Juventus will clash with Empoli today, February 2, 2025, at the Allianz Stadium as both teams look to regain form and points amid disappointing seasons. The Old Lady currently sits fifth in the Serie A standings, possessing 37 points but struggling to find consistency this season. Conversely, Empoli occupies the 16th spot with 21 points, making today’s match pivotal for both sides as they aim to improve their league positions.
Juventus has faced significant challenges this year, including early exits from various competitions and lackluster league performances. After suffering losses against Napoli and Benfica, and only managing to draw against Brugge, the team is eager to return to winning ways. Coach Thiago Motta expressed the need for victory, highlighting the importance of their home advantage: "I want us to win against Empoli. It is important to put forth a great performance at home. We’re not happy with recent results, and we must focus on the match and achieve success," he stated.
On the injury front, Juventus will miss key players, including Pierre Kalulu, leaving the squad to reorganize. Injuries have created several holes, but Motta insists on not using this as an excuse. "We must improve defensively and aim to limit situations where we concede goals," he added.
Empoli, on the other hand, will be without some players as well, including Saba Sazonov and Pietro Pellegri, both recovering from injuries. The team has had difficulties lately, enduring four consecutive matches without wins; they have lost to Lecce and Inter but managed to draw with Bologna. Despite their struggles, Empoli hopes to gain momentum against Juventus, especially since the Old Lady has had only eight Serie A wins out of 22 matches this season.
Historically, Juventus has been dominant against Empoli, winning 23 of their previous encounters. Out of 33 total matches, Empoli has only managed to best Juventus three times, bolstering the Old Lady’s confidence heading onto the pitch. This season, Juventus stands out as the only Serie A team undefeated at home, which makes today's match even more intriguing.
Players to watch today include Randal Kolo Muani for Juventus, who recently joined the team and is beginning to find his form, having scored against Napoli last week. Similarly, Empoli’s Sebastiano Esposito, on loan from Inter Milan, has shown promise, scoring eight times this season. Both forwards will be pivotal for their teams as they vie for goals.
The kick-off is set for 7:30 AM ET, with viewers able to catch the action on various networks across the globe, including fubo TV and Paramount+ in the U.S. and Galaxy Racer (GXR) World in India.
This match not only signifies three points on the line but also critically affects both teams' trajectories for the remainder of the season. The spotlight is on Juventus to prove they can overcome their recent woes and for Empoli to seize the moment and secure precious points away from home. With both sides desperate for points, fans can expect fierce competition at the Allianz Stadium.