D’Aversa: ‘Empoli wrote history, but not expecting Juventus elimination’ | OneFootball

Empoli are in the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in their history and coach Roberto D’Aversa admits he was ‘not expecting’ them to eliminate holders Juventus on penalties.

The Tuscans were coming off a disastrous run of Serie A form, managing just two points from their last 11 games, and rotated the squad to leave out many of their first-choice players.

Nonetheless, they had taken the lead at the Allianz Juventus Stadium with Youssef Maleh’s strike and should’ve had a second with Ibrahima Konate’s angled drive thumping the inside of the upright.

A moment of magical skill from Khephren Thuram got Juve back on track, but just like against Fiorentina, Empoli were clinical in the penalty shoot-out to eliminate the holders.

“The lads wrote a page in the history books for this club and we can use this for our Serie A future, because we’ve got a crucial game coming up this weekend in Genoa,” D’Aversa told Mediaset.

This same team was crushed 5-0 at home by Atalanta last weekend in Serie A, sending them into the bottom four.

D’Aversa stunned by amazing Empoli

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: The Empoli team celebrates after Luca Marianucci of Empoli scored the decisive penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between Juventus FC and Empoli FC at Allianz Stadium on February 26, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“We were coming off a heavy defeat, so I asked the lads to give a response with their pride and they went above and beyond that. We will enjoy this wonderful achievement, also considering there were three players who were products of our youth academy.

“I hope this will show the players that if they approach games with this attitude every time, then we will certainly achieve our objective.”

Empoli had never reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals before and will be up against Bologna, while the other tie is between Inter and Milan.

“During the penalties, the lads were calm like veterans, despite there being so many youngsters in the side. It was a difficult moment and I won’t lie, I was not expecting this. Taking those penalties under the end with the Juventus ultras was all the more remarkable.

“We take this wonderful qualification, but also the confidence that the result will give us going forward.”

D’Aversa had overseen a very strong start to the season, though their performances and results have rather petered out recently.

“It is not a coincidence that Ismajli came back today and brought some solidity to the defence, because he allows us to be aggressive and courageous, he directs the defence. If you play with a three-man defence and are missing two of them, that makes a big difference.

“In any case, we seek no alibis and I was really impressed by Bacci, a product of our youth academy.”