Juventus Crashes Out of Coppa Italia After Penalty Shootout Loss to Empoli
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Juventus suffered a shocking exit from the Coppa Italia after losing 4-2 to Empoli in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw in regular time. The defeat marked a disappointing end to the defending champions' campaign, with Empoli advancing to the semi-finals to face Bologna in a two-legged tie. The match saw Youssef Maleh put Empoli in front after 24 minutes, before Khephren Thuram leveled for Juventus with a stunning individual effort in the second half.
The penalty shootout was marked by a poor showing from Juventus, with Dusan Vlahovic missing their first attempt and Kenan Yildiz's effort being saved by Devis Vasquez. Empoli, on the other hand, converted all their penalties successfully, with Luca Maranucci sealing the win for the visitors. The defeat was met with criticism from Juventus coach Thiago Motta, who expressed shame and disappointment at his team's performance, stating that they did not deserve to advance to the semi-finals due to their lackluster attitude and poor display.
The loss marked a disastrous couple of weeks for Juventus, who had previously crashed out of the Champions League in extra time to PSV Eindhoven. Motta took full responsibility for the defeat, stating that he had not taught his players the importance of wearing the Juventus jersey and that they had shown a wrong attitude throughout the match. The coach also emphasized the need for his team to start from the basics of football and life, which is attitude, and to earn things rather than expecting them to go their way.
Empoli's win was a significant upset, given that they were playing in the competition's quarterfinals for the first time since 2006-07. The team had also struggled in the league, losing 5-0 to Atalanta at home last weekend and falling into the relegation zone. However, they showed resilience and determination in the Coppa Italia, eliminating Fiorentina on penalties in the last 16 and beating Torino 2-1 in the second round. The team's success in the competition will be a welcome boost to their morale, as they look to improve their league form and avoid relegation.
The Coppa Italia semi-finals will see Empoli face Bologna, while Inter Milan and AC Milan will play each other for the other spot in the final. The tournament has been marked by several upsets, with Juventus being the latest high-profile team to crash out. The remaining teams will be looking to capitalize on the defending champions' exit and make a push for the title. Here are the match scores and schedules for the semi-finals:
- Empoli vs Bologna (two-legged tie)
- Inter Milan vs AC Milan (two-legged tie)
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