Juventus will be eyeing a spot in the Coppa Italia semi-final when they face Empoli on Wednesday night.
Coppa Italia holders Juventus will aim to continue their title defence when they host Empoli at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday in the quarter-finals. Despite an underwhelming season, Juve remain in contention for silverware and will be eager to take a step closer to a 16th Coppa Italia crown.
On the other hand, Empoli, battling relegation in Serie A, have defied the odds to reach this stage but now face a monumental challenge against a team they recently lost to in emphatic fashion.
Juventus’s season has been inconsistent, but their 4-0 victory over Cagliari in the last round of the Coppa Italia showcased their strength in knockout football. Dusan Vlahovic scored in that fixture, and after spending time on the sidelines, the Serbian forward marked his first Serie A start of 2025 with another goal in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Cagliari in the league.
The win helped Juventus strengthen their hold on fourth place in the Serie A standings, keeping them on course for UEFA Champions League qualification next season. However, their Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven earlier this month means that the Coppa Italia remains their last chance at a trophy this season.
Historically, Juventus have dominated head-to-head encounters against Empoli, winning 80% of their league meetings in Turin. Their most recent meeting, a 4-1 league win earlier this month, saw them dismantle their Tuscan opponents in the second half, scoring four times after initially falling behind.
With four wins from their last five matches, Thiago Motta’s side come into this clash in solid form and will be the strong favourites to advance to the semi-finals, where Bologna await them.
Despite being one of the Coppa Italia’s biggest underdogs, Empoli have shown remarkable resilience to reach the quarter-finals. They navigated past Catanzaro in the opening round, stunned Torino with a last-minute winner, and most impressively, knocked out Fiorentina on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw in Florence.
However, their Serie A form is a major concern. With six defeats in their last seven league matches, Empoli have been free-falling towards relegation, now sitting two points adrift of safety. Their latest 5-0 thrashing by Atalanta BC only worsened their troubles, leaving them in desperate need of a turnaround.
Empoli can take encouragement from the fact that they have avoided defeat in two of their last five league matches against Juventus. However, given their recent defensive frailties, they will need a huge performance to stop Juventus from exploiting their weaknesses. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus continue to struggle with multiple injury concerns, particularly in defence, which could force Thiago Motta to make significant adjustments. Full-back Nicolo Savona and Chelsea loanee Renato Veiga have recently joined the injury list, adding to the club’s defensive woes.
The hosts are already without Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal, both of whom have been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Pierre Kalulu is also sidelined, further limiting Motta’s defensive options. Adding to the concerns, Andrea Cambiaso had to be substituted against Cagliari, making him a doubt for this match.
The midfield is also affected, as Douglas Luiz, who had just returned from an injury layoff, suffered a flexor strain and will be unavailable. His absence reduces the number of options Motta has in central midfield.
Meanwhile, upfront, Dusan Vlahovic marked his return to the starting lineup with a goal against Cagliari, but it remains to be seen whether he can hold off Randal Kolo Muani, who has made a significant impact since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
Juventus are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, offering them defensive stability while allowing their attacking players to exploit Empoli’s vulnerabilities.
Mattia Perin will start in goal, stepping in for the usual first-choice keeper. The back four will see Timothy Weah at right-back, with Federico Gatti and Lloyd Kelly forming the central defensive pairing. Jonas Jakob Rouhi will likely be deployed at left-back in the absence of other available options.
In midfield, Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners will operate as a double pivot, with Thuram tasked with breaking up play and Koopmeiners providing forward distribution.
Further up, the attacking trio will feature Nico Gonzalez on the right flank, Weston McKennie in a central attacking role, and Samuel Mbangula on the left. Their creativity and movement will be key in unlocking Empoli’s defence.
Leading the line will be Randal Kolo Muani, who is expected to start ahead of Dusan Vlahovic. Kolo Muani’s pace, dribbling, and ability to link up with his teammates will be crucial in breaking down Empoli’s defence and securing Juventus’s passage to the semi-finals.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Perin; Weah, Gatti, Kelly, Rouhi; Thuram, Koopmeiners; Gonzalez, McKennie, Mbangula; Kolo Muani
Empoli
Empoli are also dealing with several injury concerns, with five long-term absentees already missing from their squad. Additionally, Mattia Viti and Ardian Ismajli remain doubts for this fixture, potentially weakening Empoli’s defensive structure.
On a more positive note, Tino Anjorin and Jacopo Fazzini have resumed full training, but their match fitness remains uncertain, making it unlikely that they will start. However, young centre-back Luca Marianucci returns from a two-match suspension, giving Roberto D’Aversa another defensive option.
There could also be a goalkeeping change, as Marco Silvestri, who has started the last two matches, conceded five goals in the heavy defeat to Atalanta BC. As a result, Devis Vasquez might be preferred between the posts in Turin.
Empoli are likely to set up in a 3-5-2 formation, a system designed to provide defensive solidity while also offering support in midfield. In goal, Devis Vasquez is expected to start, replacing Marco Silvestri following Empoli’s defensive collapse against Atalanta.
The three-man defensive line will see Mattia De Sciglio at right centre-back, with Saba Goglichidze and Liberato Cacace forming the rest of the backline. This setup aims to provide additional protection against Juventus’s attacking threats.
The midfield five will feature Emmanuel Gyasi on the right flank and Giuseppe Pezzella on the left, both tasked with tracking Juventus’ wing-backs while also pushing forward when possible. Liam Henderson, Alberto Grassi, and Youssef Maleh will form the midfield trio, with Grassi playing as the deep-lying playmaker, Henderson offering defensive cover, and Maleh providing energy and ball progression.
Up front, Sebastiano Esposito will operate as the more creative forward, linking up play and looking to exploit spaces. Lorenzo Colombo will be the main striker, leading the line with his hold-up play and finishing ability. With Juventus in strong form, Empoli will need to stay compact defensively while hoping their attacking duo can capitalize on any rare opportunities that come their way.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Vasquez; De Sciglio, Goglichidze, Cacace; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella; Esposito, Colombo
Key Stats
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Juventus have won 80% of their home matches against Empoli in Serie A history, showcasing their superiority in Turin. Their most recent meeting ended in a 4-1 victory for the Bianconeri earlier this month.
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Empoli have conceded 18 goals in their last five matches across all competitions, including a 5-0 thrashing by Atalanta BC in their last outing. Their defensive struggles could be further exposed by Juventus’ attacking firepower.
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The Bianconeri have reached at least the semi-finals in five of the last six Coppa Italia campaigns. They began their title defence with a 4-0 win over Cagliari in the last round, showing their dominance in the competition.
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While historically dominated by Juventus, Empoli have lost only two of their last five league meetings with the Bianconeri, having previously suffered 10 defeats in 11 encounters. However, they will need a massive performance to pull off an upset in Turin.
Player to Watch
Randal Kolo Muani
As Juventus push for Coppa Italia glory, Randal Kolo Muani is expected to play a pivotal role in leading the attack. Since arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, the French forward has quickly made an impact, adding pace, creativity, and clinical finishing to Thiago Motta’s frontline.
With Dusan Vlahovic returning to fitness, Kolo Muani faces competition for a starting role, but his versatility and ability to stretch defences make him a key asset. His intelligent movement allows him to find spaces between defenders, while his link-up play with Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners adds another dimension to Juventus’s attacking play.
Against an Empoli side that has conceded 18 goals in their last five matches, Kolo Muani has the perfect opportunity to exploit their defensive weaknesses. His ability to press high, create chances, and finish clinically will be crucial as Juventus look to secure a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Expect Randal Kolo Muani to be at the centre of Juventus’s attacking efforts, either scoring or setting up key chances, as they aim to break down Empoli’s fragile backline and keep their silverware hopes alive.
Prediction
Juventus 3-0 Empoli
The hosts should cruise into the semi-finals with a dominant display. Juventus’s superior squad depth, home advantage, and recent dominance over Empoli make them the overwhelming favourites in this quarter-final tie.
While Empoli have defied expectations in the Coppa Italia, their poor form and defensive vulnerability will likely be exposed by a Juventus side desperate for silverware. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Thiago Motta and his charges.
