Empoli-Juventus is a match of the thirty-sixth day of Serie A and is played on Monday at 8:45 p.m.: lineups, predictions, TV and streaming.
Day of pathos for Juventus, which just before taking the field in Empoli against a team that has already clinched arithmetic salvation could see its ranking revolutionized again. In fact, the Bianconeri’s “match” is being played on two fronts: one is the “Castellani,” the other that of the Figc Court of Appeals, apparently intent on sending Massimiliano Allegri’s men back out of the top six for the capital gains case.
The match against the Azzurri risks being almost irrelevant for the purposes of qualifying for the next Champions League, with the Old Lady who with 10 or more penalty points would return seventh as they were a month ago before the momentary restitution. And at that point the only goal would be damage control, racing for a place in the Conference or Europa League. But beyond the judicial vicissitudes, this will certainly not be remembered as a good season, especially after the elimination suffered last Thursday in the Europa League against Sevilla. Having taken the lead in the second half through Vlahovic, the Bianconeri let themselves be remounted by the Andalusians, who got the better of them in extra time thanks to two old Serie A acquaintances like Suso and Lamela. Winning the cup could have been a way of saving this troubled year in extremis, as well as securing a pass for the Champions League. Of satisfaction, in short, there is no more on the horizon, even if Allegri keeps us close with three wins out of three.
Empoli, goal achieved
Empoli, like a year ago, saved itself several days in advance: the tie with Sampdoria last Monday was decisive, with Piccoli retaking the Doriani in full recovery.
Piccoli’s exultation in Genoa
In fact, even losing at Marassi, the Tuscans would have been saved last weekend without even taking the field, if we take into account that neither Spezia nor Lecce won. The Azzurri have thus been unbeaten for three days: two wins in a row against Bologna and Salernitana and a draw with Samp, always finding the way of the goal. Empoli boasts an excellent domestic performance: at home they have won 25 of their 39 total points and their last defeat in front of their fans was a month ago, when they surrendered 3-0 to Inter. However, for Juventus, fresh off three consecutive league victories (Lecce, Atalanta and Cremonese), the “Castellani” has been a land of conquest for years now: Empoli, in fact, has managed to get the better of the Bianconeri only once (August 2021) in the last 19 confrontations played in Serie A.
UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: The FIGC Prosecutor’s Office has asked for 11 penalty points for Juventus. A ruling is expected in the evening.
Empoli-Juventus: latest news on lineups
Zanetti said goodbye to Baldanzi, engaged in the World Under-20 Championship with the Italian national team, and without him he could switch to a 4-2-3-1 with Akpa Akpro, Fazzini and Cambiaghi behind Caputo. Grassi and Bandinelli should play in the midfield instead. Absent is Marin, who is in the infirmary along with Walukiewicz and former duty player De Winter.
Many absences also for Juventus, which in the semifinal in Seville lost Fagioli, who has already undergone surgery for a fracture of the right collarbone, In addition to the product of the nursery, De Sciglio, Bonucci, Pogba and the disqualified Danilo and Cuadrado will also be missing from the roll call. On the right, Allegri plans to give space to young Barbieri, while in attack Kean will flank Milik.
The prediction
Empoli hasn’t beaten Juventus at home since way back in 2007 and is unlikely to avoid defeat in a match in which the Bianconeri will try to vent frustration over their elimination from the cup but also over notorious off-field events. In view of a new penalty, Allegri’s team must try everything to avoid staying out of the cups. The total goals could be at least two.
The probable lineups of Empoli-Juventus
- EMPOLI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Grassi, Bandinelli; Akpa Akpro, Fazzini, Cambiaghi; Caputo.
- JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Perin; Gatti, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Barbieri, Miretti, Paredes, Locatelli, Kostic; Kean, Milik.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
