Empoli’s four-year stay in Serie A came to an agonizing end following a 2-1 defeat to Hellas Verona at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, a result that confirmed their relegation to Serie B despite having picked up two wins in their last three matches.
Just like the previous season, Empoli’s fight for survival went down to the wire. Back then, a dramatic 93rd-minute winner secured their top-flight status. But this time, there was no such fairytale ending.
Trouble struck early when Verona opened the scoring within the first four minutes. Suat Serdar struck a sweet effort into the bottom-left corner, leaving goalkeeper Devis Vásquez helpless.
Though Empoli spent most of the first half pressing forward, Roberto D’Aversa’s side couldn’t carve out any real threats on goal, despite their dominance.
Their persistence eventually paid off just before halftime. Sebastiano Esposito’s header was initially parried by Vasquez, but Jacopo Fazzini reacted fastest, sliding in to tap home the rebound from close range.
After the break, the Azzurri continued to control proceedings. However, their inability to turn possession into meaningful chances proved costly, with both teams failing to produce a single shot on target in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Empoli’s missed opportunities would come back to haunt them. Verona reclaimed the lead late on, with Domagoj Bradaric nodding home from close range after meeting a pinpoint cross from Jackson Tchatchoua.
The visitors held firm in the closing stages to secure safety and a 14th-place finish in the Serie A table.
For Empoli, however, the curtain falls on their time in the top flight, as they drop to Serie B after four straight seasons in Italy’s premier division.
