Match report

Catanzaro Stuns Empoli 3-2 in Thrilling Serie B Clash

Catanzaro
Catanzaro
3–2
FT
Empoli
Empoli
Mar 8, 2026

Catanzaro staged a remarkable comeback to stun Empoli 3-2 in a thrilling Serie B match at Stadio Cesare Mori. Empoli, who took an early two-goal lead through S. Elia and M. Nasti, saw their advantage evaporate as Filippo Pittarello scored twice for Catanzaro, with T. Cassandro netting the winner to secure a crucial victory for the hosts.

Key Facts

  • • Empoli scored twice in the first 15 minutes through S. Elia and M. Nasti
  • • Filippo Pittarello scored two goals for Catanzaro, one in the 56th and another in the 63rd minute
  • • T. Cassandro netted the winning goal in the 73rd minute
  • • Empoli had two yellow cards in the first half
  • • Catanzaro had a yellow card to Matias Antonini in the second half

Lineups

Catanzaro

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 22 M. Pigliacelli (G)
  • 84 T. Cassandro (D)
  • 4 Matias Antonini (D)
  • 23 N. Brighenti (D)
  • 27 C. Favasuli (M)
  • 10 J. Petriccione (M)
  • 20 S. Pontisso (M)
  • 77 M. D'Alessandro (M)
  • 14 M. Liberali (F)
  • 9 P. Iemmello (F)
  • 8 F. Pittarello (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 C. Marietta
  • 21 M. Pompetti
  • 98 D. Buglio
  • 62 R. Frosinini
  • 30 G. Alesi
  • 5 E. Bashi
  • 6 Fellipe Jack
  • 39 N. Koffi
  • 26 B. Verrengia
  • 2 G. Esteves
  • 19 P. Nuamah
  • 32 F. Rispoli

Empoli

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 21 A. Fulignati (G)
  • 2 M. Curto (D)
  • 34 G. Guarino (D)
  • 5 N. Obaretin (D)
  • 15 J. Ceesay (M)
  • 8 L. Magnino (M)
  • 14 G. Yepes (M)
  • 7 S. Elia (M)
  • 70 E. Saporiti (F)
  • 10 R. Ilie (F)
  • 19 M. Nasti (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 S. Perisan
  • 12 M. Gasparini
  • 17 D. Fila
  • 28 G. Indragoli
  • 4 S. Romagnoli
  • 24 T. Ebuehi
  • 32 N. Haas
  • 26 A. Candela
  • 99 F. Bianchi
  • 25 L. Ignacchiti

Timeline

  1. Empoli
    1' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Elia · Assist: M. Curto
  2. Empoli
    15' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Nasti · Assist: L. Magnino
  3. Empoli
    17' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    Gerard Yepes

    Foul

  4. Empoli
    24' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    L. Magnino

    Foul

  5. Empoli
    46' Empoli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Gerard Yepes · On: N. Haas
  6. Empoli
    46' Empoli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Elia · On: A. Candela
  7. Catanzaro
    56' Catanzaro Goal · Normal Goal
    Filippo Pittarello
  8. Empoli
    58' Empoli subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Ilie · On: L. Ignacchiti
  9. Catanzaro
    63' Catanzaro Goal · Normal Goal
    Filippo Pittarello · Assist: P. Iemmello
  10. Empoli
    66' Empoli subst · Substitution 4
    Off: E. Saporiti · On: D. Fila
  11. Catanzaro
    72' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Liberali · On: P. Nuamah
  12. Catanzaro
    73' Catanzaro Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Cassandro · Assist: Filippo Pittarello
  13. Catanzaro
    84' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Pontisso · On: M. Pompetti
  14. Catanzaro
    84' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 4
    Off: P. Iemmello · On: R. Frosinini
  15. Empoli
    84' Empoli subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Curto · On: F. Bianchi
  16. Catanzaro
    86' Catanzaro Card · Yellow Card
    Matias Antonini

    Foul

  17. Catanzaro
    90'+1 Catanzaro subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Filippo Pittarello · On: N. Koffi

Match Stats

Stat Catanzaro Empoli
Fouls 9 26
Pass Accuracy 90% 75%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 16 5
Corners 9 1
Total Passes 555 322
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 6 2
xG 1.95 0.78
Shots off Target 6 2
Possession 64% 36%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 497 242
Shots Inside Box 10 3
Saves 0 3
Shots Outside Box 6 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Empoli's early two-goal lead was overturned in the second half with Filippo Pittarello scoring twice in quick succession to level the score
  • ▸ The game's momentum shifted decisively in Catanzaro's favor when T. Cassandro scored the winning goal in the 73rd minute, securing a crucial three points for the hosts in Serie B