“Stiven Shpendi struck inside the opening minute to hand Empoli a stunning early lead, catching Monza completely cold before the hosts had settled.”
Pivotal“Andrea Petagna levelled for Monza, converting to make it 1-1 and reflect the hosts' growing dominance after recovering from their early shock.”
Pivotal“Filippo Delli Carri put Monza ahead for the first time in the match, finishing to make it 2-1 and seemingly set the hosts up for three vital points.”
Pivotal“Stiven Shpendi completed his brace with an equaliser deep into stoppage time, snatching a 2-2 draw for Empoli and denying Monza what would have been a significant three points.”
Pivotal
Monza
Empoli
Outstanding performance
Empoli•AttackerEmpoli drew first blood in sensational fashion when Stiven Shpendi finished inside sixty seconds, but Monza's considerable territorial dominance eventually told. With 65% possession, 20 shots, and 51 dangerous attacks, the hosts were thoroughly in control for long stretches, and Andrea Petagna's equaliser before the half-hour restored parity. Monza then appeared to be closing in on all three points when Filippo Delli Carri put them ahead on 65 minutes, a lead that looked secure as Empoli — with just 35% of the ball and a high foul count of 17 — struggled to fashion clear chances in a fractious second half. But Shpendi had other ideas, popping up in the dying seconds to cancel out Delli Carri's effort and earn Empoli a point that, given the run of play, Monza will feel belongs to them. Both sides remain locked in a tense Serie B promotion battle, and this dropped home result could prove costly for Monza given the form context coming into the fixture.
How entertaining was this match?
Agustin Alvarez Martinez comes on for Andrea Petagna.
Dany Mota Carvalho comes on for Adam Bakoune.
Samuele Birindelli's left-footed shot is saved.
Gerard Yepes takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Andrea Petagna's right-footed shot is blocked.
Marco Nasti takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Lorenzo Lucchesi's header is saved.
Duccio Degli Innocenti replaces Andrea Ghion.
Giuseppe Caso takes a right-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 1-1.
Samuele Birindelli takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Salvatore Elia takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Patrick Cutrone takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Hernani Azevedo Junior takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Andrea PetagnaShot by Andrea Petagna with his left foot results in a goal.
Andrea Petagna takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Antonio Candela's right-footed shot is saved.
Andrea Petagna's left-footed shot is saved.
Patrick Cutrone takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Hernani Azevedo Junior takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Andrea Petagna takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Andrea Carboni takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Samuele Birindelli's header is blocked.
Patrick Cutrone takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Matteo PessinaYellow CardMatteo Pessina receives a yellow card.
Stiven ShpendiSteven Shpendi takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Goal! Steven Shpendi scores, making it 0-1.
With the Serie B season entering its final stretch, Friday night at the U-Power Stadium carries enormous weight — Monza are chasing automatic promotion from 3rd place while Empoli desperately need points to escape the relegation zone. Two former Serie A clubs with contrasting ambitions collide in a match that could define both their seasons.
