Late Vlahovic goal earns Juventus narrow win at 10-man Salernitana

SALERNO, Italy :A stoppage-time header by Dusan Vlahovic helped Juventus come from behind to grab a 2-1 win at Salernitana in Serie A on Sunday after the hosts were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

The win allowed Juventus to keep pace with leaders Inter Milan in the title race as they reached the halfway mark in the campaign in second spot in the standings on 46 points.

They are two points behind Inter, who beat lowly Verona 2-1 in a drama-filled clash on Saturday, and seven above third-placed AC Milan.

"Let's be realistic. We have the Inter team in front of us who are having an important championship," coach Massimiliano Allegri told DAZN.

"Winning in Salerno was important to maintain the distance from fifth place. We have a 14-point advantage, that means five games. That's already a lot."

Vlahovic echoed the coach's comments, stressing that a top-four finish is currently Juventus' main focus.

"Our goal is to get into the Champions League," Vlahovic said. "Let's move forward game by game, then we'll see."

Juventus missed out on the top-tier European competition this season having ended seventh last year after they were docked 10 points in May for the club's transfer dealings.

Salernitana midfielder Giulio Maggiore beat Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box before the break but Samuel Iling-Junior equalised in the 65th minute and Vlahovic headed home the winner in the 91st.

The hosts were left with 10 men when Maggiore received his second booking for a tackle on Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the 53rd minute.

Salernitana, who on Thursday were thrashed 6-1 at Juve in the Coppa Italia last 16 after opening the scoring in the first minute, had an early chance through