Motta ´ashamed´ after Juventus lose on penalties to Empoli in Coppa Italia

Juventus head coach Thiago Motta was left ashamed after his side were knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the quarter-final at home to Empoli on penalties.

The visitors took the lead with a brilliant goal by Youssef Maleh in the first half, with Juventus’ performance level well below par. While Khephren Thuram got them level in the second half, they were ultimately beaten 4-2 after a penalty shootout.

In his post-match press conference, Motta took aim at his players.

“Shame. I feel shame for what we saw in the first half and I hope my players feel the same,” he said.

“The attitude was shameful. Maybe I am wrong because I did not make the players understand the importance of this game and the importance of wearing the Juventus shirt. We made a mistake and that’s why we’re not in the semi-final.”

Thuram’s equaliser came after an impressive piece of skill, but counted for nothing in the end after Dusan Vlahovic missed a chance to win the match in normal time and then missed the opening penalty.

Kenan Yildiz later saw his spot-kick saved by Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez, leaving Luca Marianucci to secure a historic victory for the visitors.

Full-time at the Allianz Stadium.#JuveEmpoli #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa pic.twitter.com/WKZRFFvtyx

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 26, 2025

“Now we have to start again, give everything in training, give everything to each other and respect the place and the history you are in,” said Motta, urging his players to refocus.

Empoli were promoted from Serie B after winning the title in 2021 and have made it to the Coppa Italia semi-final for the first time since 2006-07, where they will face Bologna.

Their form in the cup is at odds with their league record, where they have gone 11 straight matches without a victory and were recently beaten 5-0 by Atalanta. They had previously knocked out Fiorentina on penalties in the last 16 after a 2-1 victory over Torino in the second round.

The other semi-final will be another edition of the Derby della Madonnina as Inter face AC Milan.