TURIN (ITALPRESS) – Empoli will take on Bologna in the Coppa Italia semifinals. At the Allianz Stadium in Turin, the team coached by Roberto D’Aversa won the challenge against Juventus on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 1-1. The Bianconeri’s mistakes from the penalty spot by Vlahovic and Yildiz were decisive. Empoli’s first historic qualification to a national cup semifinal. For the Tuscans, after the clear defeat cashed at Castellani against Atalanta and the third-last place in the standings, a great satisfaction in an evening in which history was written. For the Lady, on the other hand, another failed goal.
In the last game of February, it did not end as it did in the first of the month when Juventus had beaten Empoli at home. Then, in the league, the Bianconeri had defeated the Tuscans 4-1, while tonight in the Coppa Italia the confrontation ended 5-3 in favor of the visiting side. At the Allianz Stadium, as, by the way, had already happened in the match on February 2, it was Empoli who took the lead: the author of the goal for the Tuscans was Maleh who, at 24′, let off a sudden cross-right from the edge that left Perin no chance.
Empoli came close to doubling the lead in the second half when Konate with a left-footed shot got past Perin again but this time it was the post that saved Juventus.
Early in the second half, a super Perin denied first Empoli’s double again on a Maleh conclusion and then at 12′ when Sambia stole the ball from Cambiaso and finished with a sure shot. In between, on 7′, it was Vlahovic who had tried on a free kick with Vazquez good at saying no by deflecting it into a corner. Finding the equalizer at 21′, however, was Thuram with a goal-masterpiece: with magic on the short left side of the area he got rid of Goglichidze and slotted the ball between the post and Vazquez. In the penalty shootout, it was Vlahovic’s errors to Yildiz that sealed Juventus’s elimination, while from the eleven meters none of the designated Empolese players (Henderson, Kouamè, Cacace and Marianucci) missed. A historic semifinal for Empoli, which will contend with Bologna for access to the final (the other finalist will emerge from Milan-Inter), while Juve, the defending champions, says goodbye to the competition in the quarters.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
Historic Cup semifinal for Empoli, Juve knocked out on penalties
