Empoli and A.C. Reggiana 1919 finished level at 1-1 in their Coppa Italia tie on Friday, August 16th, 2025, forcing the match to be decided by a penalty shootout. The Serie A side was held by their determined Serie B opponents in a match that saw momentum swing both ways. Reggiana took a surprise lead in the first half, demonstrating their threat on the counter-attack, but Empoli rallied after the break and found an equalizer to send the game to extra time. Despite chances for both sides in the additional thirty minutes, no further goals were scored, leading to the drama of penalties. The shootout was a tense affair, with Empoli ultimately holding their nerve to advance to the next round of the competition. While Empoli progresses, Reggiana exits with their heads held high after a valiant effort. Empoli's coach would have been relieved to survive a potential upset, praising his team's composure from the spot. The Empoli starting XI included several new signings looking to make an impression.