Christian Kouame endured a frustrating evening in front of goal, missing multiple chances, but ultimately salvaged a crucial point for Empoli against Como.
His late header canceled out Anastasios Douvikas’ debut Serie A goal in a fiercely contested relegation battle.
The match carried significant weight in the fight for survival, with both sides missing key players. Como had to cope without Nico Paz and Dele Alli, who were suspended, while Alberto Dossena’s season ended prematurely due to an ACL injury.
Coach Cesc Fabregas was also absent from the touchline, serving a ban. Empoli, meanwhile, were still without Youssef Maleh, Szymon Zurkowski, Ardian Ismajli, Tino Anjorin, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Pietro Pellegri, though they welcomed back Mattia Viti and Jacopo Fazzini.
Early on, Liberato Cacace attempted a cross into the box but lacked the necessary power, allowing Oliver Kempf to cut it out. Edoardo Goldaniga thought he had put Como ahead on 20 minutes with a well-timed header, only to see the flag raised for offside.
Kouame had his first real sight at goal when he connected with a Giuseppe Pezzella cross, but his glancing header veered just wide.
Moments later, Alberto Grassi came even closer, striking the upright with a header.
Empoli goalkeeper Jean Butez showcased his reflexes to pluck a curling effort from Kouame out of the air, while Devis Vasquez had to react quickly to palm away a powerful attempt from substitute Maxi Perrone. Como nearly took the lead from the resulting corner, as Goldaniga’s header skimmed the far post.
Empoli appeared to have broken the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Kouame expertly beat the offside trap, dribbled around Butez, and rolled the ball toward an empty net.
However, in an astonishing moment, his shot struck the upright, denying him a certain goal.
Como capitalized soon after, taking the lead through a well-crafted move. Maxence Caqueret’s slick back-heel flick released Mergim Vojvoda down the right flank, and his low cross found Douvikas at the back post for a simple tap-in, his first-ever Serie A goal.
Empoli pushed for an equalizer, with Gabriel Strefezza forcing a solid save from the edge of the box. Their persistence paid off when Fazzini’s driving run through midfield set up Pezzella, who delivered an inviting cross.
Kouame rose above Alex Valle at the far post to nod in the equalizer, marking his first league goal in nearly a year.
Despite the relief of drawing level, Empoli had opportunities to snatch all three points.
In the 89th minute, Kouame squandered another glorious chance, sending his effort over the bar after Goldaniga misjudged a bounce under pressure from Lorenzo Colombo.
The tension boiled over in stoppage time as Fazzini’s reckless lunge on Jonathan Ikone earned him a straight red card. Como, sensing an opportunity, surged forward, but Vasquez denied Lucas Da Cunha’s low strike on the line.
Goldaniga then headed wide from the ensuing corner, ensuring both teams shared the spoils in a tense relegation showdown.
