New Year Hangover For JuveJuventus will be looking to earn their first win of 2008 against Empoli following a lethargic performance against Catania in Serie A at the weekend.
The Bianconeri failed to display the kind of form that had seen them win three league games in succession before Christmas, and only managed to earn a 1-1 draw in Sicily courtesy of a controversial last-minute penalty from Alessandro Del Piero.
Juve were particularly poor in the first-half, with midfielder Tiago Mendes being hauled off at half-time after another hugely disappointing performance.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, the Old Lady should be confident of being able to turn around the scoreline at the Stadio Olimpico.
However it is never easy to predict just how committed Juve will be in this game, as historically they have never taken the Coppa Italia too seriously. They have only lifted the trophy on two occasions in the past 25 years, the last time coming in 1995.
Empoli Hoping To Extend Unbeaten Run
Empoli may be sitting in a precarious 17th position in Serie A, just two points above the relegation zone, however they arrive in Turin in a much healthier position than when the two sides met in the first leg in Tuscany on December 6.
Before that match Empoli were sitting rock-bottom of Serie A having picked up just 10 points from 14 league games. However the 2-1 win that evening seems to have sparked a revival for the team who finished in a historic seventh position last season, and they have since remained unbeaten.
This included a superb 2-2 draw away at high-flying Udinese, as well as a 4-1 thrashing of Cagliari.
The Azzurri would have been disappointed to have only drawn 1-1 at home to fellow relegation-battlers Reggina at the weekend, however they should nevertheless come into this Coppa Italia tie in good spirits.
Past Meetings
The last time the two teams met was of course in the first leg on December 6, when goals from Ignazio Abate and Nicola Pozzi gave Empoli a two-goal lead. However Vincenzo Iaquinta’s late strike could prove crucial in terms of eventual qualification.
In total the two sides have met on 16 occasions, with Juventus winning 11, drawing two and losing just three of these games. The last time the two teams met in Turin was on October 31 this campaign when David Trezeguet scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win for Juve.
Indeed the Frenchman seems to thrive playing against the Tuscans as he also scored a treble in a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw in 2004. Current Lazio star Tommaso Rocchi hit a hat-trick of his own that day for Empoli.
FORM GUIDE
Juventus
Catania 1-1 Juventus (Serie A) January 12
Juventus 2-0 Siena (Serie A) December 23
Lazio 2-3 Juventus (Serie A) December 15
Juventus 1-0 Atalanta (Serie A) December 9
Empoli 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia) December 6
Empoli
Empoli 1-1 Reggina (Serie A) January 12
Udinese 2-2 Empoli (Serie A) December 23
Empoli 1-1 Genoa (Serie A) December 16
Empoli 4-1 Cagliari (Serie A) December 9
Empoli 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia) December 6
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
It is virtually impossible to predict, with any accuracy, team line-ups in the Coppa Italia, but it certainly seems likely that Claudio Ranieri will rest some players from Saturday’s tough match at Catania.
Mauro Camoranesi, Jonathan Zebina and Jorge Andrade remain on the treatment table, while the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero and Pavel Nedved should sit out the game.
Empoli
Empoli are also likely to rest some key players, as it is self-explanatory that Serie A survival is far higher on their list of priorities right now.
Levan Mchedlidze and Juve-owned midfielder Claudio Marchisio are injured, while goalkeeper Daniele Balli is a doubt.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Palladino (Juventus)
The Neapolitan has burst onto the scene this season, and made his debut for the Italian national team in the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Faroe Islands in November. However he is still fourth in the Juve attacking pecking-order and has been used chiefly as a wide midfielder this campaign. The 23-year-old should get a chance to shine in his favoured forward position against Empoli.
Giovinco (Empoli)
The 20-year-old ‘Italian Lionel Messi’ is one of the hottest prospects in European football and is currently on loan at Empoli from Juventus. There has been a lot of talk in the Italian media about Giovinco returning to Turin next season, and the skilful attacking midfielder will be hoping to prove that he is mature enough to play for the Old Lady.
PREDICTION
So much depends on what teams respective Coaches Claudio Ranieri and Alberto Malesani field, however you simply have to favour the home side in this one.
Juventus 2-0 Empoli
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