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It was a night to forget for Juventus, who were knocked out of the Coppa Italia quarter-finals after losing a penalty shootout to Empoli. The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, but missed penalties from Vlahovic and Yildiz sealed Juve’s fate, allowing the Tuscan side to convert all five of their attempts and secure a historic semi-final berth—the first in their history.
The shock exit prompted a harsh reaction from Thiago Motta. Empoli, currently fighting to avoid relegation from Serie A, played with courage and tactical discipline, schooling Juventus with their simple yet effective approach. Fielding a squad packed with young talent—including five players under 20—they showed maturity beyond their years and fully deserved their victory.
Juve’s disastrous evening started in the first half, met with a chorus of boos from the home fans. The visitors took the lead through Maleh, capitalising on a costly mistake by Gonzalez in midfield. Just before half-time, Empoli came close to doubling their lead when Konaté broke through on goal but struck the inside of the post.
In the second half, Thuram gave Juventus hope with a stunning individual effort, turning Henderson before firing an unstoppable shot under the crossbar. However, despite the equaliser, the Bianconeri never truly took control of the match, struggling to break down a well-organised Empoli side and leaving themselves vulnerable at the back.
When the match went to penalties, Empoli kept their composure, converting all five spot-kicks, while Vlahovic and Yildiz faltered for Juventus, sealing their elimination.
For the Tuscans, it is a historic qualification, setting up a semi-final clash with Bologna and giving them a chance to continue their dream run in the competition. For Juventus, this is their third competition exit in just two months, raising serious questions about the direction of the team and its ability to compete at the highest level.
