Match report

Empoli and Cesena Draw Even in Serie B Clash (1-1)

Empoli
Empoli
1–1
FT
Cesena
Cesena
Feb 28, 2026

In a closely contested Serie B game, Empoli held off Cesena to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw at their home ground. The match saw early pressure from Cesena culminating in C. Shpendi's opening goal. Despite the setback, Empoli showed resilience and equalized through D. Fila late in the first half.

Key Facts

  • • Cesena took an early lead with a goal from C. Shpendi at 29 minutes.
  • • Empoli's D. Fila found the back of the net to level the score at 61 minutes.
  • • A. Cerri received a yellow card for Cesena in the 41st minute.
  • • Empoli made five substitutions, including key changes with E. Saporiti and R. Ilie coming on.

Lineups

Empoli

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 21 Andrea Fulignati (G)
  • 34 Gabriele Guarino (D)
  • 20 Matteo Lovato (D)
  • 5 Nosa Edward Obaretin (D)
  • 24 Tyronne Ebuehi (M)
  • 6 Duccio Degli Innocenti (M)
  • 32 Nicolas Haas (M)
  • 25 Lorenzo Ignacchiti (M)
  • 27 Brando Moruzzi (M)
  • 11 Stiven Shpendi (F)
  • 19 Marco Nasti (F)

Substitutes

  • 70 Edoardo Saporiti
  • 1 Samuele Perisan
  • 12 Manuel Gasparini
  • 28 Gabriele Indragoli
  • 4 Simone Romagnoli
  • 26 Antonio Candela
  • 2 Marco Curto
  • 14 Gerard Yepes
  • 10 Rareș Ilie
  • 99 Flavio Bianchi
  • 17 Daniel Fila
  • 77 Bogdan Popov

Cesena

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 33 Jonathan Klinsmann (G)
  • 15 Andrea Ciofi (D)
  • 19 Giovanni Zaro (D)
  • 26 Matteo Piacentini (D)
  • 11 Riccardo Ciervo (M)
  • 70 Matteo Francesconi (M)
  • 4 Michele Castagnetti (M)
  • 25 Dimitri Bisoli (M)
  • 99 Gianluca Frabotta (M)
  • 7 Alberto Cerri (F)
  • 9 Cristian Shpendi (F)

Substitutes

  • 40 Luca Ferretti
  • 1 Alessandro Siano
  • 24 Massimiliano Mangraviti
  • 16 Peter Amoran
  • 10 Simone Bastoni
  • 18 Matteo Guidi
  • 27 Tommaso Corazza
  • 35 Davide Zamagni
  • 17 Ibrahima Papa Wade
  • 22 Giacomo Vrioni
  • 14 Tommaso Berti
  • 32 Marco Olivieri

Timeline

  1. Cesena
    29' Cesena Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Shpendi · Assist: A. Cerri
  2. Cesena
    41' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    A. Cerri
  3. Empoli
    46' Empoli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Ignacchiti · On: E. Saporiti
  4. Empoli
    59' Empoli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Nasti · On: D. Fila
  5. Empoli
    60' Empoli subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Haas · On: R. Ilie
  6. Cesena
    61' Cesena subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Cerri · On: G. Vrioni
  7. Empoli
    71' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Fila · Assist: S. Shpendi
  8. Empoli
    73' Empoli subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Ebuehi · On: A. Candela
  9. Cesena
    77' Cesena subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Bisoli · On: T. Berti
  10. Cesena
    77' Cesena subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Shpendi · On: M. Olivieri
  11. Cesena
    77' Cesena subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Ciofi · On: M. Guidi
  12. Cesena
    83' Cesena subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Ciervo · On: P. Amoran
  13. Empoli
    87' Empoli subst · Substitution 5
    Off: D. Degli Innocenti · On: Gerard Yepes

Match Stats

Stat Empoli Cesena
Fouls 6 16
Pass Accuracy 86% 75%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 26 8
Corners 11 1
Total Passes 509 291
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 11 1
Shots on Target 4 3
xG 2.24 1.47
Shots off Target 11 4
Possession 65% 35%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 436 217
Shots Inside Box 20 7
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 6 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Cesena's early goal by C. Shpendi set the tone for the match but didn't deter Empoli.
  • ▸ Empoli's equalizer from D. Fila at 61 minutes marked a shift in momentum and showcased their determination to stay competitive.