Match report

Empoli Defeats Cesena 1-0 in Serie B Clash

Cesena
Cesena
0–1
FT
Empoli
Empoli
Jan 10, 2026

Empoli stuns Cesena in the latest installment of Serie B action, with a solitary strike from R. Ilie ensuring Empoli's triumph. Despite numerous yellow cards, Cesena was unable to break through Empoli’s defense.

Key Facts

  • • Empoli's R. Ilie scores the only goal of the match at 47 minutes.
  • • A. Ghion assists R. Ilie for the winning goal.
  • • Cesena receives three yellow cards: Gianluca Frabotta (16'), M. Francesconi (29'), and M. Guidi (85').
  • • Empoli’s B. Moruzzi gets a yellow card at 51 minutes.
  • • Multiple substitutions made by both teams in the second half, with Empoli making five changes.

Lineups

Cesena

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 33 J. Klinsmann (G)
  • 15 A. Ciofi (D)
  • 19 G. Zaro (D)
  • 24 M. Mangraviti (D)
  • 11 R. Ciervo (M)
  • 25 D. Bisoli (M)
  • 70 M. Francesconi (M)
  • 14 T. Berti (M)
  • 99 G. Frabotta (M)
  • 7 J. Blesa (F)
  • 9 C. Shpendi (F)

Substitutes

  • 40 L. Ferretti
  • 1 A. Siano
  • 16 P. Amoran
  • 13 R. Celia
  • 23 V. Magni
  • 26 M. Piacentini
  • 6 T. Arrigoni
  • 10 S. Bastoni
  • 4 M. Castagnetti
  • 18 M. Guidi
  • 29 S. Balde
  • 32 M. Olivieri

Empoli

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 21 A. Fulignati (G)
  • 20 M. Lovato (D)
  • 34 G. Guarino (D)
  • 5 N. Obaretin (D)
  • 7 S. Elia (M)
  • 6 D. Degli Innocenti (M)
  • 18 A. Ghion (M)
  • 27 B. Moruzzi (M)
  • 11 S. Shpendi (F)
  • 10 R. Ilie (F)
  • 19 M. Nasti (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Gasparini
  • 1 S. Perisan
  • 79 F. Carboni
  • 15 J. Ceesay
  • 2 M. Curto
  • 24 T. Ebuehi
  • 29 L. Tosto
  • 32 N. Haas
  • 25 L. Ignacchiti
  • 99 F. Bianchi
  • 77 B. Popov

Timeline

  1. Cesena
    16' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    Gianluca Frabotta

    Foul

  2. Cesena
    29' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    M. Francesconi

    Foul

  3. Empoli
    31' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    Gabriele Guarino

    Foul

  4. Empoli
    47' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Ilie · Assist: A. Ghion
  5. Empoli
    51' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    B. Moruzzi

    Foul

  6. Cesena
    53' Cesena subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Francesconi · On: M. Castagnetti
  7. Empoli
    68' Empoli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Ilie · On: L. Ignacchiti
  8. Cesena
    68' Cesena subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Bisoli · On: S. Bastoni
  9. Empoli
    68' Empoli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: D. Degli Innocenti · On: N. Haas
  10. Empoli
    77' Empoli subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Elia · On: J. Ceesay
  11. Empoli
    77' Empoli subst · Substitution 4
    Off: S. Shpendi · On: B. Popov
  12. Cesena
    79' Cesena subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Ciofi · On: V. Magni
  13. Cesena
    79' Cesena subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Berti · On: M. Guidi
  14. Empoli
    83' Empoli subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Ghion · On: F. Carboni
  15. Cesena
    85' Cesena Card · Yellow Card
    M. Guidi

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Cesena Empoli
Fouls 7 10
Pass Accuracy 85% 75%
Offsides 5 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 17 11
Corners 12 2
Total Passes 567 306
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 5 3
Shots on Target 6 4
xG 1.53 1.98
Shots off Target 6 4
Possession 65% 35%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 480 229
Shots Inside Box 14 7
Saves 3 5
Shots Outside Box 3 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ R. Ilie's goal at minute 47 marks a crucial turning point, giving Empoli control over the game.
  • ▸ Cesena’s early accumulation of yellow cards (Frabotta and Francesconi) might have impacted their playing style, leading to a defensive approach.