Empoli’s injury woes have deepened as former Torino striker Pietro Pellegri becomes the latest casualty in a growing list of absentees. Pellegri, who had recently found form with three goals in as many matches, suffered a devastating ACL rupture during last week’s game against Verona. This setback will sideline him for several months, adding to the striker’s injury-plagued career.
The Tuscan side’s medical room is already crowded, with Szymon Zurkowski, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov, Nicolas Haas, and Jacopo Fazzini all unavailable due to various injuries. To compound matters, Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson is suspended for the upcoming match, while Alberto Grassi remains doubtful with an ankle problem.
In light of these absences, Inter-owned Sebastiano Esposito, now Empoli’s top scorer with four goals, is expected to feature prominently in the attack. He’ll likely be supported by Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo as the Azzurri look to maintain their offensive threat.
Torino, their opponents, are not without their own injury concerns. The Granata will be missing long-term absentees Duvan Zapata and Perr Schuurs, while Ivan Ilic is sidelined with a hamstring issue. There’s uncertainty surrounding Nikola Vlasic’s involvement after he was surprisingly benched for the entire 0-0 draw against Genoa. However, strikers Che Adams and Antonio Sanabria are anticipated to lead the line once again, despite their recent goal-scoring struggles.
Empoli (3-5-2): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Anjorin, Maleh, Cacace, Pezzella; Esposito, Colombo
Torino (3-5-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Coco, Masina; Pedersen, Vlasic, Ricci, Gineitis, Lazaro; Adams, Sanabria
