Amidst a chorus of whistles, Teun Koopmeiners left the field after 54 minutes during the Coppa Italia match against Empoli. Juventus ultimately lost on penalties, and the Dutchman was not spared by the Italian media.
Teun Koopmeiners endured a night to forget in Juventus' Coppa Italia clash against Empoli, as the Dutch midfielder was subjected to heavy criticism following his disappointing performance.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Empoli eventually eliminating Juventus in a dramatic penalty shootout. For the Bianconeri, the loss was a significant setback in their quest for silverware, but for Koopmeiners, it was an even more painful evening, as his individual display came under intense scrutiny from both the media and the fans.
The Dutch international, who joined Juventus from Atalanta in the summer for a hefty fee of approximately €55 million, was given a starting role in midfield by head coach Thiago Motta. However, his performance was far from what was expected from a player of his price tag. Throughout the match, he struggled to assert himself, looking sluggish in possession and hesitant in his decision-making. Juventus, a club with high expectations and demanding supporters, saw their patience wear thin with the former AZ Alkmaar star, and by the time he was substituted in the 54th minute, he had become the target of relentless jeers from the stands.
One moment in particular encapsulated Koopmeiners' poor night. Attempting a seemingly simple move to control the ball on his chest and flick it over an opponent, he miscalculated entirely, sending the ball straight into his own face. The incident, described by Tuttosport as “almost embarrassing,” quickly went viral on social media, with the Italian outlet dubbing it the “GIF of the season.” The moment symbolized not only the Dutchman’s struggles in the match but also the frustration of Juventus fans, who expect their midfielders to be technically assured and composed under pressure.
The Italian media did not hold back in their post-match analysis. Tuttosport labeled his presence in the starting lineup as “absurd,” questioning why he was even on the pitch given his recent form. The newspaper went further by suggesting that Koopmeiners' performances were “getting worse and worse,” implying that his decline was becoming a serious concern. La Gazzetta dello Sport also pointed the finger at the Dutchman when analyzing Juventus’ uninspiring approach, particularly in the first half. Motta, without naming names, expressed his disappointment with the mentality displayed by his team, stating: “In the first half, we passed the ball back to the goalkeeper at least twenty times. We lost possession, stopped running, and looked at the ground as if the responsibility was not ours.” According to La Gazzetta, this criticism was largely directed at Koopmeiners, whose hesitancy in midfield contributed to Juventus’ slow and predictable buildup play.
The situation has raised serious concerns about Koopmeiners’ role at Juventus moving forward. Signed with high expectations, he was meant to bring stability, creativity, and control to the Bianconeri’s midfield. However, performances like the one against Empoli have cast doubt over whether he can truly thrive at the club. Juventus fans, known for their passionate and often unforgiving nature, have already begun to turn on the Dutchman. Tuttosport further criticized his display, stating, “He is terribly slow, sluggish, and uncertain. He barely touches the ball and always looks confused when he receives a pass. He was a ghost.”
Koopmeiners’ struggles come at a crucial time for Juventus, as the club faces increasing pressure to deliver results in multiple competitions. With the Serie A title race still ongoing and European ambitions to consider, Motta cannot afford to have underperforming players in key positions. While it is too early to completely write off the Dutchman’s chances at Juventus, he will need to show significant improvement in the coming weeks if he hopes to regain the trust of both his coach and the fans.
The backlash from the Empoli defeat could serve as a wake-up call for Koopmeiners. Whether he can respond positively and turn things around remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: in a club as demanding as Juventus, there is little room for prolonged struggles. If his performances do not improve soon, he risks becoming an expensive misfit in a team that is already under scrutiny for its inconsistent form.
