Match report

Palermo Stuns Empoli 3-2 in Thrilling Serie B Encounter

Palermo
Palermo
3–2
FT
Empoli
Empoli
Feb 7, 2026

Palermo secured an exciting victory over Empoli in Serie B with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win. The match began promisingly for the visitors, as Gabriele Guarino scored early on for Empoli. However, Palermo's Andrea Fulignati inadvertently contributed to his team's cause with an own goal before halftime. A late surge from Palermo saw Jukka Pohjanpalo score a crucial penalty and another goal to seal the win.

Key Facts

  • • Empoli took the lead through Gabriele Guarino in the 5th minute.
  • • Palermo equalized with an own goal by Andrea Fulignati at 24 minutes.
  • • Pohjanpalo scored twice for Palermo, including a penalty kick.
  • • Empoli made multiple substitutions but couldn't secure the lead.

Lineups

Palermo

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 66 J. Joronen (G)
  • 29 P. Peda (D)
  • 13 M. Bani (D)
  • 32 P. Ceccaroni (D)
  • 27 N. Pierozzi (M)
  • 8 J. Segre (M)
  • 10 F. Ranocchia (M)
  • 3 T. Augello (M)
  • 21 J. Le Douaron (F)
  • 11 E. Gyasi (F)
  • 20 J. Pohjanpalo (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. Gomis
  • 77 F. Di Bartolo
  • 6 C. Gomes
  • 7 D. Johnsen
  • 14 A. Vasic
  • 19 B. Bereszynski
  • 28 A. Blin
  • 31 G. Corona
  • 96 G. Magnani

Empoli

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 21 A. Fulignati (G)
  • 20 M. Lovato (D)
  • 34 G. Guarino (D)
  • 5 N. Obaretin (D)
  • 26 A. Candela (M)
  • 8 L. Magnino (M)
  • 18 A. Ghion (M)
  • 6 D. Degli Innocenti (M)
  • 7 S. Elia (M)
  • 19 M. Nasti (F)
  • 11 S. Shpendi (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 S. Perisan
  • 2 M. Curto
  • 4 S. Romagnoli
  • 14 G. Yepes
  • 15 J. Ceesay
  • 17 D. Fila
  • 24 T. Ebuehi
  • 25 L. Ignacchiti
  • 28 G. Indragoli
  • 32 N. Haas
  • 70 E. Saporiti
  • 77 B. Popov

Timeline

  1. Empoli
    5' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    Gabriele Guarino
  2. Palermo
    24' Palermo Goal · Own Goal
    Andrea Fulignati
  3. Palermo
    33' Palermo Card · Yellow Card
    Mattia Bani

    Foul

  4. Empoli
    38' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    M. Lovato

    Foul

  5. Palermo
    45' Palermo Card · Yellow Card
    Pietro Ceccaroni

    Foul

  6. Palermo
    46' Palermo subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Pietro Ceccaroni · On: G. Magnani
  7. Palermo
    56' Palermo subst · Substitution 2
    Off: E. Gyasi · On: D. Johnsen
  8. Empoli
    56' Empoli subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Nasti · On: D. Fila
  9. Palermo
    57' Palermo Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Pohjanpalo · Assist: J. Le Douaron
  10. Empoli
    66' Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    Nosa Edward Obaretin

    Foul

  11. Empoli
    70' Empoli subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Elia · On: T. Ebuehi
  12. Empoli
    71' Empoli subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Candela · On: J. Ceesay
  13. Empoli
    72' Empoli Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Ebuehi
  14. Palermo
    79' Palermo Var · Penalty cancelled
    J. Pohjanpalo
  15. Palermo
    82' Palermo subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Segre · On: C. Gomes
  16. Palermo
    82' Palermo subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Le Douaron · On: A. Vasic
  17. Palermo
    84' Palermo Goal · Penalty
    J. Pohjanpalo
  18. Empoli
    88' Empoli subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Degli Innocenti · On: L. Ignacchiti
  19. Empoli
    88' Empoli subst · Substitution 5
    Off: S. Shpendi · On: B. Popov
  20. Palermo
    90'+1 Palermo subst · Substitution 5
    Off: F. Ranocchia · On: A. Blin
  21. Empoli
    90'+6 Empoli Card · Yellow Card
    Andrea Fulignati

    Argument

Match Stats

Stat Palermo Empoli
Fouls 19 16
Pass Accuracy 85% 79%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 17
Corners 3 5
Total Passes 386 282
Yellow Cards 2 4
Blocked Shots 6 4
Shots on Target 3 8
xG 1.94 1.07
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 57% 43%
Goals Prevented -1 -1
Accurate Passes 327 222
Shots Inside Box 9 9
Saves 6 1
Shots Outside Box 3 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Palermo's equalizing own goal at 24 minutes set the stage for a comeback.
  • ▸ The second half saw Pohjanpalo’s two goals turning the tide in favor of Palermo, securing their victory.