Currently, Juventus is presented with a remarkably favorable opportunity to advance to yet another Coppa Italia final. Given the current circumstances, the Coppa represents Juve’s most promising chance at securing silverware this season, which brings a glimmer of hope amidst the recent challenges the team has faced. The team’s performance in this prestigious tournament could serve to uplift their spirits and renew their competitive edge.

The tournament bracket has indeed aligned favorably for Juventus.

As we approach the quarterfinals, Juve aims to capitalize on this advantageous position.

Standing between Juventus and a two-legged Coppa Italia semifinal showdown with Bologna, Thiago Motta’s former team, is a quarterfinal match against an Empoli squad that has struggled significantly, failing to secure a win for nearly three months. This upcoming match on Wednesday night presents Juventus with a chance to face one of the weakest teams in Serie A, and a successful outcome would propel them into the semifinals. The path to the final in Rome appears considerably more manageable compared to the other bracket, which is heavily populated with strong Milanese contenders.

Indeed, this is the same Empoli team that Juventus recently defeated convincingly with a score of 4-1 just a few weeks ago. However, the way that match began will remain imprinted in our memories for quite some time. (Thanks to you, Mattia De Sciglio, for the unforgettable moment.)

Currently, Empoli is experiencing a dismal spell. They have plummeted down the Serie A table in recent months, going winless in their last 11 matches, with nine of those resulting in losses. Since De Sciglio scored against Juve at the Allianz on February 8, Empoli has failed to find the back of the net again. Their last three matches have ended with a staggering total of 10 goals conceded and none scored, with the latest defeat being a crushing 5-0 loss to Atalanta, who are also grappling with their own set of challenges.

In summary, since Empoli’s last victory on December 8, no team in Serie A has accumulated fewer points than Roberto D’Aversa’s struggling squad.

Consequently, as one might infer, Juventus is heavily favored to advance to the Coppa semifinals, given the atrocious form of their opponents since December.

However, the caveat is that Motta’s squad enters the Wednesday night quarterfinal at a time when their depth is far from optimal. This scenario typically calls for rotating the squad, but just as the injury situation seemed to improve, it has reverted to the earlier predicament where nearly half the squad was sidelined.

In the last week, three players — Renato Veiga, Andrea Cambiaso, and Douglas Luiz — have been forced to leave the pitch due to injury, while a fourth player, Nicolo Savona, is now expected to be unavailable for several weeks due to a muscle injury.

This predicament leaves Juventus’ already fatigued defense with no opportunity for rest during another midweek match. Instead of allowing players like Federico Gatti, who leads the team in minutes played by a wide margin, to rest, he will once again be called upon to anchor the defense.

Nevertheless, Empoli remains unfazed by Juventus’ injury woes. They are desperate for anything that can help them regain their form and mount a legitimate challenge to avoid relegation.

For Juventus, the objective on Wednesday night is clear: secure a place in the Coppa Italia semifinals. That’s the straightforward goal.

LATEST TEAM NEWS AND INJURY UPDATES FOR JUVENTUS

• Thiago Motta did not conduct a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, leaving some uncertainty about player conditions. However, it’s reasonable to expect several players will be sidelined due to injuries that emerged since last week.
• The two most notable names added to the injury list following the weekend’s matches are Douglas Luiz and Nicolo Savona, both suffering thigh injuries while playing against Cagliari and PSV Eindhoven, respectively.
• Additionally, Pierre Kalulu, Renato Veiga, and Arek Milik remain out of action for the foreseeable future due to injuries.
• Despite having to leave the match against Cagliari due to injury, Andrea Cambiaso is expected to start at left back, according to Italian media reports. If he cannot play, Jonas Rouhi will likely fill in, as there are limited alternatives available for that position.
• According to reports from Sky Italia, this match could see Motta field both Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani from the outset, with the latter likely playing on the right wing, similar to his positioning in the second half against Cagliari.
• As is customary in the Coppa Italia, Mattia Perin will start in goal, taking over for Michele Di Gregorio. This will mark only Perin’s second appearance in the 2025 calendar year, following his start in the Champions League league phase finale against Benfica last month.

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH: ANDREA CAMBIASO OF JUVENTUS

Since Thiago Motta did not hold a pre-match press conference, we rely on predicted lineups for insights regarding the team. A key focus will be on one of the remaining fullbacks available for selection.

Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

This is not a matter of “Juventus absolutely requires Andrea Cambiaso to defeat Empoli,” but rather a question of assessing how well Cambiaso can perform despite still possibly dealing with some ankle issues and having been forced off against Cagliari due to a minor hip injury.

Fortunately, unlike some other injured players recently, Cambiaso received positive news regarding his fitness and will not miss any time.

Given the limited options throughout the defense, Cambiaso’s availability is a significant boost for Juventus, regardless of whether they are facing Empoli in the Coppa Italia or a crucial Serie A clash. His presence is essential not only because he is a talented player but also due to the pressing need for natural fullbacks in the squad. While Timothy Weah has been doing commendable work, he is not a natural fit for the fullback role.

The questions surrounding Cambiaso’s performance include how he will adapt to playing on short rest for the first time in a while, how many minutes he can endure after starting his first match in a considerable time, and how much flexibility Motta will have given the need to manage Cambiaso’s fitness while also addressing the limited defensive options.

Maintaining Cambiaso’s health is crucial, as is preventing a shocking upset that could arise from Juventus being eliminated from the Coppa Italia. Balancing these priorities will present a challenge for Motta as he navigates the demands of the competition with one of his key players.

IMPORTANT MATCH DETAILS: JUVENTUS VS EMPOLI

When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Where: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy.

Official kickoff time: 9 p.m. local time in Italy and Central European time zone, 8 p.m. in the United Kingdom, 3 p.m. Eastern time, and 12 p.m. Pacific time.

HOW TO WATCH JUVENTUS VS EMPOLI LIVE

Television: TLN (Canada); Canale 5 (Italy).

Online/Streaming: Paramount+ (United States); fuboTV Canada (Canada); OneFootball.com (United Kingdom); Mediaset Infinity (Italy).

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