Monza 2-2 Empoli result, stats and report

Mantova led through Edoardo Saporiti's header but Empoli scored three times in the final half-hour to claim a 3-1 away victory in a match that turned completely on its head after the break.

Inter dismantled Monza at San Siro with a performance that was as structured as it was decisive, scoring four times to open their Serie A season at the top of the table. The patterns Inter built throughout told the real story.

Empoli took all three points at home with a 1-0 win over Cremonese, courtesy of an early headed goal that stood up despite Cremonese controlling possession for long stretches. Sophie Hargreaves breaks down the tactical patterns that made this result entirely predictable if you knew where to look.

Modena have been genuinely difficult to beat at home this season, but Empoli travel to the Stadio Braglia having already won their opening Serie B fixture and carrying the confidence of a side with nothing to fear on the road.

Monza and Sassuolo meet on Friday evening carrying the weight of opening-day defeats and defensive vulnerabilities that coaching staff will need to address quickly. This is a fixture where structure and preparation may matter more than individual quality.

Lecce arrive at the Stadio Via del Mare with three points on the board but a performance profile that raises serious questions. Monza, hammered four-one in their Serie A return, come to Puglia with very little to lose and everything to prove.

Empoli have been a different team at home this season, but Arezzo come to Tuscany on Friday having already shown they can score and win on the road. This is a sharper fixture than the division table currently suggests.

Parma host Monza on Sunday in a Serie A fixture where the underlying numbers tell a more complicated story than the league table can yet reveal. The data points firmly in one direction, and it is not towards the home side.