![\"tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ420T1-VIEWIMAGE\"](\"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reuters_Direct_Media\/USOnlineReportSportsNews\/tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ420T1-VIEWIMAGE.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTURIN (Reuters) -Juventus regained second place in Serie A with goals from midfielder Leandro Paredes and striker Dusan Vlahovic, giving them a 2-1 win over Lecce on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Juve have 63 points from 33 games, putting pressure on third-placed Lazio, on 61 points, to respond against Sassuolo later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“It doesn\u2019t matter if we are against Atalanta, (AC) Milan, Lecce or Cremonese, the important thing is to get a certain number of points. I think if you don\u2019t get 72 or 73 points, you are unlikely to finish in the top four,” Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri told DAZN.<\/p>\n
Lecce, 16th in the standings, thought they had taken the lead after three minutes through Assan Ceesay, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR review.<\/p>\n
It took 15 minutes before Paredes gave the hosts the lead with a well-placed free-kick from outside the box that found a gap in the Lecce wall and slipped into the lower left corner.<\/p>\n
Lecce equalised in the 37th minute through Ceesay, who converted from the spot after Danilo gave away a penalty for handball. Vlahovic restored Juve’s lead three minutes later with a left-foot half-volley from the edge of the box.<\/p>\n
Juve had an opportunity to increase their lead in the 63rd minute when Danilo reached Paredes’ corner ahead of his marker but the Brazilian defender’s header hit the post.<\/p>\n
Ceesay almost drew the visitors level near the end of the match when he was unmarked at close range and sent a header towards the goal. However, the effort and the following rebound were saved by Juve goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.<\/p>\n
“Lecce are a tough side to play against, they have caused problems for a lot of opponents and we risked conceding an equaliser,” Allegri said. “We allowed too much in defence, even from non-existent situations, and we have to improve.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Atalanta secured a 3-2 win at home against Spezia with goals by Marten de Roon, Davide Zappacosta and Luis Muriel. The Bergamo side moved up to fourth in the standings on 58 points.<\/p>\n
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in GdanskEditing by Christian Radnedge)<\/p>\n
![\"tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ420T3-VIEWIMAGE\"](\"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reuters_Direct_Media\/USOnlineReportSportsNews\/tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ420T3-VIEWIMAGE.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ420T2-VIEWIMAGE\"](\"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reuters_Direct_Media\/USOnlineReportSportsNews\/tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ420T2-VIEWIMAGE.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"