Lovato Strike Lifts Empoli Past Avellino in Tight Serie B Contest

Empoli FC edged Calcio Avellino SSD 1–0 on Serie B matchday 37, with a second-half strike from Matteo Lovato proving decisive in a closely fought encounter on 1 May 2026.

With detailed statistics and minute-by-minute chances unavailable, the key moments were defined by a single goal and a flurry of cards after the interval.

Serie B FINISHED

2026-05-01 13:00

Empoli FC

1 - 0

Calcio Avellino SSD

Matchday 37 REGULAR_SEASON

The breakthrough arrived in the 58th minute. Defender Matteo Lovato found the net for the hosts, finishing off a move created by Gerard Yepes. The assist capped a strong outing from the Empoli midfielder, who later picked up a booking in the closing stages.

Both coaches turned to their benches early in the second half. Empoli introduced Bogdan Popov for Marco Nasti in the 54th minute, shortly before Lovato’s winner, while Avellino responded with attacking changes of their own, bringing on Roberto Insigne and Filippo Missori around the 65-minute mark as they chased an equaliser.

Discipline became a growing theme after the restart. Nicolas Haas was booked for Empoli right after half-time, followed by a yellow card for Avellino’s Dimitris Sounas in the 57th minute. Empoli substitutes Salvatore Elia and later the influential Yepes also saw yellow as the hosts worked to protect their narrow advantage.

Avellino’s hopes faded further in stoppage time when Alessandro Fontanarosa was shown a red card in the 90th minute, leaving the visitors a man down for the final moments as Empoli closed out the win.

The result strengthens Empoli’s position heading into the final stretch of the Serie B regular season, while Avellino leave empty-handed despite multiple substitutions aimed at turning the game around. More granular match data, including full lineups and shot statistics, was not available at the time of writing.

Match report: Empoli vs Avellino

View full match page

Serie B Standings

Season: 2025/26

#	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
1	Venezia FC	37	23	10	4	75	31	44	79	D W W D W
2	Frosinone Calcio	37	22	12	3	71	34	37	78	W W W D W
3	AC Monza	37	22	9	6	59	30	29	75	L W W W D
4	Palermo FC	37	20	12	5	61	31	30	72	W D W D W
5	US Catanzaro	37	15	14	8	60	48	12	59	L W D D D
6	Modena FC 2018	37	15	10	12	49	35	14	55	W L L D D
7	SS Juve Stabia	37	11	17	9	43	44	-1	50	L D D W L
8	Mantova 1911 SSD	37	13	7	17	45	52	-7	46	W W L W W
9	AC Cesena	37	12	10	15	42	52	-10	46	D D L L D
10	Calcio Avellino SSD	37	12	10	15	42	55	-13	46	L W W D L
11	Carrarese Calcio	37	10	14	13	46	50	-4	44	D L D L W
12	UC Sampdoria	37	11	11	15	35	47	-12	44	W D L W W
13	Padova Calcio	37	11	10	16	35	46	-11	43	W L W W L
14	Empoli FC	37	9	13	15	45	52	-7	40	W L D L L
15	FC Südtirol	37	8	16	13	37	47	-10	40	L L L D D
16	ACD Virtus Entella	37	9	12	16	34	50	-16	39	L W D D L
17	SSC Bari	37	9	10	18	35	58	-23	37	W L L L W
18	Delfino Pescara 1936	37	7	13	17	50	65	-15	34	L D D L W
19	Spezia Calcio	37	8	10	19	42	58	-16	34	D L W L L
20	AC Reggiana	37	8	10	19	35	56	-21	34	L D L W L