Empoli vs Napoli

Rome (AFP) – Napoli's Serie A title ambitions took a knock on Sunday as the third-placed southerners threw away a two-goal lead to fall 3-2 at Empoli.

“But these are games where the opponent continues to fight with the right attitude, when we probably lost a bit of our focus and made mistakes that we shouldn’t make. A Kevin Malcuit blunder allowed Henderson to pull a goal back after 80 minutes with Andrea Pinamonti making the most of an error from visiting goalkeeper Alex Meret to grab the equaliser after 83 minutes. With four matches to play this season, Napoli are five points behind leaders Inter Milan and four adrift of second placed AC Milan, who both have a game in hand.

Napoli were 2-0 up in the 79th minute before collapsing to a 3-2 defeat at Empoli, and coach Luciano Spalletti says he is the man to blame.

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Luciano Spalletti's side were 2-0 ahead with ten minutes to go before Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson sparked a revival for the hosts who scored three goals ...

The Indomitable Lions midfielder provided the assist for Napoli's second goal, which was scored by Lorenzo Insigne, while Nigeria's Victor Osimhen did not make ...

Despite the comeback, the home side saw four of their players yellow-carded - Filippo Bandinelli, Mattia Viti, Petar Stojanovic, and Pinamonti were cautioned in the fourth, 72nd, 81st and 88th minutes, respectively. Napoli – who were close to registering a win that would have had them keep pace with Serie A's leading sides - Inter Milan and AC Milan – allowed Liam Henderson to score in the 80th minute and give Empoli a glimpse of hope of a comeback. They doubled their lead in the 53rd minute with an arrowing effort from Insigne. Although the away side took firm control of the game following the two goals, they later crumbled to allow Empoli to mount an incredible comeback.

With Empoli without a victory in their previous 16 league games before Napoli's visit, Luciano Spalletti's side were expected to get the victory that would have seen them keep pace with league leaders Inter Milan. They were even more overwhelming ...

The defeat leaves Napoli third in the standings, without a win in three league games, and five points behind Inter having played a game more. The drama, however, was not done there, as Pinamonti slid in at the far post three minutes from time to send the home fans into raptures, and leave Napoli defenders looking at each other wondering how they had thrown this encounter away. Napoli held the lead until the 80th minute, until they inexplicably left Liam Henderson all alone to get the hosts back in the game, before a goalkeeping howler from Alex Meret let Andrea Pinamonti in to level three minutes later.

With four matches to play this season, Napoli are five points behind leaders Inter Milan and four adrift of second placed AC Milan, who both have a game in hand ...

With Empoli without a victory in their previous 16 league games before Napoli's visit, Luciano Spalletti's side were expected to get the victory that would have ...

The defeat leaves Napoli third in the standings, without a win in three league games, and five points behind Inter having played a game more. The drama, however, was not done there, as Pinamonti slid in at the far post three minutes from time to send the home fans into raptures, and leave Napoli defenders looking at each other wondering how they had thrown this encounter away. Napoli held the lead until the 80th minute, until they inexplicably left Liam Henderson all alone to get the hosts back in the game, before a goalkeeping howler from Alex Meret let Andrea Pinamonti in to level three minutes later.

Title-bidding Napoli take a trip to Tuscany to take on bottom-half Empoli in Sunday's must-win Serie A showdown at Carlo Castellani.

Topcially, they have conceded 2+ goals in their last four Serie A visits to Empoli, highlighting the potential for a leaky weekend. Before a scoreless draw with Spezia in their most recent Serie A outing at Carlo Castellani, Gli Azzurri had scored in nine consecutive home league matches. Wandering in the bottom half of the Serie A table, Gli Azzurri are not threatening the top-half picture.

Inter-owned striker Andrea Pinamonti feels that the brace that he scored for Empoli against Napoli yesterday can be a major turning point for him.

I’m happy, I’m calm and things are starting to show on the pitch.” Inter-owned striker Andrea Pinamonti feels that the brace that he scored for Empoli against Napoli yesterday can be a major turning point for him. Inter-Owned Striker Andrea Pinamonti: “Brace Against Napoli For Empoli Can Be Turning Point”

With Empoli without a victory in their previous 16 league games before Napoli's visit, Luciano Spalletti's side were expected to get the victory that would have ...

The defeat leaves Napoli third in the standings, without a win in three league games, and five points behind Inter having played a game more. The drama, however, was not done there, as Pinamonti slid in at the far post three minutes from time to send the home fans into raptures, and leave Napoli defenders looking at each other wondering how they had thrown this encounter away. Napoli held the lead until the 80th minute, until they inexplicably left Liam Henderson all alone to get the hosts back in the game, before a goalkeeping howler from Alex Meret let Andrea Pinamonti in to level three minutes later.

Match valid for round #34 of the 2021-22 Serie A.

Empoli substitution Empoli substitution Empoli substitution

Napoli must win away to stuttering Empoli if they are to stay in the Scudetto race, so use Victor Osimhen, Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Hirving ...

After calls to be more attack-minded, Spalletti has listened and adapted to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Insigne, Lozano and Mertens supporting Osimhen. You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG. Napoli must win away to stuttering Empoli if they are to stay in the Scudetto race, so use Victor Osimhen, Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Hirving Lozano together.