MONZA 1 - 3 EMPOLI: MATCH REPORT

On the 37th day of Serie A, Empoli came back from Birindelli's goal and won 3-1 at the U-Power Stadium.

The Tuscans needed points for salvation and they created the first chance in the 6th minute, with Fazzini's conclusion repelled by Pizzignacco. Monza made an appearance in the 26th minute with a great right-footer from ex Akpa Akpro that whistled wide. Nesta's team insisted and found the advantage in the 30th minute. Caprari's splendid through ball for Birindelli, who advanced with the ball on his feet and was cool in front of Vasquez. Third goal in the championship for the outside number 19 and 1-0 Monza. Empoli failed to react, while the Biancorossi played well and came close to doubling the score with a double chance in the 37th minute. First Keita tried, then Carboni, but Vasquez repelled both shots and saved the struggling Azzurri defence. Applause for Nesta's team and for the unstoppable Caprari, who in the 42nd minute went off on a dribbling run and unleashed a dangerous right-footer: the ball went just wide.

Empoli tried to change gear at the start of the second half, regenerated by new-entry Colombo, who hit the crossbar with a great shot in the 47th minute. The ex-goal is only postponed, because in the 49th minute the striker turns and shoots into the net with his right. The equaliser shook D'Aversa's team, who believed in it and in the 52nd minute completed the comeback with Viti's header from a corner. Nesta made a double change in the 54th minute, inserting Caldirola and Dany Mota. Monza didn't give up and almost equalized with Caprari's deflected right-footed shot in the 58th minute. From the possible 2-2 it passed to 1-3 a minute later, when Gyasi went on the counter-attack and kicked with the right, finding the post and the unfortunate deflection of Pizzignacco. It became hard for Monza, however, who tried to reopen the game, first with Mota's deflection neutralised by the Tuscan defence and then with Carboni's header, off a corner from the left on 65 minutes. Nesta also inserted Petagna and Ciurria in the 71st minute and then in the 81st minute Sensi, who immediately headed a free-kick just wide. In the 88th minute Caldirola also tried his hand, challenging Vasquez with a shot from outside the box. It ends 3-1 for Empoli. Monza will close the championship at San Siro against AC Milan.