Impact Kovalenko misses his fourth straight match as he continues to recover from a rib injury. The midfielder trained in the buildup and could return next week against Genoa.
JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE
EMPOLI 3-6-3 · 10TH IN SERIE A
3-6-3 · 10TH IN SERIE A
Next Match vs Udinese (H) · Mon 5:30PM
EMP +180 TOTAL 1.5
🔴 LIVE | Warm up | Juventus-Empoli | Serie A TIM 2023/24
JANUARY 27 • YOUTUBE
Viktor Kovalenko - Out against Juventus Kovalenko (ribs) is not in the match day squad to face Juventus on Saturday.
Giuseppe Pezzella - Makes bench against Juve Pezzella (ankle) is in the squad to face Juventus on Saturday.
Impact Pezzella returns for the first time since September after training in the buildup to the match. The fullback is available from the bench with Emmanuel Gyasi and Liberato Cacace operating in the starting XI at wing-back.
JANUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE
Viktor Kovalenko - Questionable for Juventus fixture Kovalenko (ribs) has practiced more than last week but isn't a lock to be available for Saturday's game against Juventus, Sky Italy informed.
Impact Kovalenko is feeling better after missing three weeks due to a rib injury, but he might be given more time to heal fully. He'll likely be eased into action if indeed available, also considering that he wasn't a regular starter before the problem.
JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE
Francesco Caputo - Stays out for Juventus match Caputo (ankle) hasn't been spotted in training this week, Il Tirreno reported.
Impact Caputo continues to be limited to some rehab work and will be absent for the third consecutive game. Newcomer Alberto Cerri fared well in his first start last week and could get another one. The other options, in case of a lighter attack, are Stiven Shpendi and Matteo Cancellieri.
JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE
Giuseppe Pezzella - Could return versus Juventus Pezzella (ankle) "has resumed training fully this week," coach Davide Nicola announced.
Impact Pezzella is likely to be back in the squad list on Saturday after missing more than three months due to an ankle fracture. He'll compete with Emmanuel Gyasi, Liberato Cacace, and Simone Bastoni to play on the left wing once in better shape. He was the top option in the early going and posted two chances created, 19 crosses (seven accurate), and 11 tackles in six appearances.
JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE
Ardian Ismajli - Logs five clearances versus Monza Ismajli (ribs) had two interceptions, five clearances, and one inaccurate cross in Sunday's 3-0 win over Monza.
Impact Ismajli returned from a brief absence and helped his team shut out the opponents with a solid shift. He's going to be a regular if the new coach sticks with a three-man line. He has posted three tackles (two won), six interceptions, and 18 clearances in his last five appearances, with one clean sheet.
JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Tommaso Baldanzi - Unused in Monza game Baldanzi (thigh) didn't play in Sunday's 3-0 win over Monza.
Impact Baldanzi was fit enough to make the match-day squad but didn't get minutes. He might not be a great fit for the new coach's scheme and will have to compete with Nicolo Cambiaghi and Matteo Cancellieri going forward. He has tallied two shots (one on target), three chances created, and five inaccurate crosses in his last three appearances.
JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE
Sebastian Walukiewicz - Decent day in the defense Walukiewicz generated one tackle (one won), nine clearances and one interception in Sunday's 3-0 victory against Monza.
Impact Walukiewicz had a decent outing on Sunday, proving to be stout in the defense with his one tackle won, an interception and nine clearances. He has now registered nine or more clearances in three contests this season, only notching more in one game in which he had 13. The defender now has eight interceptions, 20 tackles and 59 clearances in his 13 appearances this campaign.
JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE
Szymon Zurkowski - Nets hat-trick Zurkowski scored three goals to go with three shots (three on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 3-0 victory against Monza.
Impact Zurkowski has absolutely shined in his two matches since rejoining Empoli on loan from Speiza, now having four goals in his two appearnces after scoring a hat trick Sunday. He opened up the scoring in the 13th minute followed by a goal in the 38th minute, both of which being solo goals before adding on another in the 73rd minute off of a Stiven Shpendi assist. Zurkowski has been crucial in front of net over his two matches on loan, scoring all four goals on only four shots. He will hope for this to continue heading into their next contest, as is he preforms like this again, they may have a chance at knocking off Jeventus.
JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE
Elia Caprile - Clean sheet against Monza Caprile registered five saves and allowed zero goals in Sunday's 3-0 win over Monza.
Impact Caprile did not dissapoint Sunday, registering a solid five saves while keeping a clean sheet in the win over Monza. This was the goalie's second clean sheet since assuming the start role between the sticks five contests ago, notching 21 saves while allowing seven goals in that span. He will hope to keep the momentum rolling into their next contest, as the club will need his best if they want any chance of beating Juventus on Saturday.
JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE
Matteo Cancellieri - Completes ban Cancellieri served a one-game ban in Sunday's 3-0 win over Monza.
Impact Cancellieri will return against Juventus on Saturday and will attempt to win over the new coach, who switched to a more defensive scheme in his debut. He'd compete with Nicolo Cambiaghi if it stuck. He has tallied nine shots (one on target), three chances created, and three inaccurate crosses in his last six appearances, without any goal contribution.
JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE
Francesco Caputo - Missing second straight Caputo (ankle) is not in the squad to face Monza on Sunday.
Impact Caputo misses out on Sunday's match as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. The forward is a locked in starter when fully fit.
JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Tommaso Baldanzi - Makes bench Sunday Baldanzi (thigh) is among the substitutes for Sunday's match against Monza.
Impact Baldanzi returns from a thigh injury which kept him out of last week's match against Verona. The midfielder starts from the bench having started just one match since early October.
JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Ardian Ismajli - Starting against Monza Ismajli (ribs) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Monza.
Impact Ismajli returns from a rib injury which kept him out of last week's match against Verona. The defender has helped Empoli to one clean sheet in his 14 appearances.
JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Viktor Kovalenko - In doubt for Monza clash Kovalenko (ribs) has been spotted in training during the week but is questionable for Sunday's game against Monza, Quotidiano Sportivo informed.
Impact Kovalenko is nursing a nagging injury, and his availability might hinge on how he feels on game day. If he's available, he'll likely begin on the bench since he's not close to 100 percent.
JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Ardian Ismajli - Likely for Monza game Ismajli (ribs) is set to be an option for Sunday's bout against Monza, Gianluca DI Marzio informed.
Impact Ismajli was unavailable last week, but his problem was minor and he returned to full training pretty quickly afterward. He'll be in contention with Sebastian Walukiewicz right after a coaching change. He has tallied three tackles (two won), five interceptions, and 23 clearances in his last six appearances, with no clean sheets.
JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Tommaso Baldanzi - Questionable for Monza fixture Baldanzi (thigh) might make the bench for Sunday's clash with Monza, La Nazione informed.
Impact Baldanzi has been able to train in some capacity after missing the previous game, but he'll have to pass a late fitness test to be an option. He'll likely be a substitute option in that event.
JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Mattia Destro - Absent for Monza tilt Destro (thigh) will miss Sunday's match versus Monza, Sky Italy informed.
Impact Destro got hurt while warming up last week and will stay on the mend. Francesco Caputo (ankle) and Matteo Cancellieri (suspension) are out too, so the only healthy strikers left are Stiven Shpendi, Nicolo Cambiaghi, and newcomer Alberto Cerri.
JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Francesco Caputo - Will sit Monza fixture Caputo (ankle) will remain sidelined for Sunday's match versus Monza, Tuttomercatoweb informed.
Impact Caputo hasn't been spotted in training after being scratched late for the previous game, the outlet informs. Stiven Shpendi or Alberto Cerri will lead the line on Sunday.
JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE
Alberto Cerri - Returns to Serie A Cerri has joined Empoli on loan from Como, the Serie A site announced.
Impact Cerri gets the opportunity to come back to Serie A after two-and-half solid seasons in the second division where he recorded 20 goals and nine assists in 68 appearances. He has never been particularly productive in the top flight. He'll begin as a deputy, but Francesco Caputo (ankle) and Mattia Destro (thigh) are currently banged up.
JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE
Liberato Cacace - Takes eight corners Cacace registered two shots (zero on goal), 10 crosses (one accurate) and eight corners in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Verona.
Impact Cacace took a season-high eight corners on his way to crossing 10 times, although only one of them found its intended target. He will look to make a similar attacking impact next time out against Monza.
JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE
Jacopo Fazzini - Wasteful in loss Fazzini recorded three shots (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Verona.
Impact Fazzini earned a new season-high with three shots but was unable to put any of the three on frame. He has been in and out of the starting XI this season but will continue getting chances and Empoli look for solutions in front of goal.
JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE
