EMPOLI NEWS

Szymon Zurkowski - Silent against Milan Zurkowski took one shot on target, sent in one inaccurate cross and won one of three tackles and six duels in Saturday's 0-1 loss to Milan.

Impact Zurkowski contributed more to the passive phase than in the final third in a rather underwhelming display. He has scored once in the last four tilts, adding seven shots, five chances, six crosses and six tackles. Empoli will host Verona Sunday.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andrea Pinamonti - Sputters again in Milan clash Pinamonti took one off-target shot, had one block, won five duels and was dispossessed once in Saturday's 0-1 loss to Milan.

Impact Pinamonti was poorly fed in this one and saw his scoring slump grow to four matches, where he posted three just three shots and one cross. He has found the target nine times in 28 matches in the season. Empoli will host Verona Sunday.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guglielmo Vicario - Concedes once against Milan Vicario had four saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 0-1 loss to Milan.

Impact Vicario turned in another solid performance, stopping multiple shots on goal, but Pierre Kalulu beat him with a surgical strike from outside the box. He has kept two clean sheets in the last six games, surrendering seven goals and making 18 saves. Milan will face Cagliari away Saturday.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nedim Bajrami - Picks up injury against Milan Bajrami sent in three inaccurate crosses, won one of two tackles and left Saturday's 0-1 loss to Milan after 71 minutes due to a right thigh problem, coach Aurelio Andreazzoli info...

Impact Bajrami did not have a great display and was picturing clutching the area a couple of times before the coach took him out. He will be assessed ahead of Sunday's home game versus Verona. Federico Di Francesco and Valerio Verre would be next in line if he was forced to miss time.

MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

AC Milan takes 5-point lead at top of Serie A

AC Milan took another significant step toward its first Serie A title since 2011 by grinding out a 1-0 win at home to midtable Empoli

MARCH 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MATCHDAY: Man United hosts Tottenham; Milan welcomes Empoli

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be available when Manchester United hosts Tottenham in a Premier League game with European implications for both teams

MARCH 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giroud delivers in big games as AC Milan chases title

Olivier Giroud has scored 11 goals in all competitions since joining AC Milan from Chelsea in the offseason but it is his ability to do it in big matches that could prove to be the...

MARCH 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mattia Viti - Unused against Genoa Viti (thigh) did not feature in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Genoa.

Impact Viti was available following a one-game absence, but the coach made different choices in the back. He will look to challenge primarily Sebastiano Luperto in the next few matches. He has recorded 15 tackles, 19 interceptions and 47 clearances in 14 appearances, with two clean sheets.

MARCH 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ardian Ismajli - Eligible for Milan game Ismajli completed his one-match suspension in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Empoli.

Impact Ismajli will be available for Saturday's away game versus Milan, however he has started just once in the past four matches, where Simone Romagnoli and Sebastiano Luperto have seen more minutes. He has logged ten tackles, 24 interceptions, 70 clearances and nine blocks in 16 appearances (12 starts), with two clean sheets.

MARCH 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Petar Stojanovic - Makes defensive contributions Stojanovic had one cross, two interceptions, three tackles, three fouls and sustained two fouls in the 0-0 draw with Genoa on Sunday.

Impact Though his side's offense wasn't clicking, the defensive effort never surrendered against Genoa. Stojanovic has been crossing a lot recently and tackling less, while this appearance seemed to reverse that trend. It is unclear whether he will be able to combine all the elements of his game effectively in the next match against AC Milan.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Benassi - Logs three tackles in draw Benassi had one cross, three tackles and sustained two fouls in the 0-0 draw with Genoa on Sunday. The midfielder has not been playing well in his last five appearances after missi...

Impact Benassi had a relatively quiet showing, but he was ready to make some defensive stops with the opportunity came.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Szymon Zurkowski - Plays strong defense Zurkowski had one cross, one interception, four tackles, two fouls, created one chance and was fouled once in the 0-0 draw with Genoa on Sunday.

Impact Zurkowski and the rest of his side were primarily focused on making stops in this match. Though the midfielder did have a cross, something he does occasionally, defense was his greatest contribution. He will need to match this effort in the next match against AC Milan.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fabiano Parisi - Contributes to offense and defense Parisi had one shot (off target), two crosses, one interception, five tackles, created one chance and was fouled twice in the 0-0 draw with Genoa on Sunday.

Impact Genoa pushed hard on offense, and the key for Parisi and the rest of his side was defense. While the defender did manage to log a few crosses, one of his specialties, the key to holding on to the draw was defense. This will also be necessary in the next match against AC Milan.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guglielmo Vicario - Logs six saves in clean sheet Vicario had six saves and conceded no goals in the 0-0 draw with Genoa on Sunday.

Impact Though Genoa came out firing, Vicario was able to stop everything that came his way. The keeper has gone the last three appearances without a clean sheet, and it may be difficult for him to do it again in the next match against AC Milan.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mattia Viti - Bench option for Genoa game Viti (thigh) is available for Sunday's match versus Genoa.

Impact Viti is good to go after sitting out one game with a minor issue, but Sebastiano Luperto is getting the nod over him in this one. He has tallied two chances, 15 tackles, 19 interceptions and 47 clearances in 14 appearances.

MARCH 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ardian Ismajli - Suspended for Genoa match Ismajli won three of three tackles and seven duels, had two clearances and picked up his fifth yellow card in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Ismajli returned to the XI after three matches where he was mostly unused and had an okay performance, but he will have to sit out one game due to yellow-card accumulation. Simone Romagnoli will likely get the nod in next Sunday's road game against Genoa.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Filippo Bandinelli - Delivers five crosses in Juventus match Bandinelli sent in five crosses (one accurate), created one scoring chance and had one interception in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Bandinelli furnished the usual moderately productive outing on offense that makes him a middle-of-the-road fantasy option. He has provided two assists in the last six matches, adding ten shots, seven chances and 20 crosses. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastiano Luperto - Provides assist against Juventus Luperto had four interceptions, won three duels and two of two tackles and picked up an assist in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Luperto returned to the XI after a while as Mattia Viti was missing and played solid defense even though his side gave up three goals. He slipped to Andrea La Mantia in the box ahead of the final goal of the game. He has posted 21 tackles, 30 interceptions, 69 clearances and 16 blocks in 15 appearances, with one clean sheet. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andrea La Mantia - Hits net in Juventus clash La Mantia took one shot on target, won one duel and scored a goal in 20 minutes in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact La Mantia slashed Juventus' lead in half late in the game by slotting it home from close range. It is his first goal since early December and he had rarely featured since. He has posted two goals, one assist, nine shots and five chances in 11 appearances (one start). Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Szymon Zurkowski - Scores against Juventus Zurkowski took four shots (four on target), sent in three inaccurate crosses, won two of two tackles and scored a goal in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Zurkowski led his team in shots and solved a scrum in the six-yard box to equalize the game in the first half. He is now up to five goals in the season. He has tallied eight shots, seven chances and six crosses in the last five matches. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mattia Viti - Misses Juventus game Viti was unavailable for Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus due to a late injury, DAZN's sideline reporter informed.

Impact Viti picked up an injury in the final practice of the week and was replaced by Sebastiano Luperto in this one. He is headed for some tests in the next few days. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Valerio Verre - Subs in late versus Juventus Verre (thigh) sent in one inaccurate cross, had one successful take-on and won one duel in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Verre returned after a one-game absence as expected, but he did not see enough playing time to make an impact. He will try to challenge Federico Di Francesco and Patrick Cutrone in the next few matches. He has appeared three times off the bench since joining Empoli, taking two shots. They will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nedim Bajrami - Productive against Juventus Bajrami sent in eight crosses (three accurate), created four scoring chances, won two of two tackles and had one successful take-on in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Bajrami was the main source of offense for his side as per usual and was particularly dangerous on corner kicks, but he did not manage to make the stat-sheet in this one. He has tallied one goal, one assist, 12 shots and 35 crosses in the last five tilts. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andrea Pinamonti - Held in check by Juventus Pinamonti took two off-target shots, sent in one inaccurate cross and won two duels in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Pinamonti did not manage to break his chains in this one and took a step back compared to his recent outings. He has scored twice, taken 12 shots and created four chances in the last five matches. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Di Francesco - Fairly quiet against Juventus Di Francesco sent in three inaccurate crosses, had one interception, drew three fouls and won three duels in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Di Francesco returned to the XI after nearly two months, but he did not fully take advantage of his increased playing time. He will continue to split time with Patrick Cutrone, Liam Henderson and Valerio Verre going forward. He has tallied four goals, 24 shots, 14 chances and 32 crosses in 18 matches (13 starts). Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE