Serie A Round 38: Crucial Relegation Battles - Empoli’s Off-Field Advantage and Udinese’s Dilemma

In the early hours of May 27th Beijing time, the final relegation battles of Serie A's 38th round kicked off simultaneously. Empoli, facing a Roma side that might have nothing left to play for, seems to enjoy all three key advantages—time, location, and human resources. Particularly, the human advantage is likely to play a decisive role, putting Udinese, who have been in Serie A for 29 consecutive seasons, in a perilous position.

Empoli vs Roma: Off-Field Advantage Trumps All

Empoli has been in Serie A for three seasons. This season, their attacking power has plummeted, making them the lowest-scoring team in Serie A. The last time a team with the fewest goals successfully avoided relegation was Torino in the 2006-2007 season. In the 16 seasons since then, more than half of the teams finishing second in the goal-scoring charts have also ended up second from the bottom in the standings, illustrating the immense difficulty Empoli faces in staying up.

In the previous round against direct relegation rival Udinese, Empoli played extremely tough, as did their opponents. The total number of fouls in the match was 32, meaning there was a foul every five minutes on average, making the game highly fragmented. Empoli only managed their first on-target shot in the 89th minute via a penalty, securing the lead. Although Empoli seemed to have defeated their opponents, they couldn't overcome the long stoppage time. In the 103rd minute of stoppage time, Udinese also received a penalty, and the game ended 1-1. Notably, Udinese's coach is Fabio Cannavaro, the captain of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning team, and his team is unlikely to be relegated easily.

In the final round, Empoli must win to ensure direct survival. A draw would only see them possibly relegated to a playoff. Bologna, currently fourth, completed their season with a loss to Genoa. They are just two points ahead of newly crowned Europa League champions Atalanta with two games in hand. This means if Atalanta wins tonight, Roma cannot qualify for the Champions League next season by finishing sixth in Serie A. Overcoming Atalanta seems even harder, so it appears that De Rossi’s team will likely finish sixth again, though still with a chance to surpass the points tally of the previous two seasons.

Roma have won eight consecutive matches against Empoli and defeated them 7-0 in the first round this season. However, for survival, Empoli will unleash incredible energy both on and off the field. They are expected to play at 20% of their potential at home, while Roma’s efforts might be in vain. It’s better not to exert themselves at all.

Frosinone vs Udinese: Elevator Mode Closed?

Frosinone only needs a draw to secure their historic first Serie A survival. At the start of the season, the Serie B champions performed well, staying mid-table for a while. However, a cold spell of just one win in 20 games relegated them to a relegation battle. Fortunately, Frosinone regained their stability towards the end of the season, losing only one of the last eight matches and keeping five clean sheets in the process. Sulle, the 21-year-old forward loaned from Juventus, is the team’s top scorer with 11 goals, and he will be a key figure if Frosinone manages to stay up.

Udinese has been relegated from Serie A only five times, with the last occurrence in 1994. If they survive this season, they will have spent 30 consecutive seasons in Serie A. Udinese have drawn 19 matches this season, the most in Europe’s top five leagues. Their last two draws were achieved in stoppage time after being behind, showcasing their tenacity. The first match between the two ended in a typical 0-0 stalemate. The tension in this game hinges on the live score of Empoli vs Roma. Both teams are unlikely to find a good attacking method.

In summary, Empoli’s off-field advantages against Roma could be the decisive factor in their survival, while Udinese’s situation remains precarious, needing at least a draw against Frosinone to secure their place in Serie A for another season. The upcoming matches are set to be thrilling, with everything to play for in the final round of Serie A.