31 August 2023
It's time for the third instalment of our weekly trips back in time, diving into the pages of Hurra.
This week, with the Serie A calendar sending us to Empoli for our second away game of the season, it's only right to reflect on past games between Juventus and the Tuscans.
1986: The first Empoli-Juventus
On September 28, 1986, the first game between Empoli and Juventus was played, and with it came the first curiosity in the history of the fixture. Unable to play in Empoli, the game had to be held in Florence instead.
The photo above shows Antonio Cabrini in action in the game, but the match was settled by defender Sergio Brio.
That game in 1986 and this upcoming clash on Sunday, September 3, 2023, have a couple of things in common. The first is that both were Matchday 3 games, and the second is that both followed opening-day wins away in Udine - 2-0 in 1986/87 and 3-0 in 2023/24.
2002: Alex takes care of things at the Castellani
In 2002/03, Empoli-Juventus was played early in the season. On this case, though, it fell on Matchday 2.
The pages of Hurra read:
"A Tuscany filled with strong football teams has Empoli back after an excellent season in Serie B."
The Azzurri - again as per Hurra - were a side in transformation and with a good tradition against Juventus, having won two of the four home games they played against the Bianconeri.
But, on this occasion it was Alessandro Del Piero who settled things. He broke Empoli's hold on Juventus, and Marcello Lippi's Bianconeri won 2-0.
Hurra paid tribute to Alex's impact:
"After the 3-0 win at Atalanta, this time it was Serie A newcomers Empoli who fell to the Italian champions. Just like he did against the Bergamaschi, Del Piero spoiled the opponents' party with another brace."
They then went further on the No.10's excellent start to the campaign:
"It wasn't easier to do better than last year, but Del Piero has done it. Twelve months ago he scored three goals in his first two games, and this time out he has four, with braces against both Atalanta and Empoli. From the off, he is out in front of the scoring charts and is enjoying extraordinary form. At the Castellani he showed, as well as the penalty converted, his trademark feat of putting a precise right-footed strike right where he wants it."
At the end of that 2002/03 season, Juventus were celebrating their 27th Scudetto.
