The 2007-08 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for Empoli as the Azzurri finished a crushing 18th in Serie A, resulting in their relegation to Serie B. This challenging season was bookended by a historic milestone: the club's debut in the UEFA Cup, where a youthful side secured a memorable 2-1 home win against FC Zürich. Leading the attack was Nicola Pozzi, whose 7 league goals proved crucial, alongside the emerging talent of young forward Sebastian Giovinco, in a turbulent year that saw the club's top-flight status dramatically slip away.