SERIE A LIVE – Juventus v Empoli: Final score, highlights and reactions

SERIE A LIVE – Juventus v Empoli: Final score, highlights and reactions

Date: 28th August 2021 at 8:45pm
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Welcome to the Forza Italian Football live blog, as Juventus seek a first Serie A victory this season when they welcome newly promoted Empoli to the Allianz Stadium.

The Bianconeri squandered a two-goal lead to draw against Udinese last time out, and have since sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United, but coach Massimiliano Allegri is hoping for a better performance this time out.

Empoli, meanwhile, marked their return to the top flight with a 3-1 defeat to Lazio, but will be aiming to secure the scalp of their illustrious opponents in Turin.

Serie A LIVE – Juventus v Empoli: Final Score

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri to DAZN: “Tonight the team started well, after the goal we lost unity and we put ourselves in the hands of Empoli. It was necessary to have more calmness and patience, to play as a team and not as individuals.

“It’s not easy, we have one point after two games, but we have the time to improve and work on compactness.”

Empoli coach Aurelio Andreazzoli to DAZN: “I’m not interested in making history here, I think about the three points. Earning them against this team, in this stadium, is worth more. I told the boys that it can be done, we have two arms, two legs, one heart, just like them.”

Empoli midfielder Samuele Ricci to DAZN: “This evening means a lot to us, it’s a dream to come here and win at this stadium. I want to dedicate this victory to my father and the fans.

“We were very good, compact, we managed to struggle until the end to take the points home. We played our match, we had already played well against Lazio but today we were rewarded with the result.”

Rate the Juventus players

Juventus begin the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era with a shock home defeat against new boys Empoli, with few in the Bianconeri side impressing. We want to know what you thought of Juventus on such a difficult evening, with our interactive player ratings.

Post-Match Facts

  • Juventus have failed to win each of their first two Serie A seasonal matches only for the third time in their last 52 top-flight campaigns (after 2010/11 and 2015/16).
  • Juventus have lost their 10th Serie A home match since they play at the Stadium (2011/12) – they lost 30% of these games in 2021 (3/10).
  • Empoli have won their very first Serie A away meetings against Juventus, after 11 defeats and one draw in the previous 12 matches.
  • Juventus have lost two successive Serie A matches against promoted sides (Benevento in March and Empoli today) for the first time since 1999.
  • Juventus have lost two successive Serie A home matches against promoted sides for the first time since in their Italian top-flight history.
  • Empoli have won a Serie A meeting against Juventus for the first time since 1999 (1-0).
  • Empoli have scored an away Serie A goal against Juventus for the first time since January 2006 (Sergio Almirón), stopping a five-games run without scoring on the road against the Bianconeri.
  • Juventus have conceded at least one goal in nine successive home matches in all competitions for the first time since September 2011, under Antonio Conte.
  • Juan Cuadrado played tonight his 300th Serie A game, becoming only the third Colombian to reach this milestone in the three points for a win era, after Iván Córdoba (323) and Cristián Zapata (311).

Full Time – Juventus 0-1 Empoli

Empoli have stunned Juventus in their own stadium! A first half Mancuso goal is enough to hand the newly promoted side their first points of the season, but Juventus’ unconvincing start has gone from bad to worse. The Bianconeri saw most of the ball but rarely threatened enough. Huge win for the visitors though.

Minute 90+3 Huge save

Locatelli finds space in the box and fires in a low effort across goal, but Vicario is equal to it with a fingertip save around the post. Juventus’ frustrations mount as the referee awards a goalkick.

Minute 90 – Empoli on verge of famous win

The visitors need to see out five minutes of stoppage time as they close in on a first away win over Juventus. Andreazzolli urges his team to slow the play down and remain calm.

Minute 85 – Time running out for Juventus

With only five minutes of normal time remaining at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus still don’t look like finding an equaliser. Empoli are holding the ball up well now, can anyone step up and rescue the former champions?

Minute 80 – Into the final stages

Empoli are starting to get penned into their own half but Juventus still can’t find a way through. Bianconeri frustrations are showing and Bernardeschi is booked for dissent, whilst passes into the box are breaking down at the last.

Minute 70 – So close!

Kulusevski dances into the box and weaves his way to the byline before cutting back, but the sliding Locatelli can only knock the ball wide from close range. Juventus are throwing everything at Empoli.

Minute 66 – Succession of chances

Juventus are trying in vain to break through the Empoli defence, with Dybala and Chiesa forcing blocks, whilst Cuadrado jinks into the box and sees a low strike turned behind. Locatelli and Kulusevski are thrown on for Rabiot and Chiesa respectively.

Minute 60 – Dybala goes close

Empoli have stepped off on the hour mark and Dybala looks to take advantage with a bending effort from range, though the ball whistles over the bar. Cuadrado then wins a freekick in a good position, but Dybala’s delivery evades everyone in the crowded box.

Minute 55 – Empoli in the ascendancy

Juventus have made an uninspired start to the second half and Empoli have seen some decent chances, in addition to a couple of corners. Allegri turns to Bernardeschi in place of Rabiot as his side chase a leveller.

Minute 48 – Chances at both ends

Empoli come close to doubling their advantage early on as Cutrone cuts back for Haas in the box, but his shot is stopped at the near post. At the other end, Dybala skips clear and has the Empoli defence backing off, but his low effort is tame.

Second half begins

Empoli kick off for the second period, with Morata introduced in place of McKennie for Juventus after the US international failed to make an impact.

Half-time – Juventus 0-1 Empoli

Despite a strong start, Juventus find themselves behind courtesy of a good Mancuso finish. The hosts have lacked bite in attack and look laboured. They have a huge 45 minutes ahead of them to avoid a chastening defeat here.

Minute 43 – Empoli holding on

The visitors are getting pushed back into their own half as Juventus try to carve them open, but it’s a disjointed performance from Allegri’s men. At the other end, a Chiesa backward header forces his own keeper Sczcesny into action to prevent an own goal.

Minute 35 – Juventus fighting back

The Bianconeri have recovered somewhat now and are regaining control of the game, with Dybala going close and Cuadrado bending a freekick well wide. Can they find an equaliser before the break?

Minute 25 – Empoli pushing for second

The goal has sparked Empoli into life and they are enjoying plenty of the ball in midfield, with Mancuso skipping past Danilo with ease. It almost results in superb Cutrone goal from range, with the former Milan striker blasting just wide.

Minute 20 – GOAL EMPOLI

Having survived early scares, Empoli stun the home crowd. Juventus are caught out in midfield and Cutrone is in acres of space out wide to cross in, with the ball flicked on to Mancuso. A poor first touch is redeemed as he swivels and fires beyond Sczcesny. Game on! Juventus 0-1 Empoli.

Minute 13 – Huge save

Chiesa picks up the ball on the halfway line and drives forward before rifling in, forcing Vicario to dive down to his right and palm the ball wide, via the outside of the post. That’s a wonderful stop.

Minute 9 – Bianconeri threatening

Juventus are pressing high up the pitch and putting Empoli under pressure. It almost pays off as Bentancur steals the ball and finds Cuadrado on the edge of the box, but there’s nobody to tap in his low delivery across the face of goal.

Minute 4 – Early Juventus chance

Chiesa races through to meet a pass between the defence and the Italian international forces a corner with a bending effort. It has been all Juventus in the opening exchanges.

Kick-off at Allianz Stadium!

It’s a warm August evening in Turin and the teams are preparing to take to the pitch, with Empoli making the short journey north from Tuscany.

Juventus begin life without Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese superstar’s return to the Premier League. The Bianconeri have made changes in search of their first win in Serie A, can Empoli stop them in their tracks?

Serie A LIVE – Juventus v Empoli – Official Line-ups

After starring last weekend, Paulo Dybala continues in attack for Juventus and is joined by Weston McKennie and Federico Chiesa, whilst Danilo fills in at centre midfield.

Juventus: Sczcesny; Cuadrado, De Ligt, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Bentancur, Danilo, Rabiot; Chiesa, Dybala, McKennie

Empoli: Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Luperto, Marchizza; Haas, S Ricci; Bandinelli, Bajrami, Mancuso; Cutrone

Where can I watch Juventus v Empoli in Serie A?

In the UK, BT Sport have the rights to Serie A and will show around 200 games over the course of the season, with this game being shown on BT Sport 1 or on the BT Sport App. Paramount+ hold the rights in the USA, and CBS Sports Network will also be showing it. Meanwhile in Australia, beIN Sports is the official broadcaster.

How to follow Juventus v Empoli in the USA LIVE?

If you’re living in the USA, you can view the Juventus v Empoli fixture on Paramount+, with the station having signed a deal which gives them a significant portion of Serie A broadcasts for the 2021/22 season.

How to follow Juventus v Empoli in the UK LIVE?

If you’re living in the UK, you can view the Juventus v Empoli clash on BT Sport 2, with the subscription service having retained the rights to broadcast Serie A in 2021/22.

How to follow Juventus v Empoli in Australia LIVE?

Viewers in Australia can watch the Juventus v Empoli match on Tuesday morning on beIN Sports, which is the official broadcaster of the Italian top flight in Australia. You can also get access to Serie A matches on beIN Sports through either Foxtel, Telstra, Foxtel Now or Kayo Sports.

 

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