Juventus defeated lowly Empoli 4-1 at home on Sunday in Serie A because to a quick double from new acquisition Randal Kolo Muani, which propelled them into the top four.
After four minutes, defender Mattia De Sciglio gave visiting Empoli a surprising lead by nodding home after a corner, but Kolo Muani responded from close range.
Three minutes later, the France attacker gave Juventus the lead, and late on, substitutes Francisco Conceicao and Dusan Vlahovic finished the carnage.
Juventus, who had only won one of their last eight games in all competitions, climbed up to fourth position with 40 points, one point ahead of fifth-place Lazio, who will visit Cagliari on Monday.
The hosts entered the match fresh off a 2-1 league loss at leaders Napoli and a 2-0 Champions League home loss to Benfica, which broke their 21-game winning streak and their first Serie A loss of the season.
De Sciglio, who was on loan from Juventus, headed home from Liam Henderson’s corner to give Empoli an early lead.
Di Gregorio’s tackle on midfielder Youssef Maleh in the 15th minute gave Juventus a scare when the visitors were awarded a penalty, but the referee reversed his judgement after a VAR investigation revealed handball.
After the half, Juventus, who had only managed one attempt on goal in the first forty-five minutes, picked up the pace, and Devis Vasquez, the custodian for Empoli, did a good job of denying Teun Koopmeiners and Nicolas Gonzalez.
On the hour, Kolo Muani scored for the home team after latching onto a long pass from Teun Koopmeiners and tucking the ball inside the near post.
When Timothy Weah’s long-range effort bounced off the striker and went into the bottom corner of the net, the 26-year-old gave Juventus the lead.
After joining Juventus on loan from Paris St. Germain last month, the France attacker scored his third goal in his second match.
Conceicao clinched the victory after a spectacular long pass from Khephren Thuram, and Vlahovic made it 3-1 in the 90th minute with a strong strike under the bar after a single run.
In the 84th minute, Maleh received a second yellow card, leaving Empoli with 10 men. On Friday, Juventus will travel to 15th-place Como.
On Saturday, Empoli, who are currently in 17th place and one point above the relegation zone, will host AC Milan.
