Match report

Empoli Defeats Avellino 1–0 in Serie B

Empoli
Empoli
1–0
FT
Avellino
Avellino
May 1, 2026

Empoli emerged victorious in their Serie B encounter against Avellino, sealing a 1–0 win with a goal from M. Lovato in the 58th minute. Despite multiple substitutions and a red card for Avellino's A. Fontanarosa in stoppage time, Empoli held on to take all three points. Avellino's attempt to level the score was thwarted by Empoli's resilient defense.

Key Facts

  • • M. Lovato scored the only goal for Empoli in the 58th minute, assisted by Gerard Yepes.
  • • N. Haas (Empoli) and D. Sounas (Avellino) received yellow cards in the first half.
  • • A. Fontanarosa of Avellino was shown a red card in stoppage time for arguing with the referee.
  • • Empoli made multiple substitutions, including M. Nasti and J. Ceesay, to maintain their lead.
  • • Avellino also made several changes, including Tommaso Biasci and T. Cancellotti, in an attempt to turn the game around.

Lineups

Empoli

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 21 A. Fulignati (G)
  • 34 G. Guarino (D)
  • 4 S. Romagnoli (D)
  • 20 M. Lovato (D)
  • 26 A. Candela (M)
  • 8 L. Magnino (M)
  • 14 G. Yepes (M)
  • 32 N. Haas (M)
  • 15 J. Ceesay (M)
  • 19 M. Nasti (F)
  • 11 S. Shpendi (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 S. Perisan
  • 2 M. Curto
  • 7 S. Elia
  • 18 A. Ghion
  • 17 D. Fila
  • 70 E. Saporiti
  • 5 N. Obaretin
  • 99 F. Bianchi
  • 6 D. Degli Innocenti
  • 10 R. Ilie
  • 27 B. Moruzzi
  • 77 B. Popov

Avellino

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Starting XI

  • 30 G. Daffara (G)
  • 29 T. Cancellotti (D)
  • 56 P. Enrici (D)
  • 4 A. Izzo (D)
  • 63 A. Fontanarosa (D)
  • 24 D. Sounas (M)
  • 6 L. Palmiero (M)
  • 39 M. Besaggio (M)
  • 20 M. Palumbo (M)
  • 9 C. Patierno (F)
  • 14 T. Biasci (F)

Substitutes

  • 53 J. Sassi
  • 99 A. Favilli
  • 10 R. Russo
  • 8 L. Pandolfi
  • 18 L. Sgarbi
  • 2 F. Missori
  • 27 A. Le Borgne
  • 21 M. Armellino
  • 7 G. Tutino
  • 94 R. Insigne
  • 11 L. D'Andrea
  • 16 J. Kumi

Timeline

  1. Empoli
    46' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    N. Haas

    Foul

  2. Avellino
    46' Avellino subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Tommaso Biasci · On: R. Russo
  3. Empoli
    54' Empoli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Nasti · On: B. Popov
  4. Avellino
    57' Avellino Card · Yellow Card
    D. Sounas

    Foul

  5. Empoli
    58' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Lovato · Assist: Gerard Yepes
  6. Avellino
    65' Avellino subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Cancellotti · On: F. Missori
  7. Avellino
    65' Avellino subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Sounas · On: R. Insigne
  8. Empoli
    69' Empoli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Ceesay · On: S. Elia
  9. Empoli
    69' Empoli subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Haas · On: D. Degli Innocenti
  10. Avellino
    73' Avellino subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Michele Besaggio · On: L. Pandolfi
  11. Empoli
    77' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    S. Elia

    Foul

  12. Empoli
    83' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    Gerard Yepes

    Time wasting

  13. Avellino
    83' Avellino subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Francesco Patierno · On: Andrea Le Borgne
  14. Empoli
    84' Empoli subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Gerard Yepes · On: A. Ghion
  15. Empoli
    84' Empoli subst · Substitution 5
    Off: S. Shpendi · On: F. Bianchi
  16. Avellino
    90'+7 Avellino Card · Red Card
    A. Fontanarosa

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Empoli Avellino
Fouls 21 22
Pass Accuracy 70% 76%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards 0 1
Total Shots 17 5
Corners 4 2
Total Passes 305 419
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 5 0
Shots on Target 9 2
xG 2.41 0.20
Shots off Target 3 3
Possession 43% 57%
Goals Prevented 2.62 2.62
Accurate Passes 215 320
Shots Inside Box 13 1
Saves 2 7
Shots Outside Box 4 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Empoli's goal in the 58th minute by M. Lovato shifted the momentum in their favor, providing a critical advantage in the match.
  • ▸ Avellino's red card in stoppage time due to A. Fontanarosa's argument with the referee severely hampered Avellino's ability to equalize.