Match Centre

Juventus vs Empoli | Preview & Expected Lineup

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2025

Juventus vs Empoli meet for the second time this month, this time battling for a spot in the Coppa Italia semi-finals. The match is set to take place at Allianz Stadium at 21:00 CET. Here’s a detailed preview ahead of the clash.

Head to Head stats

This will be the 35th encounter between Juventus and Empoli across all competitions. Juventus hold a dominant record with 24 wins, while Empoli have secured just five victories, along with five draws.

Among teams that Juventus have faced at least 20 times since 1986, their win rate against Empoli (71%) is second only to their record against Chievo (74%).

The two sides have only met once in the Coppa Italia, during the 2007/08 season, when Juventus progressed with a 6-5 aggregate victory (losing 2-1 in the first leg but winning 5-3 in the return match).

Juventus have netted 57 goals in their last 26 meetings with Empoli, averaging 2.2 goals per game. Since 2000, only against Sassuolo (2.3) have they maintained a higher scoring average.

At home, Juventus have suffered just one defeat in 17 encounters with Empoli in all competitions (14W, 2D). That lone loss came in a 1-0 Serie A defeat on August 28, 2021.

In the Round of 16, Juventus registered the most shots on goal (27) in their win over Cagliari. Meanwhile, Empoli conceded the highest number of shots (15) among the quarter-finalists.

Key facts & Statistics about Juventus vs Empoli

Juventus are the most successful club in Coppa Italia history, reaching the semi-finals 36 times in 77 editions—at least seven more times than any other team (Inter Milan follow with 29).

The Bianconeri have netted 18 goals since the 2023/24 edition of the tournament—more than any other club.

Juventus have advanced past the quarter-finals in the last five consecutive editions (2019/20 to 2023/24). Their last elimination at this stage came in 2018/19, when they lost 3-0 to Atalanta.

Since their last home defeat in the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina in March 2015 (1-2), Juventus have remained unbeaten in 24 consecutive home matches in the competition, winning 21 and drawing three. They have also kept clean sheets in 14 of those matches—the longest home unbeaten streak in the tournament.

Empoli are undefeated in their last three Coppa Italia fixtures (2W, 1D). The last time they had a longer unbeaten run in the tournament was in 2002/03 (four games: three wins and one draw).

Player to watch – Juventus

Dušan Vlahović: Since making his Coppa Italia debut in 2019/20, Vlahović has scored nine goals in the competition—joint-most alongside Gianluca Scamacca. He is also Juventus’ top scorer this season, with 14 goals across all competitions.

Kenan Yıldız: The young Turkish forward has already scored in Serie A, the Champions League, and the Italian Super Cup this season. If he finds the net in this match, he will become the only Juventus player to score in all four competitions this season.

Timothy Weah: With 10 combined goals and assists this season, Weah is among the most productive Juventus players. His most recent assist came against Empoli on February 2, setting up Kolo Muani.

Francisco Conceição: In the Round of 16, he led in several key metrics—most shots (7), most dribbles completed (5), and most passes into the opposition’s penalty area (15).

Manuel Locatelli: The midfielder has completed 1,922 passes this season—second only to Marten de Roon (2,161) among Serie A midfielders.

Empoli’s key players

Sebastiano Esposito: The 22-year-old forward is the youngest player in Serie A with at least 10 goals across all competitions this season. With eight Serie A goals and two in the Coppa Italia, he is close to surpassing 10 goals in a single season for Empoli—a feat last achieved by Andrea Pinamonti (13 goals in 2021/22).

Lorenzo Colombo: With six goals and two assists, Colombo has equaled his best season tally. He is a key attacking threat for Empoli.

Christian Kouamé: The Ivorian forward is the only player in Empoli’s current squad to have scored more than once against Juventus. He has two career goals against them and has been directly involved in four goals (2G, 2A) against the Bianconeri in nine appearances.

Emmanuel Gyasi: Previously coached by Thiago Motta at Spezia, Gyasi scored six goals under his guidance in Serie A—his highest tally under any manager.

Luca Marianucci: A standout performer in Empoli’s Coppa Italia run, he leads the team in passes (124), interceptions (9), and blocked shots (4) in the tournament.

Final thoughts on Juventus vs Empoli

Juventus enter this quarter-final as clear favorites, boasting a dominant record against Empoli and an impressive Coppa Italia pedigree. However, Empoli have shown resilience in recent games, and with key attacking threats like Esposito and Colombo, they will look to spring an upset. Juventus will aim to maintain their unbeaten home record in the competition and advance to the semi-finals for the sixth consecutive season.

Thiago Motta is expected to start XI with this lineup according to latest update by Sky Sport Italia ⬇️