Empoli U20 vs Cesena U20 - Campionato Primavera - 1

All eyes turn to the home ground on September 6, 2026 as Empoli U20 welcome Cesena U20 in a Campionato Primavera - 1 encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

There is plenty riding on this Campionato Primavera - 1 encounter for Empoli U20 and Cesena U20 alike, and neither will want to leave the home ground empty-handed. It has been a solid if unspectacular run for the hosts — WDDW across their last five with a win rate of 50% — and they will want to push on from here. Cesena U20 have struggled to string results together away from home, L over their last five with a win rate of 25%. Where Empoli U20 have leaned on defensive discipline, Cesena U20 have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. Larson has not visited Victory Lane since May last year but remains firmly in championship contention, sitting eighth in the standings as the NASCAR Chase approaches in September.

How the two sides approach the contest strategically will be key. Empoli U20 will want to control proceedings in front of their own supporters, while Cesena U20 will back themselves to cause problems on the break. Andoni Iraola, like Luis Enrique, is a coach who demands that his players press high.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. But so impressive was the midfielder in that win at Auxerre that 11 senior starts later the now 20-year-old midfielder has signed for Newcastle for £35.5m – and some consider it a bargain.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 2-2 draw is easy to envisage. With positions in the Campionato Primavera - 1 table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The Spaniard heading to Barca all but rules out a midfield departure from the Bernabeu and thus United will likely have to look elsewhere.