22 May 2023
On the evening that Juventus were docked 10 points for events off the pitch, the team lost 4-1 on it.
Empoli took advantage of their chances, while the Bianconeri missed theirs to lead 2-0 at the break. The hosts went three goals up before Federico Chiesa pulled one back with five minutes to play, only for Empoli to score a fourth deep inside stoppage time
THE MATCH
Despite the news that had filtered through to the players, Juventus started with intent to climb back up the standings.
The first chances fell to Dušan Vlahović and Filip Kostić, but both times home keeper Guglielmo Vicario smothered the danger. On 13 minutes, Arek Milik got involved, attacking a corner played to the edge of the six-yard penalty area. The striker’s header crashed back off the crossbar and although Federico Gatti poked the ball into the net from the ensuing scramble, VAR confirmed that Vicario had been impeded in the lead-up.
Despite dominating the opening 15 minutes, Juve would find themselves two goals down five minutes later. With their first attack, Empoli were awarded a penalty when Milik tripped Nicolò Cambiaghi at the edge of the area. Francesco Caputo converted the spot kick.
Three minutes later a corner wasn’t cleared despite a reflex save from Wojciech Szczęsny from a close range Jean Akpa Akpro header. The ball broke into the path of Sebastiano Luperto, who drove his shot high into the net.
The Bianconeri responded immediately. Bremer was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance when the ball broke to him from six yards out but he couldn’t keep his shot down. Adrien Rabiot then went close with a powerful shot from distance, but Juve were being well marshalled by the home side.
The last chance in the first half arrived in stoppage time when Kostić played through Vlahović, but a tackle from Vicario, who had come rushing outside of his penalty area, stopped the striker in his tracks.
At the start of the second half the script remained the same despite Leandro Paredes and Federico Chiesa being brought on after the interval.
The first opportunity fell to Vlahović, who skied his shot. Two minutes later, Empoli scored their third. Akpa Akpro raced away from Alex Sandro. His cross was flicked beyond Szczęsny by Caputo for the veteran striker’s second on the night.
The three-goal deficit was reduced with five minutes to play. Rabiot’s cross cleared the danger area before arriving to Chiesa, who controlled with his chest before drilling a volley low into the net.
The goal didn’t spark an onslaught from Juve, however, and Empoli restored their three-goal advantage in stoppage time. Roberto Piccoli was set up in front of goal and the striker drilled home on 93 minutes.
An evening that started in anomalous circumstances ended with a result no one would have predicted.
EMPOLI 4-1 JUVENTUS (HT: 2-0)
Scorers: 18′ (pen) & 48’ Caputo, 22′ Luperto, 85′ Chiesa, 90+3′ Piccoli
EMPOLI: Vicario; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Grassi, Bandinelli (68′ Haas); Akpa Akpro (87′ Stojanovic), Fazzini (78′ Henderson), Cambiaghi (78′ Pjaca); Caputo (87′ Piccoli). Subs not used: Perisan, Ujkani; Cacace, Satriano, Destro, Tonelli, Vignato. Coach: Zanetti
JUVENTUS: Szczęsny; Gatti, Bremer, Alex Sandro (63′ Rugani); Barbieri (46′ Chiesa), Miretti (46′ Paredes), Locatelli (58′ Di Maria), Rabiot, Kostic; Milik (58′ Kean), Vlahovic. Subs not used: Pinsoglio, Perin,, Riccio, Sersanti, Iling-Junior. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Ayroldi
Bookings: 53′ Parisi, 55′ Rabiot, 66′ Bandinelli, 76′ Paredes
