Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Salvatore Monaco's 23rd-minute goal gave Empoli a 1-0 pre-season friendly win over Virtus Entella at Centro Sportivo di Petroio on 25 July 2026.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Empoli made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute. A loose ball fell to Monaco inside the box after a deflected shot, and the teenage forward reacted quickest to fire past Virtus Entella goalkeeper Simone Colombi.
Manager Guido Pagliuca fielded a 3-5-2 shape with a mix of senior squad members and Primavera graduates. Samuele Perisan started in goal behind a back three of Indragoli, Guarino and Tosto. Matteo Egan and Joseph Ceesay operated as wing-backs, with Biondini, Yepes and Magnino in midfield. Monaco partnered Distefano up front.
Virtus Entella, coached by Andrea Chiappella, matched Empoli's 3-5-2 system and had the better of the second-half possession, but they created only a handful of half-chances. Empoli substitute goalkeeper Tommaso Seghetti, who replaced Perisan at half-time, was not seriously tested.
Monaco was withdrawn just before the hour mark, replaced by Bogdan Popov. Empoli held on without alarm through the closing stages.
The turning point
The sole goal arrived in the 23rd minute, but the defining pattern was set early. Empoli pressed high in the opening quarter-hour and forced Virtus Entella into uncharacteristic errors in their own third. One such moment — a misplaced pass under pressure — led to the sequence that ended with Monaco's finish. Once ahead, Empoli dropped into a mid-block and invited Entella to build, a tactic that limited clear chances.
Key performers
- Salvatore Monaco — The 19-year-old striker took his goal well and led the line effectively for 56 minutes before being substituted. His movement off the shoulder of the centre-backs caused problems throughout the first half.
- Matteo Egan — The 18-year-old wing-back, primarily a Primavera player, delivered a composed performance on the right flank, contributing to both defensive solidity and attacking width.
- Luca Magnino — The experienced midfielder controlled the tempo in the first half, recycling possession and protecting the back three.
Player of the match: Salvatore Monaco
By the numbers
Empoli's 1-0 win reflects a controlled first-half display and a resilient second-half defensive structure. The match was a pre-season friendly with extensive substitutions — Empoli made 11 changes across the two halves, Virtus Entella made 10 — which limited sustained attacking rhythm for either side. The single goal from an xG perspective reflects a match of few high-quality chances, as is typical for early pre-season friendlies.
What it means
Empoli continued their pre-season build-up with a third friendly of the summer. They face Spezia next Saturday (1 August 2026) at the same Petroio venue, kick-off 18:00 local time. Virtus Entella, newly promoted to Serie B, continue their own preparations ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Verdict
A workmanlike pre-season win for Empoli, decided by a single moment of sharpness from Monaco. The scoreline flattered neither side — it was a typical early-summer friendly with heavy rotation and more emphasis on fitness than intensity. The positives for Pagliuca will be the clean sheet and the young players' contributions; the lack of second-half incision is a pre-season detail, not a concern.
Match Events
Key match events between Empoli and Virtus Entella — 1 goal and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2017
Empoli vs Virtus Entella Head to Head Results· 9
Empoli and Virtus Entella have met 9 times — Empoli won 4, Virtus Entella won 4, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2017. A combined 30 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.33 per match (15 for the home side, 15 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 6 matches (67%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 5 games (56%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. Virtus Entella are currently unbeaten in the last 3 meetings. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–5 in 2020.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026