Serie A: Empoli Fails to Capitalize on Chances in 0-0 Draw with Cagliari

Empoli and Cagliari play out a 0-0 draw in a scrappy match, with both teams creating chances but failing to find the back of the net.

Empoli and Cagliari played out a disappointing 0-0 draw, a result that is more beneficial to the Sardinians than the hosts. Empoli had been struggling, with their last Serie A win dating back to December 8, and had just suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bologna in the Coppa Italia semi-final midweek.

Empoli were without several key players, including Emmanuel Gyasi and Jacopo Fazzini, who were suspended, and goalkeeper Marco Silvestri, who had fractured his finger. They joined a long list of injured players, including Youssef Maleh, Ardian Ismajli, Nicolas Haas, Szymon Zurkowski, Saba Sazonov, and Pietro Pellegri. In contrast, Cagliari had a full squad available, having recently broken free from the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory over Monza.

Empoli and Cagliari cancel each other out ⚖️#EmpoliCagliari pic.twitter.com/kF3qc1mvTB

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 6, 2025

The match saw some promising moments, including a missed opportunity for Liberato Cacace, who failed to capitalize on an inspired pass from Sebastiano Esposito. Liam Henderson also had a chance to score, but his sweep from the edge of the area was deflected wide. Henderson later tried to score directly from a corner kick, forcing Elia Caprile to make a save, while Roberto Piccoli also tested Devis Vasquez with a shot. Despite these efforts, neither team could find the back of the net.

Cagliari came close to scoring straight after the restart with a Nicolas Viola free kick that skimmed the near top corner, hitting the wrong side of the net. The Sardinians were threatening to take the lead, and their efforts were matched by Empoli, who also had a chance to score from a set play. Junior Sambia's ferocious free kick whistled just wide of the upright, denying Cagliari a potential goal.

Yerry Mina is the Panini Player of the Match for #EmpoliCagliari 🏆 pic.twitter.com/i00SnVeTRA

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) April 6, 2025

Empoli had a promising opportunity to score on 64 minutes when Sebastiano Esposito surged through the middle and was preparing to shoot. However, his teammate Liberato Cacace stole the ball off his foot and went for goal instead, forcing a save from Elia Caprile. The Empoli goalkeeper made another impressive save later on, stopping Kingsley Ehizibue's header with one hand. However, the goal wouldn't have counted anyway, as the cross had already gone out of play.

The match remained intense, with both teams creating chances. Christian Kouame went off injured, and Goglichidze's cross-shot tested Caprile at the near post. Despite the efforts from both teams, the score remained goalless, with neither side able to find the back of the net.