Empoli 4 Catanzaro 1
Markers: 8′ pt Fazzini (E), 13′ Bonini (C); 3′ st Colombo (E), 10′ Esposito (E), 48′ Fazzini (E)
Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez 5.5; Cacace 6.5, Viti 6, Marianucci 6; Gyasi 6.5 (39′ st Stojanovic n/a), Grassi 6.5, Henderson 6.5 (46′ st Haas n/a), Pezzella 6.5; Fazzini 7.5, Esposito 7 (32′ st Caputo 6); Colombo 7 (32′ st Ekong 6). Coach D’Aversa 7
Catanzaro (4-2-3-1): Pigliacelli 6; Situm 6, Scognamillo 5, Brighenti 5, Bonini 6.5; Petriccione 6 (16′ st Pompetti 6), Pontisso 6.5 (43′ st Maiolo sv); Volpe 6 (23′ st Turicchia 6), Iemmello 5.5, Pagano 6; Biasci 5.5 (16′ st Pittarello 6). Coach Caserta 6
Referee: Torre del Greco Arena 6.5
Notes. Spectators 1,738 of which 289 guests, takings of 15,468 euros. Scognamillo booked. Corners 8-2. Rec. 2′; 4′
The result counts for little and the 4-1 defeat by Empoli doesn’t hurt, because the objective is calibrated on the debut in Serie B against Sassuolo in a week. However, Catanzaro, defeated in Tuscany by a superior category opponent, still made a decent impression, at least in the first half. Of course, He paid dearly for some very obvious defensive errors, he showed a clear physical decline in the second half, but until half-time he was appreciated for his play, attitude and ability to react.
Empoli scores at the start with Fazzini and the Eagles immediately equalize with Bonini, they hold their own against the home team, they try without fear. In the second half it’s a different story like the legs, soft, and so the Tuscans run riot, perhaps even beyond the Eagles’ demerits. Colombo scores in the 3rd minute on a corner play, Esposito triples by taking Brighenti from behind and beating Pigliacelli with a lob, in the final Fazzini’s poker after another Colombo hit the post and Stojanovic hit the crossbar.