Empoli beat Juventus 4-2 on penalties to advance to their first ever Coppa Italia semi-finals on Wednesday after a resilient performance helped them to hold the defending champions to a 1-1 draw in regular time.
Dusan Vlahovic missed Juventus first attempt from the spot, sending his effort way over the bar before Empoli keeper Devis Vasquez denied Kenan Yildiz and Empoli defender Luca Marianucci sealed the win for the visitors.
Youssef Maleh gave Empoli a shock lead after 24 minutes, scoring with a powerful strike from outside the box, before Khephren Thuram levelled for the struggling hosts after the hour mark with a stunning individual effort from a tight angle.
Empoli, who were playing in the competition’s quarter-finals for the first time since 2006-07, will face Bologna in a two-legged semi-final in April. Inter Milan and AC Milan will play each other for the other spot in the final.
Forward Nicolas Gonzalez could have given Juventus a perfect start but failed to convert from a brilliant headed pass by Kolo Muani two minutes into the game, sending his attempt from the edge of the area just over.
Confronted with a tight Empoli defence, the record 15-times winners showed little threat in the remainder of the first half and the visitors took the lead through Maleh’s effort.
The Morocco midfielder received a precise low pass before he found some space to unleash a powerful shot inside the left post.
Empoli remained disciplined at the back and Ismael Konate had an excellent chance to double the advantage on a counter attack just before the break but Juventus keeper Mattia Perin did well to keep out his low shot.
The 18-year-old forward then hit the post in first-half stoppage time before the ball bounced away.
Juventus went off for the break accompanied by boos from the home fans after their 70% possession translated into zero shots on target and two attempts overall.
Vlahovic was behind Juve’s first attempt on goal after 52 minutes from a free kick but Vasquez leaped to deny an equaliser.
Empoli’s Junior Sambia wasted a golden chance to make it 2-0 when he concluded a fine solo run with a shot right at Perin.
France midfielder Thuram found the equaliser shortly afterwards when he dribbled past the Empoli defence for a smooth finish.
Both sides stepped up their efforts in a nail-biting finish, where Vlahovic saw further chances thwarted while Empoli’s Christian Kouame struck just wide and Sambia blasted a good chance over in stoppage time as the game went into a penalty shootout.
Serie A strugglers Empoli eliminated Fiorentina on penalties in the last 16 after beating Torino 2-1 in the second round.
Winless in 11 consecutive league games, they were thrashed by Atalanta 5-0 at home last weekend and fell into the relegation zone.
