Empoli 3-1 Padova
Updated
Empoli won: Empoli 3-1 Padova in the Serie B (Round 1) on Sat, 23 Aug 2025 at Stadio Carlo Castellani – Computer Gross Arena, Empoli. Empoli goals: Stiven Shpendi 20', Bogdan Popov 41', Bogdan Popov 66'. Padova goals: Mattia Bortolussi 25'. Expected goals: 1.64-0.61. Possession: 52-48. Player of the match: Bogdan Popov (8.9).
Match report
Empoli beat Padova 3-1
Empoli saw off Padova 3-1 at Stadio Carlo Castellani – Computer Gross Arena on Saturday 23 August in Serie B.
Stiven Shpendi put Empoli ahead on 20' (1-0), Mattia Bortolussi levelled for Padova on 25' (1-1), Bogdan Popov restored Empoli's lead on 41' (2-1) and added another on 66' (3-1).
Empoli had 52% of the ball, shots were 15-9 (4-4 on target) and expected goals finished 1.64-0.61. Empoli were the better side on chances, too.
Bogdan Popov (Empoli) was player of the match with an 8.9 rating.
Attendance: 6,137. Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi.
Match stats
| Empoli | Padova | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 52 | 48 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 1.64 | 0.61 |
| Total shots | 15 | 9 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 4 |
| Touches in opposition box | 30 | 23 |
| Big chances | 3 | 1 |
| Big chances missed | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate passes | 297 (78%) | 265 (73%) |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 4 |
| Corners | 6 | 4 |
| Total shots | 15 | 9 |
| Shots off target | 6 | 3 |
| Shots on target | 4 | 4 |
| Blocked shots | 5 | 2 |
| Hit woodwork | 0 | 0 |
| Shots inside box | 12 | 8 |
Lineups
Empoli (3-4-1-2): Andrea Fulignati, Marco Curto, Matteo Lovato, Nosa Edward Obaretin, Salvatore Elia, Luca Belardinelli, Gerard Yepes, Lorenzo Ignacchiti, Franco Carboni, Stiven Shpendi, Rares Ilie
Padova (3-4-2-1): Mattia Fortin, Francesco Belli, Lorenzo Villa, Carlo Faedo, Alessandro Capelli, Pietro Fusi, Daniele Baselli, Luca Di Maggio, Antonio Barreca, Kevin Varas, Mattia Bortolussi
Key events
- 20' · Goal · Stiven Shpendi (Empoli)
- 25' · Goal · Mattia Bortolussi (Padova)
- 28' · Substitution · Bogdan Popov for Stiven Shpendi (Empoli)
- 41' · Goal · Bogdan Popov (Empoli)
- 45'+3 · Yellow card · Gerard Yepes (Empoli)
- 49' · Yellow card · Alessandro Capelli (Padova)
- 55' · Yellow card · Daniele Baselli (Padova)
- 57' · Yellow card · Antonio Barreca (Padova)
- 65' · Substitution · Paolo Ghiglione for Luca Di Maggio (Padova)
- 65' · Substitution · Marco Perrotta for Francesco Belli (Padova)
- 66' · Goal · Bogdan Popov (Empoli)
- 74' · Substitution · Jonas Harder for Alessandro Capelli (Padova)
- 74' · Substitution · Cristian Buonaiuto for Daniele Baselli (Padova)
- 74' · Yellow card · Paolo Ghiglione (Padova)
- 79' · Substitution · Joseph Ceesay for Rares Ilie (Empoli)
- 81' · Substitution · Kevin Lasagna for Pietro Fusi (Padova)
- 88' · Substitution · Tyronne Ebuehi for Salvatore Elia (Empoli)
- 88' · Substitution · Brando Moruzzi for Franco Carboni (Empoli)
- 88' · Substitution · Iwo Kaczmarski for Gerard Yepes (Empoli)
- 90'+3 · Yellow card · Luca Belardinelli (Empoli)
All-time head-to-head
12 league meetings since 2009: Empoli 5, draws 4, Padova 3.
Questions
Who won Empoli vs Padova?
Empoli won, 3-1 (Serie B) on Sat, 23 Aug 2025.
When and where is Empoli vs Padova?
Sat, 23 Aug 2025, 17:00 UTC at Stadio Carlo Castellani – Computer Gross Arena, Empoli, Serie B.
What is the head-to-head record between Empoli and Padova?
In 12 league meetings since 2009: Empoli 5 wins, 4 draws, Padova 3 wins (goals 22-17).