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·21 January 2024

Serie A | Empoli 3-0 Monza: Zurkowski hat-trick on Nicola debut

New Empoli coach Davide Nicola made an ideal debut with Szymon Zurkowski scoring his first ever hat-trick to flatten Monza 3-0.

The Tuscans sacked Aurelio Andreazzoli after just three draws in the last eight rounds, culminating in a 2-1 defeat to Verona that left them one point off the bottom. They had not won since November away to Napoli and their only previous home victory was against Salernitana in September.

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Comeback specialist Nicola had to do without suspended Matteo Cancellieri, injured Francesco Caputo, Simone Bastoni, Tyronne Ebuehi, Ardian Ismajli, Gabriele Guarino and Giuseppe Pezzella, so threw new signing Alberto Cerri straight into the starting XI.

Monza had Samuele Birindelli banned, Jose Machin on international duty, plus Michele Di Gregorio and Gianluca Caprari on the treatment table. Coach Raffaele Palladino also had to watch from the stands due to a touchline ban.

Emmanuel Gyasi was sent clear on goal by an inspired Sebastiano Luperto slide-rule pass, only to be denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Alessandro Sorrentino.

Moments later, the hosts took the lead when a Razvan Marin cross was deflected up into the air, turning into an accidental assist for the fantastic Zurkowski right-foot volley from the edge of the area. It was his second goal in as many games since returning to Empoli from Spezia.

Roberto Gagliardini fired just off target, but the Tuscans doubled their lead when Sorrentino performed a desperate save on Cerri and then was only able to watch as Zurkowski nodded the rebound in off the underside of the bar.

Luperto had to nod the Giorgos Kyriakopoulos cross practically off the line to prevent a Lorenzo Colombo tap-in.

After the restart, Elia Caprile pushed away the Dany Mota Carvalho header, but Empoli completed the rout when Valentin Carboni lost it in midfield and Zurkowski went on the counter, then was ready to fire in after a Stiven Shpendi roll across was blocked by Luca Caldirola. It was not only his first ever hat-trick, but also a perfect one – right foot, left and head.