Roma endured a frustrating evening at the Stadio Olimpico, suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Empoli in a match marked by missed opportunities and defensive lapses. Despite returning to the starting lineup, Paulo Dybala and Leandro Paredes couldn’t prevent the Giallorossi from falling to a resilient Empoli side.
Dybala, who had just turned down a lucrative €75 million offer from Al-Qadsiah, was warmly welcomed back by the Roma faithful. The Argentine star came close to scoring several times, including hitting the woodwork three times, but it was Empoli who capitalized on their chances.
The game began with Empoli’s Jacopo Fazzini running from his own half and firing wide after a slight deflection. Emmanuel Gyasi then missed a golden opportunity, nodding wide at the back post. Empoli’s Lorenzo Colombo also failed to convert a rebound, hitting the crossbar of an open goal.
Roma’s best chance in the first half came when Lorenzo Pellegrini’s header from a Dybala cross forced a brilliant save from Empoli goalkeeper Devis Vasquez. However, it was Empoli who broke the deadlock, with Colombo flicking on a Giuseppe Pezzella cross for Gyasi to tap in clumsily but effectively at the back post.
Roma’s frustrations continued after the restart, with Pellegrini and Gianluca Mancini both hitting the woodwork in quick succession. Empoli extended their lead when Paredes lost possession in midfield and then conceded a penalty, which Colombo converted by firing into the roof of the net.
Despite a late onslaught, including a powerful header from substitute Eldor Shomurodov and a near-equalizer from Dybala in the 94th minute, Roma couldn’t find a way back. Mile Svilar kept Roma’s hopes alive with a stoppage-time save, but the damage was done as Empoli held on for a memorable victory.
