Match report
Empoli Defeats Catanzaro 1-0 in Serie B Clash
Empoli
1–0
FT
Catanzaro
Nov 8, 2025
Empoli held off Catanzaro at home, winning 1-0 in the latest Serie B encounter. A well-executed penalty by S. Shpendi in the second half gave Empoli the lead and secured their victory. Despite playing a man down after B. Popov was sent off for Empoli early on, they managed to maintain control and secure all three points.
Key Facts
- • Final Score: Empoli 1-0 Catanzaro (Serie B)
- • Shpendi scored the winning penalty at minute 59
- • Empoli's Popov was sent off with a red card after receiving two yellow cards at minute 44
- • Catanzaro had multiple substitutions, including T. Cassandro and G. Di Chiara
- • Empoli saw several players receive yellow cards throughout the match
Lineups
Empoli
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Starting XI
- 21 A. Fulignati (G)
- 2 M. Curto (D)
- 34 G. Guarino (D)
- 5 N. Obaretin (D)
- 7 S. Elia (M)
- 14 G. Yepes (M)
- 6 D. Degli Innocenti (M)
- 27 B. Moruzzi (M)
- 11 S. Shpendi (F)
- 70 E. Saporiti (F)
- 77 B. Popov (F)
Substitutes
- 12 M. Gasparini
- 1 S. Perisan
- 79 F. Carboni
- 15 J. Ceesay
- 28 G. Indragoli
- 20 M. Lovato
- 32 N. Haas
- 10 R. Ilie
- 99 F. Bianchi
- 90 I. Konate
- 19 M. Nasti
- 9 P. Pellegri
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)
- 32 F. Rispoli (M)
- 20 S. Pontisso (M)
- 17 G. Di Chiara (M)
- 98 D. Buglio (F)
- 80 A. Cisse (F)
- 9 P. Iemmello (F)
Substitutes
- 1 C. Marietta
- 5 E. Bashi
- 18 D. Bettella
- 28 R. Oudin
- 10 J. Petriccione
- 30 G. Alesi
- 19 P. Nuamah
- 45 N. Buso
- 77 M. D'Alessandro
- 14 M. Liberali
- 7 L. Pandolfi
- 8 F. Pittarello
Timeline
-
10' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 1Off: T. Cassandro · On: D. Bettella
-
27' Empoli Card · Yellow CardNosa Edward Obaretin
Foul
-
31' Empoli Card · Yellow CardB. Popov
Foul
-
44' Empoli Card · Yellow CardB. Popov
Foul
-
44' Empoli Card · Red CardB. Popov
Foul
-
46' Empoli subst · Substitution 1Off: Nosa Edward Obaretin · On: M. Lovato
-
55' Catanzaro Card · Yellow CardD. Bettella
Foul
-
57' Empoli Var · Penalty confirmedE. Saporiti
-
59' Empoli Goal · PenaltyS. Shpendi
-
60' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 2Off: G. Di Chiara · On: P. Nuamah
-
60' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 3Off: S. Pontisso · On: L. Pandolfi
-
66' Catanzaro Card · Yellow CardMirko Pigliacelli
Argument
-
70' Empoli Card · Yellow CardGerard Yepes
Argument
-
71' Empoli subst · Substitution 2Off: E. Saporiti · On: R. Ilie
-
72' Empoli Card · Yellow CardAndrea Fulignati
Time wasting
-
72' Empoli subst · Substitution 3Off: S. Shpendi · On: P. Pellegri
-
77' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 4Off: Nicolò Brighenti · On: G. Alesi
-
77' Catanzaro subst · Substitution 5Off: D. Buglio · On: M. Liberali
-
86' Empoli subst · Substitution 4Off: S. Elia · On: F. Carboni
-
86' Empoli subst · Substitution 5Off: D. Degli Innocenti · On: N. Haas
-
90' Catanzaro Card · Yellow CardG. Alesi
Foul
Match Stats
| Stat | Empoli | Catanzaro |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 21 | 11 |
| Pass Accuracy | 75% | 89% |
| Offsides | 0 | 5 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 0 |
| Total Shots | 11 | 6 |
| Corners | 2 | 4 |
| Total Passes | 258 | 559 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 4 |
| Blocked Shots | 2 | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 1 |
| xG | 1.57 | 0.23 |
| Shots off Target | 6 | 2 |
| Possession | 32% | 68% |
| Goals Prevented | — | — |
| Accurate Passes | 194 | 495 |
| Shots Inside Box | 5 | 4 |
| Saves | 1 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 6 | 2 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Empoli's early red card for B. Popov shifted momentum towards Catanzaro, but they struggled to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
- ▸ The confirmation of a penalty by VAR at minute 57 turned the game in favor of Empoli, leading to Shpendi's decisive goal two minutes later.