EMPOLI NEWS

Guglielmo Vicario - Concedes thrice against Juventus Vicario had two saves and surrendered three goals in Saturday's 2-3 loss to Juventus.

Impact Vicario did not have much of a chance on the goals, one coming from a point-blank header by Moise Kean and two on clinical finishes by Dusan Vlahovic. He has kept four clean sheets thus far, allowing 53 goals and making 100 saves in 27 matches. Empoli will face Genoa away next Sunday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vlahović scores 2 as injury-hit Juventus wins 3-2 at Empoli

Dušan Vlahović scored twice as injury-depleted Juventus won 3-2 at Empoli to move to within seven points of Serie A leader AC Milan

FEBRUARY 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Valerio Verre - Could be option against Juventus Verre returned to full practice in the lead-up of the Juventus game, Corriere dello Sport informs.

Impact Verre sat out the previous game, but the coach said that his issue was severe. The manager did not mention him in the pre-game presser. He will most likely be a bench option if indeed available. He has tallied two shots in two off-the-bench appearances with Empoli.

FEBRUARY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leader AC Milan drops points after 2-2 draw at Salernitana

Italian league leader AC Milan dropped crucial points in the title race after drawing 2-2 at last-place Salernitana

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Petar Stojanovic - Can't connect on six crosses Stojanovic had six crosses, two fouls and sustained two fouls in the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on Saturday.

Impact While making very little impact in any other category except his crosses, Stojanovic was vital in the offensive push to try and equalize. This performance is unlikely to repeat itself in the next match against Juventus, though, as the defender rarely logs more than two crosses per appearance.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fabiano Parisi - Launches in six crosses Parisi had six crosses, one block, one interception, two tackles, one foul and sustained three fouls in the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on Saturday.

Impact In a push to try and equalize, the entire squad worked together to try and make something happen against Sampdoria. While not a typical goal threat, Parisi is a consistent crosser, and in the next difficult matchup against Juventus he will need to match this effort.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Szymon Zurkowski - Plays solid defense Zurkowski had one shot (off target), one cross, one interception, four tackles, one foul, created three chances and was fouled twice in the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on Saturday.

Impact In Saturday's match, offense would have made a big difference, but defense kept Sampdoria from getting too far ahead. Zurkowski's defensive prowess was what kept this match close, and he even added a touch of offense. Hopefully this intensity keeps up in the next match against Juventus.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Benassi - Fires in four crosses Benassi had one shot (off target) and four crosses in the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on Saturday.

Impact Benassi came to play on Saturday, making this his four consecutive appearance after missing 11 matches. Unfortunately, his offensive output was minimal, and if he plays in the next match against Juventus he will likely continue to struggle.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nedim Bajrami - Misses all three shots Bajrami had three shots (one on goal), six crosses, one tackle and five corners in the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on Saturday.

Impact In an attempt to pull his squad back from behind, Bajrami pushed as hard as he could offensively. Normally an offensive threat, the forward hasn't scored a goal in his last three appearances. This is likely to continue into the next match against Juventus.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guglielmo Vicario - Gives up two goals Vicario had one save and conceded two goals in the 2-0 loss to Sampdoria on Saturday.

Impact With a lead in the standings, Sampdoria pull off an upset as Vicario couldn't make the stops he needed to. In the keeper's last several appearances, he is conceding a high amount of goals, which doesn't bode well for their next match against Juventus.

FEBRUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Valerio Verre - Ruled out for Sampdoria game Verre will not travel to Genoa due to a minor injury, coach Aurelio Andreazzoli announced.

Impact Verre will have to skip the match against his former team due to a muscular issue, something that has routinely affected him this season. Liam Henderson, Patrick Cutrone and Federico Di Francesco will be in contention for one spot next to Nadem Bajrami and Andrea Pinamoni Saturday, as it has been the case in the last few games.

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sebastiano Luperto - Will be option against Sampdoria Luperto (thigh) has shaken off his injury and will be available for Saturday's game versus Sampdoria, coach Aurelio Andreazzoli announced.

Impact Luperto is good to go after sitting out five matches due to a thigh strain. He might not be rushed back, though, since Empoli have a few options in the back. Simone Romagnoli and Mattia Viti fared well in the last two games, and also Lorenzo Tonelli and Ardian Ismajli are in the mix. Luperto has logged 19 tackles, 26 interceptions and 68 clearances in 14 matches with one clean sheet.

FEBRUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Andrea Pinamonti - Approaching double digit goals Pinamonti scored a goal while taking four shots (one on goal) and creating a chance during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Cagliari.

Impact Pinamonti found the back of the net in the 38th minute scoring the opening goal of the match. The goal was the ninth of the season for the forward while his four shots led Empoli in the draw.

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nedim Bajrami - Third assist of season Bajrami had an assist with his lone chance created while taking two shots (one on goal) and crossing ten times (one accurate) during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Cagliari.

Impact Bajrami set up Andrea Pinamonti in the 38th minute assisting the opening goal of the match. The assist was the third of the season for the attacker while his ten crosses led Empoli in the draw.

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guglielmo Vicario - Concedes late equalizer Vicario allowed a goal while making three saves during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Cagliari.

Impact Vicario allowed a late equalizer in the 84th minute as Empoli settled for a point on Sunday. The keeper has now allowed 48 goals in 25 league starts while his three saves upped his season total to 97.

FEBRUARY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Simone Romagnoli - Returns, does well at Bologna Romagnoli logged 11 clearances and two tackles won across 90 minutes during a 0-0 draw Sunday at Bologna.

Impact Instead of the Jan. 16 game against Venezia, Romagnoli logged his Serie A return -- from a fatigue-related thigh injury -- three weeks later. He recorded more clearances and won tackles than any other Empoli footballer did Sunday. The central defender could be a suitable temporary replacement for an unavailable Sebastiano Luperto (thigh).

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Petar Stojanovic - Creates three chances Stojanovic created three chances during a 0-0 draw Sunday at Bologna.

Impact Stojanovic created more chances than any of his Empoli teammates did Sunday. He will continue creating opportunities while remaining Empoli's primary right-back, a position that sets up goals often. Stojanovic created 12 chances across his last seven Serie A appearances.

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guglielmo Vicario - Maintains clean sheet Vicario maintained the clean sheet during a 0-0 draw Sunday at Bologna.

Impact Vicario logged his first Serie A clean sheet this year. He will try to maintain another goalless stat line Sunday versus Cagliari, one of few teams not averaging more than a goal across 24 league games.

FEBRUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

New signings Vlahovic and Zakaria star for Juventus

Dušan Vlahović has made a dream debut for Juventus

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Valerio Verre - Makes bench Sunday Verre is in the match day squad to face Bologna on Sunday.

Impact Verre returns after missing the previous four matches due to injury. The attacker starts from the bench but is available if called upon Sunday.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Petar Stojanovic - Fit for Sunday Stojanovic is fit and in the starting XI for Sunday's Serie A clash with Bologna.

Impact Stojanovic returns after missing the previous match due to an undisclosed reason. The defender takes up a spot in the Empoli back line for their Serie A clash with Bologna.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fabiano Parisi - Starting Sunday Parisi is fit and in the starting XI for Sunday's match with Bologna.

Impact Parisi returns after missing the past month due to a thigh strain. The defender takes up a role in the Empoli back line for Sunday's Serie A clash with Bolgona.

FEBRUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Valerio Verre - Should be option against Bologna Verre stated during his introductory presser that he is no longer dealing with an injury, but he is not in peak condition.

Impact Verre was unavailable for the past four games before departing Sampdoria. It appears that he has gotten healthier during the break and he could make the bench in Sunday's away game versus Bologna.

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Petar Stojanovic - Should be back against Bologna Stojanovic was spotted in practice in recent days, La Nazione informs.

Impact Stojanovic missed one game before the break for unknown reasons. He should reprise his starting role over Riccardo Fiamozzi Sunday versus Bologna. He has posted one goal, one assist, 32 clearances and 48 crosses in 20 appearances.

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fabiano Parisi - Probable for Bologna match Parisi (thigh) has returned to full training during the break, La Nazione reports.

Impact Parisi sat out the past month because of a serious thigh strain. He is expected to be available for Sunday's game versus Bologna, then it will be up to the coach to decide whether to start him right away or not. The other options are Riccardo Fiamozzi and newcomer Liberato Cacace. Parisi has logged one assist, seven shots, seven chances and 17 crosses in 11 appearances (six starts).

FEBRUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE