The Carlo Castellani stadium serves as the backdrop for a Serie A sixth round match between the bottom half of Empoli and fourth-placed Roma.
It was a completely disappointing start to the new first division season for the home team.
Since a narrow 1-0 loss to Spezia on the opening weekend, Paolo Zanetti’s men have drawn four consecutive league games and could reach five straight for the first time since 2015.
Empoli tied Salernitana 2-2 last time out, scoring as many goals at the Stadio Arechi as they had in their first four Serie A games.
Visiting Rome is not the best of times. After a humiliating 4-0 loss to Udinese last weekend, the Giallorossi lost 2-1 to Ludogorets in midweek in the Europa League.
Desperate to get back to winning ways and consolidate their presence in the top four, Jose Mourinho’s youngsters are heading to Tuscany, where they have thrived in recent history.
Without further ado, let’s get to the preview.
Game Preview
Empoli
The main advantage Empoli have enjoyed in Serie A matches is their inability to hold onto their lead. Although they have broken the deadlock in their last three league matches, they have ended in a draw each time.
Having failed to score in four of their last six league games with Roma, the Glei Azzurri look like a team doomed before they even kick off.
On the bright side, Empoli is the only team in Serie A this season to have at least three strikers born after 2000!
Rome
Before collapsing at the Dacia Arena last time out, Roma had won three of their first four Serie A (D1) matches, all of them without a result.
Entering this clash as pre-match favorites, the Giallorossi have won their last six consecutive league matches against Empoli and are undefeated in 12 matches overall (W9, D3).
However, Mourinho’s men are winless in their last three away games (D1, L2), suggesting that their elusive H2H trajectory could be in jeopardy.
Empoli vs. potential Roma
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Guglielmo Vicario; Petar Stojanovic, Ardian Ismagli, Sebastiano Luberto, Fabiano Baresi; Nicholas Haas, Marin, Tommaso Baldanzi; Nadim Bjermy, Martin Satriano and Sam Lammers.
Rome (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio. Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Roger Ibanez; Rick Karsdorp, Maddy Camara, Nemanja Matic, Leonardo Spinazzola; Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini; Tammy Abraham.
