Empoli fell 1-0 to Lazio in Serie A's 35th round, with Dia's early strike sealing the defeat. The goal left the biancocelesti struggling and pushed coach D'Aversa deeper into the relegation zone.

What happened?

The match opened with a long ball from Hysaj that found Dia in space, and at the 1' minute the former Salernitana forward beat Vasquez. Empoli tried to answer: at the 51' minute a Solbakken free‑kick was ruled out for Viti's off‑side position. VAR later confirmed a red card for Lorenzo Colombo at the 40' minute after a second yellow, leaving the side with ten men for most of the game.

Why does the loss matter for Empoli?

Beyond the three points lost, the defeat raises the relegation threat: Empoli currently sits 15th in Serie B with 41 points, 9 wins, 14 draws and 15 losses from 38 games, and the recent form is DWLDL. With 47 goals scored and 54 conceded this season, the -7 goal difference highlights defensive frailties that have plagued the campaign.

What lies ahead in Serie B?

The next fixture is decisive: Empoli must tighten its backline to improve the final tally. Being 41 points behind leaders Venezia, the club still has room to fight the drop zone, but the pressure is mounting. The recent 2-2 draw with Monza on 8 May 2026 shows the team can pick up points, yet consistency remains elusive.

What are the prospects for D'Aversa?

Coach D'Aversa will need to reshuffle the lineup, especially the midfield where Solbakken's replacement by Konate failed to bring the expected stability. The upcoming match may see Marco Colombo back, but his availability hinges on the suspension from the red card. The squad must find an offensive balance to boost the 47 goals recorded so far.