Empoli makes history: for the first time they are in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. And they get there with a sensational blow, namely the elimination of Juventus who – after Sunday's victory in Cagliari – surrenders in an incredible way at home in the last match of the quarter-finals. At the Allianz Stadium it is 1-1 in the 90th minute, then the 2-4 on penalties brings the overall score to 3-5 with which the Tuscans advance, who had not won since December 8 (then 2 wins and 9 defeats, all in Serie A).
A splendid goal by Youssef Maleh opened the scoring in the 24th minute, a great shot that left Perin no chance . Former Cagliari player Konaté could have doubled the lead in the only minute of injury time in the first half, but alone in front of the Juventus goalkeeper he crossed and hit the post. At the start of the second half, however, it was Sambia who missed the chance to double the lead with a shot lifted by Perin over the crossbar (instead of serving Konaté himself free on his left). Empoli's many errors - who missed the second goal - were paid for by the Tuscans in the 66th minute, when Khéphren Thuram with a great play freed himself from an opponent and from the edge of the box scored to make it 1-1 . But Juventus' assaults (risking something on the counterattack) did not lead to 2-1 in regulation time.
It goes to penalties. Vlahović immediately misses from the spot, kicking badly high . Henderson scores with a central shot, then Kolo Muani, Kouamé, Locatelli and Cacace (the latter two with a shiver, risking a save from the opposing goalkeepers). While Vásquez gets the corner right with Yıldız and parries it to his left and Marianucci closes the account for Empoli.
In the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia there will be Bologna-Empoli and the Inter-Milan derby . First leg on April 2, return leg on the 23rd (dates to be confirmed). For Thiago Motta's Juventus it is another resounding flop, a week after elimination from the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven .
