Empoli knocked holders Juventus out of the Coppa Italia on penalties with Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz errors, regardless of a sensational Khephren Thuram aim for the 1-1 draw, reaching their first ever semi-final.
As a substitute, it’s Empoli who will face Bologna within the two-legged semi-final, whereas
The Bianconeri continued the defence of the trophy received final season by dealing with Empoli with out Douglas Luiz, Renato Veiga, Pierre Kalulu, Niccolò Savona, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal, however for the primary time utilizing . The Tuscans misplaced 4 on the bounce in Serie A, together with a 4-1 defeat right here on February 2, and the absentee listing included Tino Anjorin, Ardian Ismajli, Jacopo Fazzini, Mattia Viti, Ola Solbakken, Nicolas Haas, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov and Pietro Pellegri.
Nico Gonzalez ought to’ve opened the scoring after 90 seconds, however ballooned over after a Kolo Muani knock-down.
Nevertheless, there was a shock when Empoli took the lead as Nico Gonzalez gave the ball away and Youssef Maleh hit a scorcher into the far backside nook along with his weaker proper foot from outdoors the world.
Empoli lead in opposition to Juventus 😱
What a strike by Youssef Maleh to present his aspect a shock lead within the Coppa Italia 🎯
Juve struggled to create any probabilities, as as an alternative Maleh went by the center on Liam Henderson’s go and laid it off for Ibrahim Konate, the 18-year-old’s angled drive too weak to bother Mattia Perin.
Empoli actually ought to’ve gone 2-0 up with the final kick of the half, as Konate sprung the offside entice on a protracted ball excessive and beat Perin, however the end bounced off the within of the upright and again out.
The second half began in an analogous vein, as inside 20 seconds Maleh’s highly effective strike along with his most popular left boot from distance was palmed around the upright by Perin.
Dusan Vlahovic’s free kick had bent over the wall and was dipping into the far high nook till pushed away by the Devis Vasquez save.
With a scarcity of defenders, Thiago Motta launched Manuel Locatelli as a centre-back, however Andrea Cambiaso stumbled to ship Junior Sambia clear and Perin needed to palm that end over the bar.
Juventus had been woken up by a , who twisted Liam Henderson inside out on the by-line with a back-heel flick to ship the ball behind the participant whereas he ran in entrance, then beat Vasquez from the tightest of angles.
Khéphren Thuram, that’s FILTHY! 😮💨
Thoughts-blowing piece of ability by the Juventus midfielder earlier than scoring an equaliser 🪄
Vlahovic’s header was straight at Vasquez, together with the Sebastiano Esposito strike on the different finish, whereas Kenan Yildiz drilled vast.
Alberto Costa made his Juventus debut for the ultimate seven minutes, however there have been probabilities at each ends, Christian Kouame after which Vlahovic getting the end all flawed after good build-up.
Vasquez rushed off his line to smother at Vlahovic’s toes following a heavy contact and Kenan Yildiz fired over on the bounce in stoppages from a nook.
The groups couldn’t be divided, so went straight to a penalty shoot-out, which is how Empoli already eradicated Fiorentina within the Spherical of 16.
Vlahovic stepped up first and ballooned it over the crossbar, adopted by profitable conversions till Vasquez received right down to palm the Kenan Yildiz effort around the close to backside nook.
Luca Marianucci saved his cool to transform and full the clear sweep of Empoli penalties, knocking holders Juventus out of the Coppa Italia.
Juventus 1-1 Empoli
Maleh 24 (E), Okay Thuram 66 (J)
Penalty shoot-out
Vlahovic (J, miss), Henderson (E, aim), Kolo Muani (J, aim), Kouame (E, aim), Locatelli (J, aim), Cacace (E, aim), Kenan Yildiz (J, saved), Marianucci (E, aim)
