EMPOLI, Italy (Interstat) — Empoli FC opened its Serie B campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over visiting Pescara on Sunday, overcoming an early red card to deliver an offensive showcase at Stadio Carlo Castellani - Computer Gross Arena.

The match, which kicked off the 2025-26 season for both clubs, was turned on its head in the 13th minute when Empoli defender Gennaro Acampora was sent off, forcing the home side to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Empoli’s attack proved relentless.

Forward Steven Shpendi opened the scoring for Empoli in the 9th minute, striking just before the disruptive red card. The home side doubled its lead in the 33rd minute when defender Matteo Lovato found the net. The first half then became the Antonio Di Nardo show. The Empoli substitute, who entered the match after the dismissal, scored twice in a six-minute span before halftime, finding the goal in the 41st and 47th minutes. Both of Di Nardo’s strikes were assisted, with midfielder Gerard Yepes and fellow substitute Andrea Cagnano providing the key passes.

Shpendi secured his brace in the 65th minute, effectively putting the game out of reach. Pescara’s Daniel Fila netted a consolation goal for the visitors in the 80th minute, but it did little to alter the outcome.

The match was a physical affair from the start. Pescara’s Yepes received a yellow card in just the 2nd minute, setting a contentious tone. Empoli’s Duccio Degl’Innocenti was booked in the 26th minute, and Di Nardo saw yellow in the 32nd minute, shortly before his scoring outburst. Cagnano was also cautioned in the 49th minute.

The result defied the pre-match projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 2-2 draw. Their ELO system gave Empoli a 52.6 percent probability to win under normal circumstances, a figure the team surpassed dramatically despite being reduced to ten men for over 75 minutes.

The victory gives Empoli a winning start to the Serie B season, while Pescara begins its campaign with a defeat. Both teams now hold 1-0 records in the competition following the season opener. Key to Empoli’s success was the performance of Di Nardo, who contributed two goals and an assist off the bench, while Shpendi’s two-goal performance provided crucial early and late momentum. Lovato’s goal from the back line further underscored a dominant team display that overcame significant early adversity.