Empoli left the Orogel Stadium-Dino Manuzzi with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cesena in Serie B on January 11, 2026. This narrow match result was a crucial one for Empoli's automatic promotion ambitions, earned through a disciplined away performance. The only goal of the game came in the first half, a scrappy finish from a corner kick that proved decisive. Cesena dominated possession for large periods, especially in the second half, but found Empoli's organized defense impossible to break down. The key moment was a brilliant last-ditch block by an Empoli defender in the dying minutes to preserve the clean sheet and the win. The three points kept Empoli firmly in the hunt for a top-two finish, while Cesena's inconsistent home form continued to hinder their progress. The Empoli coach praised his team's defensive solidity and game management, and the Cesena manager lamented his side's lack of creativity in the final third