Atalanta Hosts Empoli in Serie A Showdown as Empoli Struggles Amid Relegation Battle
Nov, 9 2025
On Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 17:00 UTC, Empoli Football Club will host Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio at Stadio Carlo Castellani — also known as Computer Gross Arena — in Empoli, Tuscany, in what could be one of the most lopsided fixtures of Serie A’s 2024–25 season. With Atalanta riding a five-match winning streak against Empoli and boasting a 60% win rate this season, the odds are stacked against the home side, who’ve lost eight of their last ten league games. Referee Maurizio Mariani will oversee the clash, but even his experience may not be enough to balance the gulf in form.
Empoli’s Descent Into Crisis
It’s hard to overstate how far Empoli has fallen. After a promising start to the season, they’ve collapsed into a tailspin, managing just two home wins in 38 league matches this campaign. Their defense has been porous, conceding 19 goals in their last ten games. The team’s struggles are compounded by injuries: key midfielders and defenders have been sidelined for weeks, forcing head coach Roberto D’Aversa to piece together a makeshift lineup. The latest humiliation came against Che Adams, whose audacious half-field lob over goalkeeper Devis Vasquez became an instant viral moment — and a symbol of Empoli’s unraveling.
Statistically, the numbers are brutal. Empoli has averaged just 0.86 goals per match against Atalanta across 22 previous meetings. In their last four clashes, Atalanta has scored nine goals and conceded just one. Forebet notes that four of Empoli’s last six matches saw over 2.5 goals — but those goals almost always went the other way.
Atalanta’s Offensive Machine
Meanwhile, Atalanta is firing on all cylinders. Under the relentless guidance of head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, they’ve won 13 away games this season — the most in Serie A. Their attack is lethal: Argentine forward Mateo Germán Retegui leads the league with 20 goals, while Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman has returned from injury with a vengeance, adding pace and unpredictability. Atalanta has scored two or more goals in six of their last ten away matches. And in their last 23 home games? They’ve drawn just once — and haven’t drawn at home since April.
Their 3-4-1-2 formation, with Lookman as the creative hub between midfield and the lethal duo of Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere, has been nearly impossible to stop. Even after their Champions League exit, Gasperini’s men have channeled their frustration into league dominance. As SportyTrader put it: “They’re not just seeking redemption — they’re on a mission.”
Lineups and Tactical Battle
Empoli’s projected 3-5-2 formation — with De Sciglio, Goglichidze, and Pezzella anchoring a shaky backline — looks like a defensive gamble. Midfielders like Nedim Bajrami and Amadou Onana will need to be flawless to shield the defense, but their recent performances suggest they’re running on fumes. Forward pair Francesco Esposito and Matteo Colombo have combined for just three league goals this season.
Atalanta’s lineup, by contrast, reads like a who’s who of Serie A talent. With Marco Carnesecchi in goal, and the physical presence of Hans Hateboer and Merih Demiral in defense, they’re built to withstand counterattacks. Midfielders Marten de Roon and Ederson will dominate possession, while Lookman’s return gives them a spark they’ve missed. The only question: can Empoli even get the ball off them?
What’s at Stake
For Atalanta, a win puts them within three points of league leaders Inter. With the Champions League spot still in reach, this isn’t just about pride — it’s about securing European football next season. For Empoli, it’s survival. They’re currently two points above the relegation zone, but with five of their next six matches away from home, every point matters. A loss here could be the final nail in the coffin of their top-flight hopes.
And yet — and this is the twist — Empoli has shown grit on the road. Their 12 points from eight away games are better than most teams expect. But facing Atalanta? That’s a different beast. The last time Empoli beat Atalanta was in 2020. Since then, it’s been one-sided, relentless, and brutal.
What Happens Next?
Bookmakers are unanimous: Atalanta to win. Forebet predicts 0-3. VOI says 0-2. Sports Mole forecasts 2-0. Even the most optimistic Empoli fan would struggle to pick a draw. The real story isn’t the scoreline — it’s the momentum. If Atalanta wins, they’ll be a serious title contender. If Empoli somehow scrapes a point? That would be the biggest upset of the season.
One thing’s certain: Sunday won’t just be about goals. It’ll be about dignity. For Empoli, it’s about proving they still belong. For Atalanta, it’s about proving they’re ready for the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Atalanta so dominant over Empoli in recent years?
Atalanta’s tactical discipline under Gian Piero Gasperini, combined with superior attacking depth, has overwhelmed Empoli’s defensive limitations. In their last five meetings, Atalanta has scored 12 goals and conceded just one. Their high-pressing system exploits Empoli’s slow transitions, while Retegui and Lookman consistently exploit space behind Empoli’s full-backs.
How has Empoli’s injury crisis affected their performance?
Empoli has lost six key players to long-term injuries, including their starting center-back and primary playmaker. This has forced Roberto D’Aversa to use untested youth and out-of-position veterans, leading to defensive disorganization. Their win rate dropped from 40% in the first half of the season to just 12% in the last ten matches.
What does this match mean for Atalanta’s Champions League hopes?
A win would move Atalanta within three points of Inter Milan, keeping them firmly in the top four race. With Juventus and Napoli also in contention, every point is critical. Atalanta’s away form — 13 wins this season — gives them the edge in the final stretch, especially if they can maintain their scoring rate.
Is Empoli still in danger of relegation?
Yes. With 31 points from 38 matches, Empoli sits just two points above the drop zone. Their next five fixtures include away games against Lazio, Napoli, and AC Milan — all top-half teams. Without a win this weekend, their survival chances fall below 20%, according to statistical models from SoccerPunter.
Why is Stadio Carlo Castellani called Computer Gross Arena?
Since 2023, the stadium has carried a sponsorship name from Computer Gross, an Italian tech retailer. Officially, it remains Stadio Carlo Castellani — named after the club’s former president — but most broadcasters and fans now refer to it by its commercial name. The dual naming reflects a broader trend in Italian football of corporate sponsorships overtaking traditional identities.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For Atalanta, Mateo Retegui (20 goals) and Ademola Lookman (7 goals, 4 assists since return) are the main threats. For Empoli, goalkeeper Devis Vasquez must be flawless — one mistake could be fatal. Midfielder Nedim Bajrami, despite being out of position, will need to control the tempo or risk being overrun.
vishal kumar
November 10, 2025 AT 06:52The structural imbalance between these two clubs reflects deeper systemic issues in Italian football
Empoli's decline is not merely tactical but sociological
Their inability to adapt to modern pressing systems reveals a failure in youth development infrastructure
Atalanta's success stems from institutional continuity and data-driven recruitment
Neither club represents the ideal model
Both are symptoms of a league increasingly dominated by financial capital
The spectacle obscures the erosion of community-based football
Stadium naming rights are the most visible symptom
The real tragedy is not the scoreline but the silence of the fans
When identity becomes commodity the game loses its soul
Marconi would weep
This is not sport
This is capitalism with cleats
And yet we still watch
Because we are complicit
Oviyaa Ilango
November 10, 2025 AT 10:08Atalanta's dominance is predictable
Empoli's defense is amateur hour
Retegui will score twice
End of story
Aditi Dhekle
November 12, 2025 AT 07:11Interesting how the 3-4-1-2 formation has become the new orthodoxy in Serie A
It's not just about personnel it's about spatial orchestration
Lookman's return isn't merely a tactical upgrade it's a reclamation of tempo
Empoli's 3-5-2 is a defensive cipher that collapses under high-intensity transitions
Their fullbacks are structurally compromised
And Vasquez's positioning? Pure entropy
Meanwhile Atalanta's midfield trio operates like a quantum entanglement network
De Roon anchors
Ederson modulates
And the 10? He's the observer
Watching
Waiting
Exploiting
This isn't football it's algorithmic warfare
And Empoli's fans? They're still chanting in 2018
Aditya Tyagi
November 13, 2025 AT 18:40Empoli fans are just mad because their team sucks
They think they deserve better
Newsflash
You don't get to be in Serie A if you can't defend
And that guy Vasquez
He looks like he's still learning how to wear gloves
Why are we even talking about this
Atalanta will win 4-0
And it'll be too generous
pradipa Amanta
November 14, 2025 AT 22:02Everyone says Atalanta will win
But what if Empoli scores first
What then
What if the ref is biased
What if the pitch is wet
What if Retegui gets a cramp
What if the sponsor's name makes the players dizzy
Computer Gross Arena
That's not a stadium
That's a corporate hallucination
chandra rizky
November 16, 2025 AT 19:55Love how football brings people together even when the odds are stacked
Empoli's fans still show up
That's real
And Atalanta's energy? Pure fire
Hope everyone enjoys the game no matter the score
Football is more than wins and losses
It's about passion
And community
And that's beautiful
😊
Rohit Roshan
November 18, 2025 AT 02:08Can we talk about how insane it is that Atalanta has won 13 away games this season
That's not luck
That's a machine
And Retegui with 20 goals
Bro
He's not even 23 yet
And Lookman coming back like he never left
It's like he was on vacation
Meanwhile Empoli's forwards are trying to score with their knees
But hey
At least they're fighting
That counts for something
Hope they get one
🤞
arun surya teja
November 19, 2025 AT 23:25The evolution of tactical systems in Italian football reflects broader societal shifts
Atalanta's high press and positional discipline mirror the efficiency-driven ethos of contemporary institutions
Empoli's defensive fragmentation reveals the consequences of underinvestment and institutional decay
The stadium sponsorship issue is emblematic of the commodification of public cultural spaces
Yet the persistence of fan loyalty despite systemic decline remains a quiet act of resistance
Football as microcosm
Always has been
Jyotijeenu Jamdagni
November 21, 2025 AT 11:05Atalanta's attack is like a jazz quartet
Retegui's the saxophone
Lookman's the bass
De Ketelaere's the drums
And the 10? He's the piano player who just shows up and makes everything make sense
Empoli's defense is like someone trying to play Beethoven on a kazoo
With one hand tied behind their back
And the kazoo's out of tune
And the audience is asleep
But hey
At least they're trying
That's more than some teams do
Still
0-3 feels inevitable
But I'll be watching
Just in case
navin srivastava
November 22, 2025 AT 18:00Empoli shouldnt even be in serie a
Theyre a third division team with a fancy name
Atalanta are real football
Retegui is the future
Lookman is the present
Empoli? Theyre the past
And the past needs to die
Its not about goals
Its about purity
And empoli has none
Theyre just noise
And noise should be silenced
Aravind Anna
November 24, 2025 AT 16:14Atalanta are not just winning
They're rewriting the rules
Lookman back
Retegui on fire
Gasperi's genius
They're not playing football
They're performing art
Empoli
They're just trying to survive
And that's fine
But don't act like this is a match
This is a funeral
And the coffin is wearing Empoli colors
Let them have their dignity
But don't pretend it's close
Rajendra Mahajan
November 25, 2025 AT 02:53The statistical dominance of Atalanta over Empoli is not coincidental
It is the product of systematic investment in analytics
Player development
And tactical innovation
Empoli's collapse is not merely due to injuries
It is the result of a failure to institutionalize excellence
Their coaching staff
Scouting network
And youth academy
Are relics of a bygone era
Where passion replaced planning
And tradition replaced transformation
Atalanta represents the future
Empoli represents the cost of ignoring it
ANIL KUMAR THOTA
November 25, 2025 AT 23:43Atalanta are too strong
Empoli are too weak
Nothing more to say
VIJAY KUMAR
November 26, 2025 AT 08:110-3? Nah
It's 0-5
And it's all planned
Computer Gross Arena? More like Computer Gross Conspiracy
They've been using AI to predict every move
Lookman's return? Staged
Retegui's goals? Algorithmically optimized
Even the ref? Probably a bot
And Empoli? They're not playing
They're being erased
From the data
From history
From existence
And the fans? They're still cheering
Because they don't know
They're being played
😭
Manohar Chakradhar
November 26, 2025 AT 16:32Man
Atalanta are on another level
13 away wins
20 goals from Retegui
Lookman back and looking like a superhero
It's not even fair
Empoli's trying
They really are
But this is like a kid facing a tank
Still
I respect the hustle
Hope they get one goal
Just one
For the fans
For the city
For the soul
Even if it's late
Even if it's meaningless
Just let them feel it
LOKESH GURUNG
November 26, 2025 AT 21:20Atalanta are the real deal
Retegui is a beast
Lookman? Absolute legend
Gasperi? Genius
Empoli? They're just here for the ride
0-3 is too kind
They'll be lucky to make it 0-2
And Vasquez? Bro
He's not a keeper
He's a target
😂