Empoli were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at home against Udinese in Serie A on Monday evening, as Keinan Davis’s late equalizer canceled out Pietro Pellegri’s opener, extending both teams’ struggles to gain momentum in the league. Pellegri’s goal marked his third consecutive strike in as many matches, continuing a fine personal run despite Empoli’s inability to secure all three points.
The match carried significant weight, with just one point and one position separating the two sides in the Serie A table. Udinese, who had briefly topped the standings at the start of the season, had slipped to ninth place, while Empoli were just behind in 10th. Both teams approached the clash looking to reverse their recent form. Empoli coach Kosta Runjaic opted for minimal changes to his starting XI, while Roberto D’Aversa shuffled his Udinese lineup in search of better results.
Pellegri’s opener came in the 23rd minute, a well-taken goal that showcased his sharpness in front of the net. Liberato Cacace delivered a precise ball to the striker, who turned his defender expertly and fired past goalkeeper Maduka Okoye to give Empoli the lead. Despite Pellegri’s clinical finish, Empoli managed just two shots on target throughout the match, highlighting their struggles to create further opportunities.
Udinese, by contrast, dominated possession, holding the ball for 70% of the game and attempting 16 shots. However, their lack of accuracy meant only three of those attempts tested Empoli goalkeeper Samuele Perisan. Nevertheless, the visitors’ persistence paid off in the 75th minute. Sandi Lovric delivered a pinpoint corner into the box, and Keinan Davis rose unmarked to power a header from close range into the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Despite their dominance, Udinese could not find a winner and remain in ninth place, while Empoli hold onto 10th. Both teams will leave the game ruing missed opportunities and looking for improvements in the weeks ahead.
