Dusan Vlahovic’s strike after 10-seconds was the fastest for Juventus since records began in 2004. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic scored after 10 seconds to secure a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Lecce ​in Serie A on Saturday, moving his side into provisional third place ‌and strengthening its grip on a Champions League qualifying ​spot.

The victory takes Luciano Spalletti’s team to 68 ⁠points, a point above AC Milan, which hosts Atalanta on Sunday, and four points clear of fifth-placed AS Roma, which visits Parma.

Only two full ‌rounds of fixtures will remain once the weekend schedule is completed.

For Lecce, the result means it is not ‌yet out of the woods in its battle to avoid ‌the ⁠drop. It is 17th, four points clear of the final ⁠place in the drop zone occupied by Cremonese, which plays Pisa on Sunday. Bottom side Pisa and Hellas Verona have already been relegated.

Vlahovic broke the deadlock ​at the Stadio Via ‌del Mare with Juve’s quickest league goal since records began in 2004.

After bringing down an Andrea Cambiaso cross from the left, the Serbia striker manoeuvred past three markers and lashed a ‌shot into the roof of the net from close ​range.

The visitor dominated much of the contest and was twice denied a second goal by VAR interventions. However, ⁠despite Juventus creating several opportunities to extend their lead, Vlahovic’s early goal was enough to secure the points.

“The most important thing ‌was the result. We got the three points, we absolutely must win the remaining two games,” Vlahovic told Sky Sports Italia.

“It was all in our hands. If we win the remaining games, then there’s nothing anyone else can do about it. We know what is at stake, so we must go out there ‌and win,” he added.

Spalletti expressed his frustration with Juve’s inability to wrap up ​the points sooner.

“We’ve been saying for a while that we keep doing this, we score early and ⁠then don’t finish the games off. It’s like a cut and paste ⁠of previous mistakes,” he said.

“A game like this one cannot end 1-0. We barely allowed them to get into ‌our half. There were so many situations where we had two attacking options and always went for the third ​worst one. That’s just what we are like.” 

Published on May 10, 2026