Coppa Italia 2024: Sassuolo Upset Lecce, Empoli Victory against Torino, Cagliari Advances

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Coppa Italia 2024 action was immense as Sassuolo, Empoli, and Cagliari secure their spots in the Round of 16.

Coppa Italia 2024

The Coppa Italia Round of 32 kicked off with some thrilling football, with three teams securing their spots in the next stage. Serie B side Sassuolo stunned Lecce, while Empoli outlasted Serie A leaders Torino in a dramatic contest. Meanwhile, Cagliari claimed a hard-fought victory over Cremonese to reach the next round. These results have set up exciting Round of 16 ties, with Sassuolo facing AC Milan, Cagliari taking on Juventus, and Empoli gearing up for a Tuscan derby against Fiorentina. Here’s a complete recap of the action from the second round so far.

Sassuolo Shocks Lecce to Set Up Milan Clash

One of the standout results of the second round came from Sassuolo, who pulled off a 2-0 victory over Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare. Although Sassuolo entered this Coppa Italia match as underdogs, they delivered a confident performance to book their place in the Round of 16, where they’ll face AC Milan.

Sassuolo’s game plan was clear from the start: remain disciplined in defense and exploit Lecce’s mistakes. The visitors took control early in the match, and their persistence paid off when they grabbed the lead just before halftime. Domenico Berardi played a crucial role, setting up the first goal with a perfectly timed pass to Andrea Pinamonti, who calmly slotted the ball past Lecce’s goalkeeper.

Lecce tried to mount a comeback in the second half, but Sassuolo’s defense stood strong. With Lecce pushing forward, Sassuolo exploited the spaces left behind and doubled their lead late in the game through a breakaway goal by Maxime Lopez. This victory means Sassuolo will face one of the toughest challenges yet—Milan—in the next round, a match that will surely test their ambitions in this competition.

Cagliari Sees Off Cremonese to End Winless Run

Cagliari, who have struggled in Serie A with a five-match winless streak, finally found their rhythm in the Coppa Italia. The Sardinian side managed a narrow 1-0 win over Cremonese, thanks to a goal from their talisman, Gianluca Lapadula. This victory not only boosted their morale but also secured them a spot in the Round of 16, where they’ll face a daunting Juventus side.

The match itself was a gritty affair, with few clear-cut chances for either team. Cagliari’s determination to break their poor form was evident from the start, and they were rewarded when Lapadula capitalized on a defensive mix-up by Cremonese to score the only goal of the match.

Cremonese fought hard to find an equalizer but were unable to break down Cagliari’s defense, with goalkeeper Boris Radunović making several crucial saves. Cagliari will need to carry this fighting spirit into their clash against Juventus if they are to continue their Coppa Italia journey.

Empoli vs Torino

Empoli Stuns Torino with Late Winner

Arguably the most dramatic game of the round came from the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, where Empoli pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Serie A leaders Torino. Empoli, currently enjoying a fantastic start to the Serie A season, showed once again why they are a team to be reckoned with this year.

The visitors took an early lead through Emmanuel Ekong, who pounced on a loose ball in the box to put Empoli ahead. Torino, who have been in excellent form in Serie A, responded in the second half with an equalizer from Ché Adams. The goal ignited the home crowd, and it seemed Torino might take control of the match.

However, Empoli had other ideas. With the game heading towards extra time, Nicolas Haas fired home a dramatic late winner to secure Empoli’s passage to the next round. The result means that Empoli will now face Fiorentina in what promises to be a fiercely contested Tuscan derby in the Round of 16.

What’s Next in the Coppa Italia 2024?

With Sassuolo, Empoli, and Cagliari already through, the next few days will see even more thrilling Coppa Italia action. The Genoa derby between Genoa and Sampdoria is set for Wednesday, and on Thursday, Antonio Conte’s Napoli will take on Palermo. These matches will determine the remaining teams to join the Round of 16, which is shaping up to be one of the most exciting phases of the competition.

In the next round, the spotlight will be on Sassuolo’s clash with AC Milan, as well as Cagliari’s daunting test against Juventus. Empoli’s tie with Fiorentina also promises plenty of excitement, given the recent form of both sides in Serie A.

Looking Ahead

The Coppa Italia never fails to deliver surprises, and the second round of the 2024 edition was no exception. Sassuolo’s shock win over Lecce, Empoli’s late winner against Torino, and Cagliari’s hard-fought victory against Cremonese have set up intriguing Round of 16 ties. With big names like AC Milan, Juventus, and Fiorentina awaiting these underdogs, the stage is set for more thrilling football in the weeks to come.

Stay tuned for more Coppa Italia action as the competition heats up, and don’t miss the chance to see which teams continue their journey toward silverware.

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