20 May 2023
The penultimate away match in Serie A season 2022/23 is at Empoli, where Juventus have visited on 13 occasions. The hosts have won twice, as many matches have resulted in draws, while the Bianconeri have collected nine victories.
Let's take a walk down memory lane and recall some of the significant moments of a story that began in the '80s.
FLORENCE PLAYS HOST
Empoli first welcomed Juve on 28 September 1986 but due to renovation work at their own stadium, the Tuscan outift made the stadium in the nearby city of Florence their temporary home.
In the pictutre, we see Antonio Cabrini in action at the Artemio Franchi stadium. To match was decided by another defender, Sergio Brio.
BACK HOME
As is often the case, when the teams have taken to the pitch, there have been players that have worn the shirts of both clubs. One such example occured when Empoli and Juventus met again in 1998 after an 11-year hiatus.
The player in common for both sides was Alessandro Birindelli, who grew up at the Tuscan club but before moving to Turin that very season. The match ended in favour of the Lady, who edged the contest thanks to a goal from Fabio Pecchia.
SEASON'S BEGINNINGS
The Empoli-Juventus clash in season 2002/03 was played at the beginning of the campaign, on matchday 3. The Bianconeri emerged 2-0 victors with both goals netted by Alessandro Del Piero.
In the photo, Igor Tudor leaps at a corner. It was the Croatian defender that set up Del Piero's second goal. The first came from the spot after just six minutes of play.
TANGO TRIPLE
Instead, season 2016/17 Empoli-Juventus was decided after the interval. The hosts were swept aside at the Carlo Castellani stadium by an Argentine tango. Paulo Dybala opened the scoring, Gonzalo Higuain closed it, with a brace. The three goals came in the space of just five minutes midway throught the second period.
LEAP YEAR
The elevation of Cristiano Ronaldo has seen him hit headlines throughout his career. CR7's ability to rise to the occasion has decided many a match and on his first visit to Empoli the Portuguese emerged head and shoulders above the rest.
It was he who cancelled out Empoli's lead with a cool penalty finish. Then, he decided the contest with a screamer from distance that flew into the top corner.
