LA SPEZIA, Italy (Interstat) — In a match that defied pregame projections, Spezia and Empoli FC played to a 1-1 draw in a Serie B contest Tuesday at Stadio Alberto Picco.

The result, coming on March 17, 2026, saw both clubs open their league campaigns with identical records, as each now stands with no wins, no losses and one draw both in Serie B and across all competitions this season. The stalemate was a surprise to statistical models, which heavily favored the home side. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 2-1 victory for Spezia, while its ELO system gave Spezia a 79.10 percent probability to win.

The match’s decisive moment arrived in the 69th minute, breaking a tense deadlock. Empoli FC forward Gabriele Artistico found the net for the game’s only goal, finishing a play assisted by midfielder Filippo Bandinelli. The goal put the visiting side in front and positioned them to steal a road victory against the odds.

However, Spezia demonstrated resilience, leveling the score deep into the match. The equalizer also came from Gabriele Artistico, but this time for his own team, as the forward capitalized on a setup from substitute Matteo Lovato to beat the Empoli goalkeeper and salvage a point for the hosts. The unusual feat of a player scoring for both sides in a single game underscored a match defined by dramatic twists.

The contest was a physical and often fractious affair, reflected in a flurry of disciplinary actions. The first half saw two quick yellow cards, with Empoli’s Bandinelli booked in the 38th minute and Spezia substitute Marco Nasti shown a yellow just two minutes later. The caution for Nasti was particularly impactful, as he would later provide a key assist.

The second half saw the officiating remain busy. Empoli substitute Antonio Candela received a yellow card in the 65th minute, just four minutes before Artistico’s opening goal for the visitors. Spezia substitute Nicolas Haas was booked in the 75th minute, and Empoli’s Duccio Degl’Innocenti was shown a yellow in the 79th minute as the match grew increasingly tense. Empoli’s Lovato was also cautioned in the 51st minute.

Key performances largely came from substitutes, highlighting the impact of both managers’ tactical changes. For Spezia, substitutes Lovato and Candela each recorded an assist, with Lovato’s proving crucial for the late equalizer. For Empoli, substitute Nicolas Haas also tallied an assist on Artistico’s goal for the visitors. Bandinelli, despite his first-half yellow card, managed to contribute an assist for Empoli before being involved in the game’s pivotal sequence at both ends.

The draw leaves both teams searching for their first victory of the young Serie B season. The shared point, while perhaps disappointing for a Spezia side widely expected to win, represents a hard-earned result for an Empoli FC squad that battled back after conceding the late equalizer. The match will be remembered for Artistico’s unique double and for a result that confounded statistical expectations.