Catanzaro, Italy, ITA — Trailing by two goals after 15 minutes, Catanzaro mounted a decisive second-half comeback to claim a 3-2 Serie B victory over Empoli at Stadio Nicola Ceravolo. Filippo Pittarello's brace in the 56th and 63rd minutes leveled the contest before Tommaso Cassandro sealed the win in the 73rd.
Empoli struck fast, with Salvatore Elia finding the net inside the opening minute. Marco Nasti doubled the visitors' advantage in the 15th, leaving Catanzaro with a steep climb. The hosts controlled the ball throughout — finishing with 63.5% possession — but could not convert their dominance into goals until the second half.
Pittarello changed the match entirely, scoring in the 56th minute to pull one back, then equalizing seven minutes later. Cassandro delivered the decisive blow in the 73rd, completing a turnaround that reflected Catanzaro's statistical superiority across the 90 minutes.
GOALS:- 1' Salvatore Elia - Empoli- 15' Marco Nasti - Empoli- 56' Filippo Pittarello - Catanzaro- 63' Filippo Pittarello - Catanzaro- 73' Tommaso Cassandro - Catanzaro
STANDOUT PLAYERS:- Catanzaro: Filippo Pittarello - 2 goals, sparked the comeback- Empoli: Salvatore Elia - Early opener set the tone
KEY STAT: Catanzaro outshot Empoli 16-5 and held 63.5% possession despite conceding twice in the opening quarter-hour.