Empoli and Venezia Lineups: A Tale of Two Formations

The Serie A match between Empoli and Venezia on April 20, 2025, turned into a tactical chess match right from the start. Both coaches abandoned the usual safety net of mirrored systems, putting their faith instead in shapes designed to tip the balance. Empoli stuck to a familiar 4-4-2, a formation that’s all about keeping the team balanced from back to front. Venezia, on the other hand, rolled the dice with a 3-5-1-1, aiming to have a say in the middle of the park.

Empoli’s lineup put Devis Vasquez in goal, counting on his sharp reactions to organize a defense built from Saba Goglichidze, Luca Marianucci, and Mattia Viti. The midfield had real bite, with Emmanuel Quartsin Gyasi’s energy and Alberto Grassi’s vision moving the ball forward. Empoli’s attack rounded out the set-up with two forwards hungry to make their mark, although the names might not jump off the page like some other sides. But what they lack in star power, they make up for by sticking together as a unit.

On the other side, Venezia’s setup was all about crowding the midfield. Ionuț Radu took up his spot between the sticks, shielded by a back three of Antony Marcandalli, Fabrizio Cande, and captain Jari Idzes, who’s never shy about taking charge. Venezia’s midfield was their battlefield, packing in Héctor Nicolussi Caviglia and Issa Doumbia to dictate the play and snuff out Empoli’s wide threats. Their attacking setup felt like a lone wolf act, with just one striker ahead of an attacking midfielder, but that didn’t mean they lacked intent—far from it.

Substitutions and The Battle for Midfield

This game’s story was written in the decisions made from the benches as much as on the pitch. Early in the second half, Empoli swapped Fabrizio Bandinelli for Francesco Di Francesco. This wasn’t just a like-for-like change—it was a direct answer to Venezia’s chokehold in the middle, seeking a bit more pace and creativity. By minute 62, another bold move came as Samuele Ricci made way for Leo Štulac, fresh legs to withstand Venezia’s relentless pressing.

Venezia didn’t hesitate to shuffle either. They traded Antony Marcandalli out at halftime and Issa Doumbia at the hour mark. With energy dropping and the game in the balance, these tweaks were about keeping up that midfield intensity and plugging any defensive leaks Empoli tried to exploit.

The benches told their own stories, stacked with names known for stepping up when it matters. Empoli counted on experienced figures like Marco Silvestri, Giuseppe Pezzella, Junior Sambia, and Tino Anjorin. They gave the manager options to shore up weaknesses or go for broke. Venezia’s bench looked just as ready, featuring Jesse Joronen—always reliable in goal—plus Ridgeciano Haps, and Francesco Zampano, all ready to jump in if the tides shifted.

• Empoli leaned on Gyasi and Grassi to try and tip the balance in midfield, hoping their energy could open up a crowded game.
• Venezia built their attack from deep, with captain Jari Idzes organizing and Doumbia providing that extra spark up front.

The tactical back-and-forth mattered just as much as individual moments of magic or defensive grit. Empoli’s width and Venezia’s crowded middle meant there were constant momentum swings, and neither side could press an advantage for long. Substitutes kept the tempo up, and fresh legs had their say as tired ones faltered.

This game wasn’t just about the starting lineups—it was a rolling conversation between two managers trying to find the edge in a tough, unpredictable Serie A matchup.