Deflated and deducted Juventus downed by impressive Empoli as European dreams fade
Prior to kick-off, Juventus were rocked by the news that they had been handed a 10-point deduction following a new investigation into their past transfer dealings, all but ending their hopes of Champions League football next season and seeing them plummet from second to seventh.
Despite this crushing setback, the visitors had the game’s first two opportunities, with Filip Kostic’s effort from the edge of the area well saved by Guglielmo Vicario, before a skirmish inside the area resulted in the ball being prodded home by Manuel Locatelli, however, referee Giovanni Ayroldi decisively ruled it out for a foul in the build-up.
This proved to be a big moment as, only four minutes later, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Arkadiusz Milik clipped Nicolo Cambiaghi just inside the area.
Francesco Caputo, who had scored the winner in two of his side’s last three wins, made no mistake from the spot to give Empoli the lead.
Juventus had failed to win on six of their last seven away outings, and things got doubly worse shortly after when the traditionally goal-shy Sebastiano Luperto fired home on the angle after the ball had landed at his feet from Wojciech Szczesny’s save.
If nothing else, Massimiliano Allegri would have been desperate to see his team stay in the contest in the early stages of the second half.
However, they weren’t capable of doing so, as three minutes after the restart, Empoli won the ball back and Akpa Akpro broke down the right side before squaring to Caputo, who just beat Szczesny and Federico Gatti to the ball to divert it home for his second goal of the night.
The Old Lady were clearly still suffering from the effects of their agonising extra-time defeat to Sevilla in the semi-finals of the Europa League last week, and after Federico Chiesa had pulled a goal back, Roberto Piccoli found the net in stoppage time to cap a memorable night for the Tuscan side.
The result, which sees the Gli Azzurri extend their unbeaten top-flight record on Mondays to an impressive six matches, helps them to consolidate 14th place, while Juventus are now a point behind Roma, who currently occupy the final European place with just two games remaining.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Francesco Caputo (Empoli)
