Great dismay for the young Empoli who believed they could beat Juventus in their home stadium.  Well, sadly for them, Juventus woke up on time and took control of the situation since the first minute.

You can tell that Juventus was hurt when they started the match energized and determined to show a lesson to the young Empoli on "who really is the boss."  Simply put, who's daddy.

In the 4th minute, Marco Marchionni gives Juventus the lead blasting Empoli goalkeeper Bassi.

Juventus 1 - 0 Empoli.

In the 10th minute,the great midfielder Pavel Nedved after a pass from Cristiano Zanetti to Marchionni to NEDVED who was in the right place and in the right moment to score Juve's second goal. 

Juventus 2 - 0 Empoli.

Juventus 2 - 1 Empoli.

Just when  the first half was about to end, guess what.  Well, the  one and only Nicola Pozzi  equalized the match heading the ball to give a ray of hope to Empoli fans and a headache to Juventus fans.

Juventus 2 - 2 Empoli.

Challenge was for Juventus to score two more goals to pass to the quarter finals taking in consideration the overall result. So, it was up to Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri to come up with an effective strategy in the second half.  This is no joking time, but all war to be the first team to win the first Silver Star.

Second half starts and you bet Juventus players got the message LOUD AND CLEAR "Win or win."  In the 50th minute, forward Vincenzo Iaquinta giving  Juve the victory.

Juventus 3 - 2 Empoli.

Yet, not so fast, here Juve still needed one more goal to qualify to the next round and confront the "unstoppable and rival FC Inter." 

I could not believe it when Juventus were still celebrating Iaquinta's goal, there you go. The young Nicola Pozzi pour a cold shower when he scored in the 51st minute!   Juventus 3 - 3 Empoli.

Now, we are talking!  Who could save JUVE???? Will Ranieri use Trezeguet?  Del Piero? or Iaquinta continue to battle the war for 90 minutes?

It was Iaquinta's time!  Right in the 61st minute, again, the power of Vincenzo Iaquinta was felt and Empoli goalkeeper Bassi could not do anything than just observe Iaquinta's celebration.

Juventus 4 - 3 Empoli.

Ok guys, now, one more goal and history could be written for Juventus.

In the 65th minute, Juventus Coach Ranieri decides to substitute forward Raffaele Palladino for the one and only JUVE FLAG "Alessandro Del Piero." Awesome.  It was up to Iaquinta and Del Piero.  Most of all, team work, all Juve needed to be compacted and score one more goal.

After a foul committed on Vincenzo Iaquinta, Referee Gervasoni grants a penalty to Juventus.  Here comes the glorious moment. Is either now or never.  Del Piero takes position to execute the penalty.  You bet, right in the 78th minute, it is goal.... JUVE celebrates and Empoli see their dream shattered, Del Piero blasted Empoli goalkeeper breaking the big mirror of illusion.

Juventus 5 - 3 Empoli.

I was expecting a great perfomance from Empoli Nicola Pozzi.  Nothing to say but POZZi did not disappoint me after scoring 2 goals!  Just amazing! 

The match ends with the big headline "Juventus against Inter."  Now, can Juventus beat Inter?  Will Roberto Mancini use his main starting lineup against Juve in la Coppa Italia?  I will be cheering for Juventus, how about you?

 LINEUPS:

2007/08 Coppa Italia TIM Italian Cup. Third round - Second leg
Turin, Olimpico Stadium. Tuesday January 15 2008
REFEREE: Gervasoni from Mantova.

JUVENTUS-EMPOLI 5-3 (2-2)

GOALS: 4' Marchionni, 10' Nedved, 33' Marianini, 45', 51' Pozzi; 50', 61' Iaquinta, 78' Del Piero (pen).

JUVENTUS:

Goalkeeper: Emanuele Belardi;
Defenders: Birindelli, Grygera, Giorgio Chiellini (20' Boumsong), Molinaro;
Midfielders: Marchionni, Tiago ('46 Salihamidzic, Marchionni, Zanetti, Nedved;
Forwards:  Raffaele Palladino (65' Alessandro Del Piero), Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Subs not used:  Gigi Buffon, Castiglia, Esposito, David Trezeguet.

Coach:  Claudio Ranieri.

EMPOLI:

Goalkeeper: Bassi ('46 Balli);
Defenders: Raggi, Adani, Pratali, Antonini;
Midfielders: Abate ('67 Buscè), Piccolo ('61 Marianini, Moro, Tosto; Vannucchi;
Forwards: Pozzi.

Subs not used: Ascoli, Marzoratti, Giovinco, Saudati. Manager: Malesani.

YELLOW CARDS: Zanetti 27 mins, Piccolo 50 mins, Pozzi 67 mins, Balli 73 mins, Marianini 75 mins.