Football Italia Live Blog
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21:40 That is all for the Liveblog
Check the main site for more post-match coverage and we’ll see you tomorrow.
21:39 Match report
Verona hit the woodwork twice, while Udinese missed a couple of sitters before Diego Coppola snatched a last-gasp victory in this relegation dogfighthttps://t.co/WeWjFOCZPW #VeronaUdinese #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 20, 2024
21:37 FT: Verona 1-0 Udinese
These teams had the same points going in, so that is a huge victory to keep Verona clear of the drop zone.
21:33 Verona 1-0 Udinese: Diego Coppola!
Incredible, it’s the 93rd minute, the last seconds of the match, corner comes in and Coppola header into the far top corner!
21:32 Udinese sub
Success on for Lucca.
21:31 Verona again
Noslin header cleared not quite off the line, but in the six-yard box.
21:28 Verona off the crossbar!
Oooh! Set play into the box, Folorunsho header thumps the frame of the goal!
21:23 Verona subs
Suslov and Duda on, Cabal and Serdar off
21:21 Udinese sub
Joao Ferreira on for Ehizibue.
21:18 Verona sub
Ruben Vinagre replaces Lazovic.
21:16 It’s just chaos
The midfields have vanished, it’s just people trying to shoot from any angle. Serdar effort smothered after Noslin tries to flick it over Kristensen and yet another shot charged down.
21:15 Bijol wide
Udinese corner, Bijol nods it wide.
21:14 Udinese pushing
General Chaos! Udinese have about 4 shots in a row charged down.
21:12 Offside flag
Ehizibue shoots at Montipo’ one-on-one after running onto a ball over the top. Offside flag eventually goes up and that one was much tighter.
21:11 Series of Verona corners
After those wasted Udinese chances, now it’s Verona’s turn to pile on the pressure. Series of corners, Bijol decisive interception on the cross-shot, then Cabal fires at the goalkeeper.
21:04 Udinese goal disallowed!
Roberto Pereyra did brilliantly to control the pass and dribble around Montipo’ to deposit into the empty net. But he was offside.
21:03 Scorpion kick
Intriguing. Udinese corner flicked on, it’s behind Pereyra, so he attempts a scorpion kick and it loops onto the roof of the net.
20:59 Verona subs
Swiderski and Bonazzoli on, Mitrovic and Dani Silva off.
20:53 Udinese again
Samardzic corner and Bijol header is inches wide!
20:52 How?
Udinese, what happened there? Kamara cross from the left, Ehizibue is in front of the defender, he has to score from 10 yards – he doesn’t even make contact with the ball! Had all the time and space, just misjudged it completely. Shocker.
20:49 Udinese miss!
Samardzic gets to seven yards out, looks like he has to score, it’s on his weaker right foot so he back-heels it to Lucca to balloon over!
20:48 Verona attack
Folorunsho pulls back for Noslin, who is so eager to throw himself at the ball that he forgets where his feet are and stumbles.
20:46 2nd half kicks off: Verona 0-0 Udinese
20:31 Half-Time: Verona 0-0 Udinese
Two massive Verona chances right on the stroke of half-time there.
20:30 Verona hit the woodwork!
Totally free Noslin header on the corner, he hits it against the near post!
20:28 Verona chance!
Ooh! Pull-back from the by-line, Noslin just had to tap in from three yards, Ehizibue with an absolutely decisive block!
20:24 Verona unfortunate
Dani Silva controls well, shot from the edge of the area deflected off first Pereyra and then his teammate Noslin, so not even a corner.
20:18 Udinese close
Samardzic free kick goes just wide of the near post after bending around the wall.
20:16 Verona appeals
Centonze goes down under a nudge from Kamara. Not enough for a penalty.
20:14 Another card
Samardzic becomes the fourth player booked for a foul from behind.
20:11 Oh what a save!
That was a very strange corner, low and somehow came through to Lucca to prod it from eight yards, Montipo’ stuck out a boot to parry!
20:11 Udinese react
Samardzic goes down on the edge of the area, ref waves play on, Payero strike deflected for a corner.
20:07 Cabal over
Lazovic corner, Cabal nods over the bar.
20:06 Verona win a corner
Folorunsho just about keeps it in play at the by-line and pulls back, crucial block for a corner.
20:04 Ouch
Verona defender Centonze sprinting when his studs get caught in the turf. His leg turned in a rather odd way, fortunately he seems alright.
20:01 So many cards
As you’d expect from a relegation dogfight, it’s a bit feisty. Cabal and Walace both booked in the last couple of minutes.
20:00 Udinese push
Samardzic whips a free kick to the back post, Bijol at full stretch can’t quite get on the end of it.
19:58 Noslin too slow
Noslin runs into the box, takes too long to get the shot away and Bijol makes a decisive tackle. Serdar then late into his challenge and is booked.
19:53 Verona threaten
Corner kick finds Coppola, who shins it over from six yards!
19:50 Udinese chance
Free kick knocked down for Payero to blast over from the edge of the area.
19:45 We have kick-off in Verona vs. Udinese!
Hellas Verona: Montipò; Centonze, Magnani, Coppola, Cabal; Serdar, Dani Silva; Mitrovic, Folorunsho, Lazovic; Noslin.
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Payero, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca
19:44 A minute’s silence
A minute’s silence before all games this weekend for Mattia Giani, the player who died during a semi-pro game last week.
19:43 What a battle
Verona and Udinese are level on points, both one point clear of the drop zone.
19:20 Calzona apology
Francesco Calzona apologised to Napoli fans after their defeat to Empoli effectively ended Champions League ambitions. ‘The attitude of players is inconceivable' https://t.co/jAK3DyEq0B #Napoli #SerieA #EmpoliNapoli #SerieATIM #Calcio
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 20, 2024
19:00 Verona-Udinese
The Friulani have a game in hand, as last week’s match with Roma was suspended at the 72nd minute with the scores at 1-1, so the remaining 20 minutes will be played on April 25.
Serdar returns from his ban for the hosts, while Sandi Lovric, Florian Thauvin, Lautaro Giannetti, Keinan Davis, Enzo Ebosse and Gerard Deulofeu didn’t make the trip.
18:54 Verona vs. Udinese line-ups
Hellas Verona: Montipò; Centonze, Magnani, Coppola, Cabal; Serdar, Dani Silva; Mitrovic, Folorunsho, Lazovic; Noslin.
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Bijol, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Payero, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca
18:53 Napoli players getting insulted
Napoli players standing under the away end getting lectured, shouted at and insulted by their own fans. A very Italian football scene.
18:51 Match report
Napoli suffered a humiliating defeat to relegation strugglers Empoli, as Alberto Cerri ended his three-year Serie A goal drought https://t.co/IkOucTHxLB #EmpoliNapoli #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 20, 2024
18:50 FT: Empoli 1-0 Napoli
A huge result for Empoli, who had lost five of their last six. Fully deserved.
18:47 Ngonge effort
Ngonge has a hopefully attempt charged down on the edge of the area, but not sure it was going on target anyway.
18:46 Into stoppages
4 minutes. Napoli look like they really don’t believe they can score.
18:44 Napoli sub
Simeone on, Anguissa off.
18:40 It has to be said
We cannot think of a genuine scoring opportunity where Napoli really tested Empoli.
18:38 Caprile alert
Through ball for Osimhen, Caprile is very quick off his line and gets two hands on the ball before Osimhen catches him on the wrist.
18:37 Empoli subs
Cacace and Bastoni on, the absolutely exhausted Grassi and Pezzella off.
18:35 Napoli tension growing
Napoli fans ramped up their protest against not just the players, but also urged President Aurelio De Laurentiis to ‘sell the club.’ https://t.co/5KNtNxqdJl #Napoli #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM #EmpoliNapoli
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 20, 2024
18:32 Oof
That was rude. Ostigard whacked up an arm to hit Luperto in the throat as they were wrestling on a corner. He’s ok now, but was struggling to breathe for a bit.
18:30 Osimhen scare
Osimhen threatened to go clear on a through ball, but Luperto managed to sprint back and get there first.
18:27 Napoli subs
Raspadori and Ngonge on, Politano and Kvaratskhelia off. Politano seemed to say something not exactly kind to Calzona there…
18:25 Empoli subs
Cancellieri and Zurkowski on, Fazzini and Cambiaghi off.
18:22 Getting closer
Kvaratskhelia dribbles past two, finish deflected inches over the bar! Corner.
18:22 Politano run
Politano dribbles forward, he does shoot and it’s deflected over, Osimhen waves his arms demanding a pass.
18:20 Oh Anguissa
It was all going so well. Anguissa dribbles into the box, shakes off a defender, can go for goal, instead tries to lay it off for Osimhen and gets the pass all wrong.
18:19 Napoli pressure
Pressure yes, but no accuracy. Crosses over-hit, passes under-hit. Not breaking Empoli down at all.
18:14 Caprile save
Caprile punches away the Politano free kick and is then clattered by Ostigard. The rain has resumed in Empoli. With sun. At least we might get a rainbow.
18:13 Bereszynski carded
Osimhen tries to sprint forward, cuts inside Bereszynski and has his heels clipped.
18:09 Pezzella booked
Brings down Politano.
18:08 Ouch
Di Lorenzo attempted a shimmy, but cutting inside ran straight into Maleh’s shoulder.
18:05 Politano chance
Cuts inside, left-foot low curler deflected just wide for a corner. On that corner, Anguissa knocks it down for Juan Jesus shot charged down.
18:03 Di Lorenzo cross
Di Lorenzo cross to the back post for the Invisible Man.
18:00 2nd half kicks off: Empoli 1-0 Napoli
17:59 Napoli sub
Natan off, Mazzocchi on. Mazzocchi was meant to start, but was debilitated by flu.
17:46 Half-Time: Empoli 1-0 Napoli
The loud jeers show you just how many Napoli fans are here – circa 4,000.
17:41 Fazzini got a knock
Accidental, was on the end of a flailing Natan arm.
17:38 Empoli swarming
Series of crosses, deflections, half-headers until eventually it is fired over because Cambiaghi slips. Napoli are struggling badly.
17:36 Juan Jesus booked
Kvara robbed by Maleh sliding tackle, then Juan Jesus foul stops an Empoli counter and is carded.
17:35 What a chance for Empoli!
How did that not go in?!? Empoli counter-attack, Niang dribbles past Juan Jesus, who falls over, rolls across for Cambiaghi, who incredibly sweeps it onto the outside of the near post undisturbed from 10 yards!
17:30 Acrobatic Osimhen
Osimhen gathers with his back to goal, juggles the ball up and flicks it behind him with the right boot, but Caprile was right behind it.
17:29 Empoli again
Cross from the left, it’s a bit behind Fazzini, who can’t keep the header down.
17:27 Napoli protest continues
Almost 4,000 Napoli fans here today, but they left the away end empty for the first 15 minutes, leaving only a banner that reads: ‘Only the fans always win.’ Lucky they missed the goal, really.
17:26 Empoli move
Niang runs down the left, takes too long to lay it off for Cambiaghi and it’s behind him.
17:23 Napoli chance
Caprile flaps at a corner, then uses his foot to parry the Kvaratskhelia effort at the near post, but Juan Jesus also flattened Grassi.
17:19 Empoli sub
Niang replaces Cerri.
17:18 Problem for Empoli
Napoli corner, Cerri jumps up to clear, lands and immediately clutches the back of his right thigh. He is done.
17:16 Empoli still pushing
Empoli are evidently sharper and more aggressive, getting to every ball first. They force a corner.
17:12 Cerri goal
Alberto Cerri finds the back of the net FOUR minutes into the match for his first Empoli goal 😤⁰
Stream the game for FREE on CBS Sports Golazo Network available on the @CBSSports App and @PlutoTV. 📲 pic.twitter.com/6ZIpIVOsm5
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 20, 2024
17:11 Crowd groans
Kvaratskhelia with an irritated wave after a misplaced pass.
17:07 Empoli appeals
They get down the left this time, low cross for Cerri who goes down under pressure from Juan Jesus, but nowhere near enough for a penalty. The move continues and his header is wide.
17:04 Empoli 1-0 Napoli: Alberto Cerri!
Not the start De Laurentiis wanted, but definitely the one Empoli were looking for. Long ball down the right, Gyasi stands up a cross from the by-line and Cerri allowed a header at the back post!
17:00 We have kick-off in Empoli vs. Napoli!
Empoli wear black armbands today following the death of former President Pietro Allegri at the age of 89.
16:58 A minute’s silence
A minute’s silence before kick-off in all games this weekend for Mattia Giani, the player who died during a semi-pro game last week. He had been in the Empoli youth academy.
16:55 Empoli vs. Napoli line-ups
Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Maleh, Grassi, Pezzella; Fazzini, Cambiaghi; Cerri
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Juan Jesus, Natan; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
16:53 Francesco Calzona
Napoli coach Francesco Calzona urges his players not to ‘put all the pressure on the defence’ and still has hope for Champions League qualification https://t.co/xQ5F4W3Lp5 #Napoli #SerieA #EmpoliNapoli #SerieATIM #Calcio
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 20, 2024
16:39 De Laurentiis is here
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is in the stands of the Stadio Castellani.
16:24 Warm-ups
You can watch the warm-ups from Empoli vs. Napoli live on the Lega Serie A YouTube Channel.
16:23 Empoli in mourning
Empoli will wear black armbands today following the death of former President Pietro Allegri at the age of 89.
He had been at the helm of the Tuscan club from the late 1980s to early 1990s.
16:21 Napoli arrive
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟯/𝟯𝟴
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/FRvBfq1mBn
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) April 20, 2024
16:07 Napoli defence decimated
Both Amir Rrahmani and Mario Rui are suspended, with Mathias Olivera injured, but Juan Jesus returns.
Pasquale Mazzocchi was meant to start, but he was struck by a bout of flu, so Natan gets his first appearance since February 28 and has to fill in at left-back.
16:07 Team News
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia recovers to start for Napoli with a completely reshuffled defence in the trip to unpredictable Empoli https://t.co/1wEY8xDcnZ #EmpoliNapoli #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) April 20, 2024
16:04 Empoli vs. Napoli line-ups
Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Maleh, Grassi, Pezzella; Fazzini, Cambiaghi; Cerri
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Juan Jesus, Natan; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games, as Napoli try to get back into the European race visiting Empoli, plus a Verona-Udinese relegation dogfight.
Week 33 began on Friday with Lazio’s 1-0 victory away to Genoa and Juventus fighting back from 2-0 down to rescue a point in Cagliari.
We kick off today at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Castellani, where Napoli aim to keep European hopes alive against relegation-threatened Empoli.
At 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), it’s a desperate head-to-head between Verona and Udinese.