Cesena secured a battling 2-1 win over Empoli in Italian Serie B at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi on 28 October 2026, using a strong first-half start and a late decisive strike to take all three points in a tightly contested fixture. The result gave the home side a valuable boost in the promotion race and left Empoli frustrated after an improved second-half display that ultimately yielded no reward.

Match overview

Cesena began with purpose and were rewarded after 17 minutes when winger Tommaso Guidi cut in from the right and curled a precise left-footed effort beyond the Empoli goalkeeper. The early goal gave the home side control of the tempo, with Cesena pressing high and forcing Empoli into hurried passes at the back.

Empoli grew into the contest before half-time and began to find space in midfield, but Cesena’s defensive line held firm. The visitors’ best chance of the opening period came from a set piece, with Riccardo Palmieri heading narrowly wide from a corner.

The second half brought a more open game. Empoli equalised in the 56th minute when Palmieri made amends, rising above his marker to meet another corner and power a header into the net. That goal changed the mood of the match, and for a spell Empoli looked the more likely side to score again.

Cesena responded with composure rather than panic. Head coach Marco Berti introduced fresh legs from the bench, and the home side regained a foothold in the final 20 minutes. The winning goal arrived in the 79th minute when substitute Luca Bartolini reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area and swept it home from close range.

Key moments

• 17’ – Cesena 1-0: Tommaso Guidi opened the scoring with a curling effort after a patient build-up on the right.
• 41’ – Empoli chance: Riccardo Palmieri headed wide from a dangerous corner as Empoli finished the half strongly.
• 56’ – Cesena 1-1: Palmieri equalised with a powerful header from another set piece.
• 79’ – Cesena 2-1: Luca Bartolini pounced inside the box to restore the home side’s lead.
• 90’+3 – Late save: Cesena goalkeeper Nicola Fontana denied Empoli an equaliser with a strong stop at his near post.

Tactical story

Cesena set up to press aggressively in the opening half-hour, with the front three closing Empoli’s central defenders and cutting off passes into midfield. That approach produced the early goal and forced Empoli to play longer than they would have liked. Cesena’s midfield duo protected the back four well, especially during the period after the equaliser when the visitors threatened to take control.

Empoli’s response was built around width and set pieces. Their equaliser came from exactly that source, and they continued to look dangerous from corners and wide free kicks. However, Cesena’s decision to bring on Bartolini and shift to a slightly more direct attacking approach paid off. The substitute’s movement between the centre-backs created the space for the winner, and Cesena managed the closing minutes with discipline.

Standout players

Tommaso Guidi was Cesena’s most creative outlet, combining direct running with a fine finish for the opening goal. Luca Bartolini made the difference from the bench, showing sharp anticipation for the decisive goal. At the back, captain Marco Berti — operating in central defence — led by example with several important clearances, while goalkeeper Nicola Fontana produced the late save that protected the win.

For Empoli, Riccardo Palmieri was the standout performer, scoring the equaliser and winning several aerial duels. Midfielder Federico Nardi kept Empoli moving in the second half, but the visitors lacked the final touch when they needed it most.

Serie B table impact

The three points lifted Cesena into the Serie B promotion-playoff places and strengthened their position heading into a demanding run of fixtures. For Empoli, the defeat leaves them in mid-table, close enough to the playoff conversation but still searching for consistency on the road. With both clubs harbouring ambitions at the upper end of the table, the result could prove significant when the season reaches its decisive months.

Cesena’s 2-1 victory was not a dominant performance, but it was a mature one. The home side scored early, survived a difficult spell after conceding, and found a match-winning moment late on — exactly the kind of result that can shape a Serie B campaign.