Empoli, decisive step in the race for salvation: 2-1 at Castellani

Empoli, May 10, 2025 – An important step in the race to avoid relegation . Empoli returns to victory after 5 months (the last success, 4-1 in Verona on December 8), beating Parma 2-1 at the “Castellani” in the advance of the third-last day of the Serie A championship. With this victory, the second at home after the one obtained on November 4, 2024 against Como , President Corsi's team rises to 28 points in the standings, in fourth-last position (but Lecce and Venezia have to play).

D'Aversa opts for Cacace up front and Marianucci in defence: Solbakken and Goglichidze remain on the bench initially. Important returns for the Azzurri: Grassi and Henderson in midfield, Esposito in attack. A nervous first half, with both teams wary: Parma plays manoeuvred football, Empoli relies on long throws and rapid counterattacks. In the 11th minute, Empoli takes the lead with their first real chance to score: Henderson's low corner from the right, Fazzini arrives on the run, coordinates very well and puts the ball in the net with a strong and precise right-footed shot.

In the 21st minute, Emilia was close to equalising: a cross from the right by Hainaut, Pellegrino was free to head the ball, but it went wide. The turning point came in the 31st minute: a serious blunder by Valenti , who had already been booked, who blatantly held Esposito at the edge of the area. Fabbri sent him off for a second booking. Parma was therefore left with one man down. The second half saw Parma grinding out the ball and Empoli passive. In the 12th minute, Henderson's dangerous shot was grazed by Keita , with the ball ending up in a corner.

Fazzini tries unsuccessfully on the corner. In the 28th minute, a cross from Hernani heads past the newly entered Djuric and beats Vasquez. In the 36th minute, a nice free kick from Hernani from the left, the Colombian goalkeeper punches it away. In the 38th minute, a left-footed shot from Marianucci ends up over the crossbar. In the 41st minute, Anjorin makes the “Castellani” explode with joy: a curling shot from distance that ends up in the top corner to the left of Suzuki. In the 50th minute, Konate goes on the counterattack, arrives within sixteen meters and tests the goalkeeper. Now the calendar is downhill for Empoli : Monza away and Verona at home. Staying in the top league is more than possible.

MATCH REPORT EMPOLI – PARMA 2-1 EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Marianucci, Ismaijli, Viti; Gyasi, Grassi (26' st Anjorin), Henderson (39' st Solbakken), Pezzella; Fazzini, Cacace (32' st Sambia); Esposito (39' st Konate). Subs: Silvestri, Seghetti, Brancolini, Goglichidze, Kovalenko, De Sciglio, Ebuehi, Tosto, Campaniello. Coach: D'Aversa. PARMA (3-4-2-1): Suzuki; Delprato, Leoni, Valenti; Hainaut, Keita, Sohm (20' st Hernani), Valeri; Bonny (32' st Balogh), Ondrejka (13' st Camara); Pellegrino (20' st Djuric). Subs: Marcone, Corvi, Benedyczak, Almqvistm Lovik, Circati, Haj, Plicco, Man. Coach: Chivu. REFEREE : Fabbri di Ravenna. SCORERS : 11' pt Fazzini; 28' Djuric, 41' st Anjorin. NOTES : serene evening. Valenti sent off in the 32' pt for adding two yellow cards. Yellow cards: Cacace, Viti. Corners: 4-0. Added time: 3', 5'. Gianluca Barni