Match report
Empoli 2–2 Mantova: A Frustrating Draw in Serie B
Empoli
2–2
FT
Mantova
Mar 14, 2026
In a tightly contested match in Serie B, Empoli managed to hold off Mantova, securing a 2-2 draw despite trailing twice in the first half. Mantova's early goals from D. Bragantini and Stefano Cella seemed to set the tone, but Empoli's resilience, with goals from S. Shpendi and E. Saporiti, ensured they left the field with a point.
Key Facts
- • Mantova led 2-0 after goals by D. Bragantini (21') and Stefano Cella (37')
- • Empoli's S. Shpendi (50') and E. Saporiti (84') scored to draw level
- • Empoli's L. Magnino and R. Ilie received yellow cards, as did Mantova's D. Bragantini and Francesco Bardi
- • Empoli substituted Nosa Edward Obaretin, J. Ceesay, A. Candela, and L. Magnino during the game
- • Mantova made five substitutions, including F. Benaissa-Yahia, T. Marras, M. Caprini, D. Wieser, and Nicolò Radaelli
Lineups
Empoli
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Starting XI
- 21 Andrea Fulignati (G)
- 34 Gabriele Guarino (D)
- 20 Matteo Lovato (D)
- 5 Nosa Edward Obaretin (D)
- 26 Antonio Candela (M)
- 14 Gerard Yepes (M)
- 8 Luca Magnino (M)
- 7 Salvatore Elia (M)
- 15 Joseph Ceesay (F)
- 10 Rareș Ilie (F)
- 11 Stiven Shpendi (F)
Substitutes
- 27 Brando Moruzzi
- 19 Marco Nasti
- 24 Tyronne Ebuehi
- 70 Edoardo Saporiti
- 32 Nicolas Haas
- 1 Samuele Perisan
- 4 Simone Romagnoli
- 2 Marco Curto
- 6 Duccio Degli Innocenti
- 25 Lorenzo Ignacchiti
- 17 Daniel Fila
- 77 Bogdan Popov
Mantova
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Starting XI
- 24 Francesco Bardi (G)
- 13 Andrea Meroni (D)
- 29 Stefano Cella (D)
- 27 Alessio Castellini (D)
- 50 Fahem Benaissa-Yahia (M)
- 21 Simone Trimboli (M)
- 80 Rachid Kouda (M)
- 17 Nicolò Radaelli (M)
- 30 Davide Bragantini (F)
- 77 Nicolò Buso (F)
- 9 Leonardo Mancuso (F)
Substitutes
- 15 Tiago Gonçalves
- 23 Tommaso Marras
- 28 Maat Daniel Caprini
- 10 David Wieser
- 96 Tommaso Maggioni
- 34 Ante Vukovic
- 3 Ali Dembélé
- 20 Junior Ligue
- 5 Konstantinos Chrysopoulos
- 36 Flavio Paoletti
- 18 César Falletti
- 7 Davis Mensah
Timeline
-
21' Mantova Goal · Normal GoalD. Bragantini · Assist: S. Trimboli
-
37' Mantova Goal · Normal GoalStefano Cella
-
44' Empoli Card · Yellow CardL. Magnino
Foul
-
45'+1 Empoli Card · Yellow CardR. Ilie
Foul
-
46' Mantova subst · Substitution 1Off: F. Benaissa-Yahia · On: Tiago Gonçalves
-
46' Empoli subst · Substitution 2Off: Nosa Edward Obaretin · On: B. Moruzzi
-
49' Mantova Card · Yellow CardD. Bragantini
Foul
-
50' Empoli Goal · Normal GoalS. Shpendi · Assist: S. Elia
-
57' Mantova subst · Substitution 2Off: D. Bragantini · On: T. Marras
-
57' Mantova subst · Substitution 3Off: N. Buso · On: M. Caprini
-
67' Mantova subst · Substitution 4Off: L. Mancuso · On: D. Wieser
-
72' Empoli subst · Substitution 3Off: J. Ceesay · On: E. Saporiti
-
72' Empoli subst · Substitution 4Off: A. Candela · On: T. Ebuehi
-
80' Empoli subst · Substitution 5Off: L. Magnino · On: N. Haas
-
84' Mantova Card · Yellow CardFrancesco Bardi
Time wasting
-
84' Empoli Goal · Normal GoalE. Saporiti · Assist: S. Elia
-
88' Mantova subst · Substitution 5Off: Nicolò Radaelli · On: T. Maggioni
-
90'+6 Empoli Card · Yellow CardM. Nasti
Foul
Match Stats
| Stat | Empoli | Mantova |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 17 | 17 |
| Pass Accuracy | 80% | 71% |
| Offsides | 3 | 2 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 18 | 13 |
| Corners | 9 | 4 |
| Total Passes | 456 | 337 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
| Blocked Shots | 6 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 5 |
| xG | 2.02 | 1.31 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 7 |
| Possession | 59% | 41% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 363 | 240 |
| Shots Inside Box | 12 | 10 |
| Saves | 3 | 5 |
| Shots Outside Box | 6 | 3 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Empoli's goal by S. Shpendi in the 50th minute marked the turning point, igniting the comeback against Mantova
- ▸ Empoli's equalizer by E. Saporiti in the 84th minute, just before the end, kept the match balanced and maintained the point for both teams