Days after Bove collapsed on same field, Fiorentina loses on penalties to Empoli in Italian Cup

By The Associated Press

Fiorentina's Robin Gosens, right, plays the ball as Empoli's Junior Sambia looks on during an Italian Cup soccer match between Fiorentina and Empoli at Artemio Franchi stadium, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Florence, Italy. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Massimo Paolone]

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — With teammate Edoardo Bove watching from his hospital bed, Fiorentina was knocked out of the Italian Cup on penalties by Empoli. Empoli won the shootout 4-3 after the match had ended 2-2. Emmanuel Ekong sent his spot kick wide for Empoli but Fiorentina missed two. Luca Ranieri had his saved and Moise Kean fired over the bar. Sebastiano Esposito converted the winning penalty to send Empoli into the quarterfinals where it will face either Juventus or Cagliari. The match was being played just three days after Bove collapsed on the same field in the 16th minute of a Serie A match against Inter Milan.