Serie A: Kouame Rescues Empoli with Late Equalizer in 1-1 Draw with Como

Empoli's Christian Kouame scored a vital equalizer to earn his team a 1-1 draw with Como, keeping their Serie A survival hopes alive. Stay up-to-date with the latest Serie A standings and relegation battle.

Christian Kouame's inconsistent performance proved pivotal in Empoli's 1-1 draw away to Como, as he squandered several scoring opportunities before ultimately securing a point for his team. Kouame's equalizing goal cancelled out Anastasis Douvikas' debut Serie A strike, ensuring that Empoli returned home with a crucial point in their battle to avoid relegation.

The match was significant in the context of the relegation fight, with both teams dealing with key absences. Empoli was without the suspended duo of Nico Paz and Dele Alli, while Alberto Dossena's season was cut short due to a ruptured ACL. To compound matters, coach Cesc Fabregas was serving a touchline ban. Despite these challenges, Empoli managed to secure a draw, thanks in part to Kouame's late intervention.

Empoli had several opportunities to take the lead, but their finishing was often wayward. Liberato Cacace's attempted cross into the box lacked sufficient weight, allowing Oliver Kempf to intercept. Edoardo Goldaniga did find the net with a header on 20 minutes, but his effort was disallowed due to offside. Christian Kouame and Alberto Grassi both came close to scoring, with Kouame's glancing header sailing just wide and Grassi's nodded effort striking the upright.

Como goalkeeper Jean Butez made a crucial intervention to deny Christian Kouame, expertly plucking a curling effort out of the air. Later, Devis Vasquez was forced to make a spectacular save, pushing a powerful shot from substitute Maxi Perrone over the bar. The resulting corner kick presented another scoring opportunity for Empoli, but Edoardo Goldaniga's header flashed across the face of goal, narrowly missing the far post.

Empoli was left stunned on 52 minutes when Christian Kouame incredibly missed an open goal. Kouame had cleverly evaded the offside trap, dribbled past the advancing Jean Butez, and rolled the ball past the final defender, only to see his effort bounce off the upright of an empty net. This astonishing miss proved costly, as Como subsequently took the lead through Anastasios Douvikas' debut Serie A goal.

The goal originated from a clever back-heel flick by Maxence Caqueret, which released Mergim Vojvoda down the right flank. Vojvoda delivered a precise low cross into the box, where Douvikas was well-positioned to tap the ball into the net at the back post, securing his first Serie A goal and giving Como a hard-fought lead.

The points are shared in #ComoEmpoli ⚖️#KeepRacismOUT pic.twitter.com/Q156UuqlAZ

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 29, 2025

Gabriel Strefezza unleashed a snapshot from the edge of the box, but Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez was equal to the task, making a confident save. However, Empoli's persistence eventually paid off as they secured a well-deserved equalizer.

The equalizing goal was sparked by Jacopo Fazzini's energetic run through midfield. Fazzini laid the ball off to Giuseppe Pezzella, who delivered a precise cross into the box. Christian Kouame towered above Alex Valle at the back post, meeting the cross with a powerful header that found the net. This marked Kouame's first Serie A goal in almost a year, and it was a crucial one, as it drew Empoli level with Como.

Alberto Grassi is the Panini Player of the Match for #ComoEmpoli 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IPXac7qS0w

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 29, 2025

In the 89th minute, Kouame squandered another gilt-edged opportunity to secure a win for Empoli. After Edoardo Goldaniga miscontrolled the ball under pressure from Lorenzo Colombo, Kouame ballooned his shot over the bar, wasting a chance to seal the three points. The frustration of this miss seemed to get to Fazzini, who was subsequently sent off with a straight red card for a reckless and high challenge on Jonathan Ikone.

As the match drew to a close, Como pushed forward in search of a winner. Lucas Da Cunha's low strike was cleared off the line by Devis Vasquez, and Edoardo Goldaniga's header from the resulting corner sailed off target. Ultimately, the match ended in a share of the points, with both teams earning a crucial draw in their relegation battle.