Empoli Team News Page 4 - Soccer

Saba Sazonov - Suffers knee injury Sazonov picked up a right ACL sprain in training, Empoli announced.

Impact Sazonov will consult with a specialist in the coming days as he didn't suffer a standard tear, so he might avoid a long-term absence, but it'll depend on the amount of possible damage to the ligament. He'll be on the mend until the situation is fully sorted. Saba Goglichidze and Mattia De Sciglio will complete the defense in the meantime.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Liam Henderson - Pretty good in Juventus game Henderson won one of two tackles, created one scoring chance and recorded three crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Henderson had a complete game on both ends thanks to the help of a few set pieces. He'll compete primarily with Youssef Maleh throughout the season. He has stated four times in a row, notching seven key passes, 10 crosses (six accurate) and nine clearances.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Emmanuel Gyasi - Held in check by Juventus Gyasi generated one shot (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate), three tackles (one won) and two chances created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Gyasi couldn't capitalize on an early scoring opportunity on a long cross and wasn't a big factor offensively afterward as he was dealing with a tough direct opponent. He has hit the net twice already, adding five shots (three on target), two key passes and three crosses (one accurate).

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Colombo - Blanketed by Juventus Colombo generated one shot (zero on goal), one tackle (zero won) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Colombo didn't get much going as Empoli had just a pair of offensive spurts throughout the contest. He has scored and assisted once so far, in the same game, adding five shots (one on target), five key passes and two crosses (zero accurate).

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastiano Esposito - Decent in Juventus game Esposito drew two fouls and had two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Juventus.

Impact Esposito returned to the XI after two matches thanks to some injuries and did the best he could with his limited touches. He has yet to put his name in the stat sheet but has been okay otherwise, registering seven shots (two on target), three key passes and five crosses (one accurate) in four games (two starts).

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Youssef Maleh - Takes two shots against Juventus Maleh won two of three tackles and recorded two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Maleh played in a more offensive role since Jacopo Fazzini and Ola Solbakken were knocked out by thigh injuries and picked up more stats than usual in the final third, on top of providing his usual gritty contribution in the midfield. He has started in three of four games, logging four tackels, three interceptions and three crosses (one accurate).

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Mattia Viti - Dependable in Juventus bout Viti won three of four tackles, had five clearances and took one off-target shot in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Viti made his presence felt in the back as the Empoli defense engulfed the opposing strikers for the most part. He's been a solid day-one starter in his return to Empoli, tallying 17 tackles, two interceptions and 17 clearances in four matches, with two clean sheets.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Ardian Ismajli - Fills it up versus Juventus Ismajli registered one tackle (one won), nine clearances, two blocks and one interception in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Juventus.

Impact Ismajli was impeccable despite the daunting match-up, helping his side keep an impressive clean sheet. He has contributed to two in four games, posting 38 clearances, four interceptions and five blocks.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Saba Goglichidze - Stout in Juventus clash Goglichidze recorded one cross (zero accurate), one clearance, one block and three tackles (two won) in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Goglichidze started for the second match in a row as newcomers Mattia De Sciglio and Saba Sazonov weren't fully ready yet and had another quality display, which will keep him in contention for a while longer. He has logged seven tackles, three interceptions and eight clearances in two games.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Giuseppe Pezzella - Sends in two crosses versus Juventus Pezzella (undisclosed) drew two fouls and had two crosses (zero accurate) and three tackles (one won) in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Juventus.

Impact Pezzella saw a full complement of minutes despite a small issue in the most recent game and attacked less than usual given the caliber of the opponents. He has registered one assist, three key passes, 18 crosses (three accurate) and ten tackles (six won) in four matches.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Devis Vasquez - Shows up against Juventus Vasquez had three saves and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Juventus.

Impact Vasquez denied a pair of juicy scoring chances to keep his second clean sheet of the season in a tough spot. He has given up two goals and made 13 saves in four appearances. Empoli will face Cagliari away Friday.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

EMPOLI-JUVENTUS 0-0 | HIGHLIGHTS | Bianconeri held by sturdy Tuscans | Serie A 2024/25

SEPTEMBER 14 • YOUTUBE

🔴 LIVE | Warm up | EMPOLI - JUVENTUS | Serie A Enilive 2024/25

SEPTEMBER 14 • YOUTUBE

Ola Solbakken - Nursing muscular problem Solbakken missed Saturday's match versus Juventus due to a right thigh issue, Tuttomercatoweb informed.

Impact Solbakken will undergo some tests after the game and risk sitting out multiple fixtures unless the injury is really minor. Sebastiano Esposito played the majority of the match in relief.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Ola Solbakken - Late scratch for Juventus tilt Solbakken will be on the stands for Saturday's game versus Juventus, La Gazzetta dello Sport relayed.

Impact Solbakken started the last two matches and was reportedly in contention but suffered a late physical problem and won't be involved. Sebastiano Esposito and Lorenzo Colombo are partnering up in the frontline, while Pietro Pellegri and Emmanuel Ekong are on the bench.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Tyronne Ebuehi - Not coming back after the break Ebuehi (knee) is ways away from returning from his ACL tear, La Nazione reported.

Impact Ebuehi didn't suffer a setback, but the team is taking a cautious approach, and he'll be available only once he's completely ready. Emmanuel Gyasi, Mattia De Sciglio and Junior Sambia will play on the right wing in the meantime.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Tyronne Ebuehi - Not coming back after the break Ebuehi (knee) is ways away from returning from his ACL tear, La Nazione reported.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Szymon Zurkowski - Will continue to rehab Zurkowski (ankle) should be back in late September or early October, La Nazione reported.

Impact Zurkowski is progressing in his rehab from ankle surgery but isn't quite ready yet and will miss at least two or three more matches. With Jacopo Fazzini (hip) also on the mend, Sebastiano Esposito, Liam Henderson and Faustino Anjorin will pick up the slack.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Jacopo Fazzini - Will miss some time Fazzini has been diagnosed with a low-grade flexor strain in his left hip, Empoli announced.

Impact Fazzini will have to sit out a couple of matches after getting hurt with Italy U-21. The coach could deploy Sebastiano Esposito and Ola Solbakken together behind the striker or turn to Liam Henderson or Faustino Anjorin.

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Giuseppe Pezzella - Escapes without injuries Pezzella (undisclosed) wasn't limited in the first training session following the Bologna game, Quotidiano Nazionale reported.

Impact Pezzella left the last match a little early due to some muscular discomfort but didn't pick up significant problems and will most likely retain his starting in the Juventus clash Saturday. He has assisted once and added three key passes, 16 crosses (five crosses) and seven corners in three games so far.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Jacopo Fazzini - Sent back by Italy U-21 Fazzini will report to Empoli early due to a possible thigh injury, Sky Italy reported.

Impact Fazzini lasted only a few minutes due to muscular discomfort during a Euro qualifier and will be assessed in the coming days by his team, as he wouldn't have been available for the second international match on the schedule. Empoli will face Juventus on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jacopo Fazzini - Muted against Bologna Fazzini drew one foul and generated three tackles (two won), one clearance and one interception in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Bologna.

Impact Fazzini took a step back compared to the first two matches but still did his past defensively. He won't face much competition until Szymon Zurkowski (ankle) is 100 percent, but the two can also star together. He has logged three shots (one on target), two key passes and seven tackles in three rounds.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Ardian Ismajli - Very busy in Bologna fixture Ismajli drew one foul and had one tackle (one won), 17 clearances and one interception in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Impact Ismajli held the backline together throughout the match and thwarted several actions with his timely interventions. He'll be a full-time starter as long as he's healthy, which has been an issue for him at times in the past. He has registered three interceptions, 29 clearances and three blocks in three games, contributing to one clean sheet.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Saba Goglichidze - Wins four tackles against Bologna Goglichidze registered four tackles (four won), seven clearances and three interceptions in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Impact Goglichidze got the call after the departure of Sebastian Walukiewicz and, while he looked shaky at times, he filled the stat sheet in his Serie A debut nine months after his arrival. He'll face competition from Mattia De Sciglio, Liberato Cacace and Lorenzo Marianucci from here on out.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastiano Esposito - Active off the bench versus Bologna Esposito drew two fouls and registered four crosses (one accurate), two interceptions and two corners in 29 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Impact Esposito was used as a sub for the second consecutive fixture since Ola Solbakken got the nod but was still one of the most active men for his side and paced it in crosses. He has notched five crosses (one accurate), two key passes and five deliveries (one accurate) in three appearances.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

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