Empoli delivered a crushing blow to Hellas Verona’s Serie A survival hopes, securing a dominant 4-1 victory at the Bentegodi Stadium. Sebastiano Esposito was the standout performer, netting a spectacular brace that highlighted Empoli’s commanding display.
The match began dramatically with Pietro Pellegri’s early injury forcing a substitution within the first 10 minutes. Empoli quickly took control, with Esposito opening the scoring through a deflected shot that looped over goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò. Just three minutes later, he doubled the lead with a precise low strike after Tino Anjorin’s intelligent midfield interception.
Liberato Cacace extended Empoli’s advantage with a third goal that took a fortunate deflection, before Casper Tengstedt provided a momentary lifeline for Verona with a well-taken finish. Lorenzo Colombo put the final nail in Verona’s coffin with a clinical goal from outside the area.
The result continues Verona’s alarming slide down the Serie A table, marking their sixth defeat in seven matches. For Empoli, the victory provides a crucial boost in their battle against relegation, with Esposito emerging as the game’s decisive player.
Notably, the match saw several dramatic moments, including a VAR-overturned penalty and some last-ditch defensive efforts that prevented an even more comprehensive scoreline. Empoli’s performance will give them significant confidence as they look to climb away from the bottom of the table.
Goals: Esposito 16, 19 (E), Cacace 32 (E), Tengstedt 36 (V), Colombo 42 (E)
Verona (4-2-3-1): Montipò; Tchatchoua, Dawidowicz, Magnani, Bradaric (dal 35′ Ghilardi); Belahyane, Dani Silva (dal 59′ Kastanos); Suslov (dal 59′ Mosquera), Livramento (dal 46′ Harroui), Lazovic; Tengstedt (dall’80’ Sarr). All. Zanetti.
Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Maleh (dall’82’ Solbakken), Anjorin (dal 69′ Henderson), Pezzella (dal 69′ Pezzella); Cacace, Esposito (dall’82’ Marianucci); Pellegri (dal 10′ Colombo).
