Juventus 2-1 Lecce: Hosts stretch unbeaten streak to boost 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.

Teun Koopmeiners and Kenan Yildiz scored the goals for the hosts, with Lecce pulling a goal back late on, though it proved only a consolation as Juventus extended their unbeaten streak to three games to keep their top-four hopes alive.

Juventus were fully in control in the first half on Saturday, 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 .

Vlahovic and Renato Veiga had chances blocked in quick succession as Juve stormed Lecce’s goal before Yildiz doubled their lead in the 33rd minute with an effort into the bottom corner.

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 their foot off the gas in the second half, and Lecce set up a nervy ending at the 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 their winless run extended to nine games, leaving them two points above the relegation zone. Juventus, meanwhile, moved up to third in Serie A, leapfrogging Atalanta, who play on Sunday.

FT | | points in the bag!

@EASPORTSFC#JuveLecce pic.twitter.com/tu9RHLAzn9

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 12, 2025

Data Debrief: Tudor reignites top-four hopes

Tudor has made an impact since stepping in to replace Thiago Motta and ensured that Juventus did not slip up in the race for the top four, with the chasing pack closing in.

This was a landmark victory for Juve, too. It was their 200th at the Allianz Stadium in Serie A; since their debut season at this stadium (2011-12), the Bianconeri are the first team to achieve this milestone at home in the competition (followed by Napoli at 168).

Vlahovic played a pivotal role in making it happen. He has not scored since February 23, but he orchestrated both goals on Saturday.

He has now equalled his single-season record for assists in Serie A (four, also in 2023-24) and has provided more than one assist in a single match for the first time since he arrived in Italy (247 matches in all competitions).