Juventus thump Salernitana to remain on course for another Coppa Italia crown

Juventus stayed on course for a record-extending 15th Coppa Italia title with a thumping 6-1 win against Serie A strugglers Salernitana in Turin.

The Allianz Stadium fell into stunned silence in the opening minute when Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi gave the visitors a shock lead.

But Juve hit back through Fabio Miretti and Andrea Cambiaso before the break and ran riot in the second half.

FT | | Into the #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa quarter-finals! #JuveSalernitana pic.twitter.com/wcWMCrd38X

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 4, 2024

Daniele Rugani, Dylan Bronn’s own goal, Kenan Yildiz and Timothy Weah all added to the scoring and Massimiliano Allegri’s side will now face Frosinone in the quarter-finals.

Salernitana head coach and former Juve striker Filippo Inzaghi’s side made a dream start against his former club as Ikwuemesi struck the opening goal in the first minute.

The Nigerian striker pounced on an error in the penalty area by defender Federico Gatti and buried a low finish into the bottom corner.

Juve goalkeeper Mattia Perin then denied Salernitana a second as he made a flying save to keep out Junior Sambia’s shot from outside the box, which was destined for the top corner.

But the Bianconeri, showing seven changes from last week’s home Serie A win against Roma, rode the early storm and hauled themselves level in the 12th minute.

Cambiaso’s headed pass inside the area picked out Miretti, who converted with a low, left-footed effort.

Juve were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute by referee Davide Ghersini, only for VAR to rule Sambia had fouled Gatti outside the box and a free-kick was awarded instead.

Federico Chiesa and Rugani were both thwarted by Salernitana goalkeeper Vincenzo Fiorillo as Juve built up a head of steam and after going close again through Chiesa and Adrien Rabiot’s header, the home side took the lead.

Magical Kenan