Coppa Italia: Vlahovic misses penalty as Juventus suffers shock quarterfinal exit against Empoli

TURIN: Empoli beat Juventus 4-2 on penalties to advance to its first-ever Coppa Italia semifinal on Wednesday after a resilient performance helped it to hold the defending champion to a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Dusan Vlahovic missed Juve’s first attempt from the spot, sending his effort way over the bar before Empoli keeper Devis Vasquez denied Kenan Yildiz and Empoli defender Luca Marianucci sealed the win for the visitor.

Youssef Maleh gave Empoli a shock lead after 24 minutes, scoring with a powerful strike from outside the box before Khephren Thuram levelled for the struggling host after the hour mark with a stunning individual effort from a tight angle.

Empoli, which was playing in the competition’s quarterfinal for the first time since 2006-07, will face Bologna in a two-legged semifinal in April.

Inter Milan and AC Milan will play each other for the other spot in the final.

Forward Nicolas Gonzalez could have given Juventus a perfect start but failed to convert from a brilliant-headed pass by Kolo Muani two minutes into the game, sending his attempt from the edge of the area just over.

Confronted with a tight Empoli defence, the record 15-times winner showed little threat in the remainder of the first half and the visitor took the lead through Maleh’s effort.

The Morocco midfielder received a precise low pass before he found some space to unleash a powerful shot inside the left post.

Empoli remained disciplined at the back and Ismael Konate had an excellent chance to double the advantage on a counterattack just before the break but Juve keeper Mattia Perin did well to keep out his low shot.

The 18-year-old forward then hit the post in first-half stoppage time before the ball bounced away.

Thiago Motta’s men went off for the break accompanied by boos from the home fans after their 70% possession translated into zero shots on target and two attempts overall.

France midfielder Thuram found the equalizer shortly after break when he dribbled past the Empoli defence for a smooth finish.

Both sides stepped up their efforts in a nail-biting finish, where Vlahovic saw further chances thwarted while Empoli’s Christian Kouame struck just wide and Sambia blasted a good chance over in stoppage time as the game went into a penalty shootout.

Serie A struggler Empoli eliminated Fiorentina on penalties in the last 16 after beating Torino 2-1 in the second round.Winless in 11 consecutive league games, it was thrashed by Atalanta 5-0 at home last weekend and fell into the relegation zone. Agencies

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