Empoli Team News Page 5 - Soccer

Liam Henderson - Works hard versus Bologna Henderson registered four clearances, one block and two interceptions in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Impact Henderson stayed in the XI despite the return of Alberto Grassi, as Youssef Maleh was the odd man out in this one, and brought the hustle in the midfield. He has started in every match so far, contributing across the board and tallying six key passes, seven crosses (four accurate) and six clearances.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Giuseppe Pezzella - Dishes assist against Bologna Pezzella assisted once to go with three crosses (one accurate), one corner, and three clearances in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bologna.

Impact Pezzella had a dynamic display and perfectly teed up Emmanuel Gyasi with a long cross after a scamper down the wing. He left midway through the second half after receiving some medical attention, and he'll be assessed in the coming days to see if it were something more than cramps. His deputy is Liberato Cacace.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Emmanuel Gyasi - Finds the target versus Bologna Gyasi scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Impact Gyasi bagged his second consecutive goal, depositing the ball into the net with his chest at the end of a quick counter. He has already surpassed his production from last season. He has posted four shots (three on target), four tackles and two crosses (two accurate) in three matches.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Devis Vasquez - Concedes once against Bologna Vasquez registered three saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Bologna.

Impact Vasquez was beaten right away by a tap-in by Giovanni Fabbian on a corner kick but turned away a few attempts throughout the match. He has given up two goals, made 10 saves, and kept one clean sheet in three games. Empoli will host Juventus after the international break.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

BOLOGNA-EMPOLI 1-1 | HIGHLIGHTS | Thrilling game opens with two goals in 3 minutes | Serie A 2024/25

AUGUST 31 • YOUTUBE

Junior Sambia - Dealt to Empoli Sambia is headed to Empoli on loan from Sampdoria, the club announced.

Impact Sambia found his way back to Serie A after two okay seasons at Salernitana even though he wasn't a regular starter. He notched 19 key passes, 61 crosses (15 accurate) and 37 clearances in 40 appearances (17 starts). He'll have a similar role at Empoli, providing depth in a few roles.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Pietro Pellegri - Transfers to Empoli Pellegri is headed to Empoli on loan with an option to buy from Torino, the club confirmed.

Impact Pellegri joins a few days after Francesco Caputo's departure and will play second fiddle to Lorenzo Colombo initially, as his new teammate is off to a solid start. The two could also occasionally star together. He had trouble staying healthy at Torino, plus he was facing stiff competition. He played 24 times (seven starts) in 2023/2024, logging one goal, one assist, 13 shots (four on target) and four key passes.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Saba Sazonov - Moves to Empoli Sazonov has joined Empoli on loan with an option to buy from Torino, the team announced.

Impact Sazonov failed to obtain a consistent role in his maiden Serie A season, tallying nine tackles, three interceptions and 20 clearances in 12 appearances (two starts). He'll have a chance to play more at Empoli, as he's coming in as part of the deal for former starter Sebastian Walukiewicz. He'll compete with Mattia De Sciglio, Petar Stojanovic and a few youngsters.

AUGUST 30 • ROTOWIRE

Mattia De Sciglio - Moves to Empoli De Sciglio has transferred to Empoli on loan from Juventus, the club relayed.

Impact De Sciglio starred just seven times after recovering from a major knee injury last season and will have significantly better chances of being a regular at Empoli, either as a center-back or as a defensive-minded option on the right wing. He posted 10 crosses, four tackles and three interceptions in 2023/2024.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Tino Anjorin - Transfers to Empoli Anjorin has completed a transfer to Empoli from Chelsea, according to his former club.

Impact Anjorin has found a new landing spot, departing his boyhood club to head to Italy and link up with Empoli. He only ever saw minimal time with Chelsea's first team, appearing twice (one start) for a total of 99 minutes of play, having mainly gone on loan during his tenure with the club. He will look to see more time with his new club, although that isn't guaranteed to begin, likely having to work his way up the depth chart before a shot at starting time.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Alberto Grassi - Serves suspension Grassi completed a three-game ban in Sunday's 2-1 win over Roma.

Impact Grassi will be eligible for the first time against Bologna on Sunday and likely start over Liam Henderson and Nicholas Haas in the midfield next to Youssef Maleh if he's close to 100 percent. He was sidelined for three games due to a combination of infractions. He was a regular when healthy last season, tallying 30 tackles, 41 interceptions and 35 clerances in 27 matches and providing one assist.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

ROMA-EMPOLI 1-2 | HIGHLIGHTS | Roma stunned at home by Empoli! | Serie A 2024/25

AUGUST 25 • YOUTUBE

Devis Vasquez - Six saves in win Vasquez allowed a goal while making six saves during Sunday's 2-1 win over Roma.

Impact Vasquez allowed a goal in the 80th minute, but was backed with two goals as Empoli claimed all three points. The keeper has allowed just one goal while combining for seven saves through the opening two matches of the season with a trip to Bologna on the horizon next week.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Emmanuel Gyasi - Opens the scoring Sunday Gyasi scored a goal while taking two shots (one on goal) during Sunday's 2-1 win over Roma.

Impact Gyasi found the back of the net in the 45th minute to open the scoring in the match. The goal was a rare one for Gyasi as he matched all of last season's total Sunday in 31 fewer appearances.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Colombo - Involved in both Empoli goals Colombo scored a goal and had an assist with his lone chance created while taking three shots (one on goal) during Sunday's 2-1 win over Roma.

Impact Colombo set up Emmanuel Gyasi in the 45th minute before converting a penalty in the 61st to play a role in both Empoli goals while leading the team with three shots. The goal and assist were both the first of Colombo's Empoli career as he's started both Serie A matches since joining the club in July.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Francesco Caputo - Absent for Roma game Caputo won't be called up for Sunday's match versus Roma for transfer market-related reasons, Gianluca Di Marzio reported.

Impact Caputo got five minutes in the opener, as Lorenzo Colombo has quickly become the top option, and starred 20 times (15 stats) in 2023/2024. He might come to terms on a mutual partying of the ways.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastian Walukiewicz - Makes six clearances in draw Walukiewicz recorded two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Monza.

Impact Walukiewicz led Empoli in clearances to help them keep the clean sheet during the season debut. The centerback had 120 clearances in 27 appearances (23 starts) for the club in 2023-24. He will likely remain as an important piece of the defense in the current campaign.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Giuseppe Pezzella - Sends in eight crosses versus Monza Pezzella had eight crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Monza.

Impact Pezzella led Empoli in crosses during the match, but they failed to win at home in the season debut. The midfielder logged eight or more crosses just twice in 2023-24. He did not score or assist, though.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastiano Esposito - Takes four shots in draw Esposito registered four shots (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Monza.

Impact Esposito led Empoli in shots during the match, but couldn't help them earn three points at home. The forward logged six goals and six assists in Serie B play in 2023/24. He will look to top that number as he now earned a shot in first division.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

Devis Vasquez - Keeps clean sheet in debut Vasquez made one save and allowed zero goals in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Monza.

Impact Vasquez started for Empoli and logged a clean sheet in their season debut, but it wasn't enough to earn the win at home. The goalkeeper wasn't really tested and made just one save during the match. He will now look for more at Roma on Sunday.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

EMPOLI-MONZA 0-0 | HIGHLIGHTS | The side split the points in Tuscany | Serie A 2024/25

AUGUST 17 • YOUTUBE

Sebastian Walukiewicz - Starting against Monza Walukiewicz (undisclosed) is in the starting XI Saturday to face Monza.

Impact Walukiewicz has overcome his injury woes and has returned for the club's opening match of the season, having found himself in a starting spot Saturday. He should continue to see consistent time for the club now that he is fit, starting in 23 of his 27 appearances last campaign.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastian Walukiewicz - Probable for Monza match Walukiewicz (undisclosed) "overcame his injury, but we have to assess the fact that he hasn't played in a while," coach Roberto D'Aversa announced.

Impact Walukiewicz is likely to be an option after an off-season injury, but, considering the coach's words, he might begin on the bench to manage his minutes after his absence. He and Ardan Ismajli are both banged up, and the gaffer could opt to field just one of the two from the start. Mattia Viti will be in the XI, while the other options are Liberato Cacace, Saba Goglichidze and Luca Marianucci.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Ola Solbakken - Heads to Empoli Solbakken has transferred to Empoli on loan with an option to buy from Roma, the two teams announced.

Impact Solbakken will look to bounce back in Serie A after two forgettable loan spells at Olympiacos and Urawa Red Diamonds. He'll have a better shot at being a regular than in his six months at Roma, where he posted one goal, two assists, 11 key passes and 12 crosses (five accurate) in 14 appearances (seven starts).

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Youssef Maleh - Returns to Empoli Maleh has joined Empoli on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Lecce, the club announced.

Impact Maleh is poised for his second consecutive loan spell in Tuscany and, since Empoli haven't signed many midfielders this summer, he should continue having a prominent role. He logged 34 key passes, 47 crosses (15 accurate) and 74 tackles in 34 matches (30 starts) in 2023/2024, assisting once.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

EMPOLI NEWS

NEWS

SCHEDULE

STANDINGS

ROSTER

VIDEOS

STATS

ODDS