeaten streak boosts top-four hopes
Juventus scored twice in the first half to secure a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Lecce in Serie A, continuing Igor Tudor's unbeaten start to life with the Old Lady.
Teun Koopmeiners and Kenan Yildiz scored the goals for the hosts, with Lecce pulling a goal back late on, although it proved only a consolation as Juventus extended its unbeaten streak to three games to keep its top-four hopes alive.
Juventus was fully in control in the first half, with Koopmeiners setting the tone with his early opener. He scored with a low strike inside the far post after Dusan Vlahovic released him into the box with a neat pass.
Vlahovic and Renato Veiga had chances blocked in quick succession as Juve stormed Lecce's goal before Yildiz doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with an effort into the bottom corner after a sweeping Juve move.
The Serbian striker, who also set up Yildiz's goal, had an excellent opportunity to make it 3-0 after the break, but Wladimiro Falcone beat him to the ball before he could shoot from close range.
Juventus took its foot off the pedal in the second half, and Lecce set up a nervy ending at Allianz Stadium when Federico Baschirotto nodded home a powerful header from a free-kick with three minutes remaining.
Lecce could not find a late equaliser, though, as its winless run extended to nine games, leaving it two points above the relegation zone.
Juventus, meanwhile, moved up to third in Serie A, leapfrogging Atalanta, which plays against Bologna later on Sunday.
