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Verona pulled off an impressive away victory against Empoli, courtesy of a goal by Bonazzoli fifteen minutes before the final whistle. However, the goalkeeper Caprile’s mistake also played a pivotal role. Caprile was filling in for the exceptional Vicario, who was instrumental in the Tuscan team’s survival last year with numerous crucial saves.
Verona accomplished a remarkable feat away from home. In the previous season, they had managed just one away victory. In the inaugural match of the new Serie A season, 2023/24, they secured three valuable away points against Empoli. Verona exhibited well-organized gameplay, capitalizing on the first half where the home team put in more effort but failed to convert their efforts into tangible outcomes. As a result, it only took a single opportunity towards the end for the Scaligeri, led by their new coach Baroni, to find the net. Bonazzoli, who had just entered the field, adeptly capitalized on the third lapse of Caprile, who was standing in for Vicario. Caprile struggled to find his rhythm, mistiming his jumps after corner kicks, and eventually, his third miscalculation resulted in a deserved consequence. Empoli, therefore, starts with a defeat and the certainty of no longer having a prodigious goalkeeper. Verona, in a composed manner, walks away with three crucial points.
Empoli (4-2-3-1): Caprile; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace (80’ Pezzella); Marin, Grassi (85’ Henderson); Baldanzi, Cancellieri (70’ Shpendi), Gyasi (85’ Ekong); Caputo (70’ Piccoli).
Verona (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Dawidowicz, Magnani, Coppola; Terracciano, Hongla, Duda (89’ Cabal), Doig (89’ Amione); Mboula (69’ Saponara), Ngonge (69’ Duric); Folorunsho (69’ Bonazzoli). Goal: 75’ Bonazzoli.