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Empoli took a shock lead in the 28th minute through Francesco Caputo.
But Juve responded through a Ronaldo penalty ten minutes after half-time – and the Portuguese star blew the roof off 15 minutes later.
Ronaldo received a pass from team-mate Blaise Matuidi about 30 yards from goal.
An Empoli midfielder chased back to try and block as Ronaldo set his sights on goal.
But he unleashed a furious drive that moved in the air leaving Ivan Provedel in the hosts’ goal with no chance whatsoever.
Ronaldo’s goal was enough to give Juve all three points and they now have a seven-point gap at the top as they go in search of their EIGHTH consecutive Scudetto.
Second-place Napoli do have a game in hand but face a tricky home clash with Champions League-chasing Roma on Sunday (19:30).
It might have been different as Empoli – who are now without a win in nine games and 18th in Serie A – had put up a decent fight before Ronaldo’s wonder strike.
And while boss Aurelio Andreazzoli said he was proud of his players’ performance, he was once again left frustrated at their failure to secure a positive result.
“It’s disappointing for the lads, as after so much sacrifice, I’d like to see them get the results they deserve,” he said.
“We keep going so close to a victory and are showered with compliments, yet we don’t get virtual points or points for style, so we have to work with the situation that we are in.
“We prepared for this game with slightly less possession than we usually have, but enough in the circumstances, as last week against Frosinone (3-3) we poured forward in waves and were left very open.
“You can’t afford that against a quality side like Juventus.
“I prefer to think of my team holding the ball than working on preventative marking
“But I am a Coach at a club that needs to save itself from relegation, so I have to balance it 50-50.”
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