The 2016-17 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak and a "slow-rolling disaster" for Empoli, as the Azzurri finished a crushing 18th in Serie A, resulting in relegation to Serie B. The team clung to the 17th spot for most of the year, but a catastrophic late-season slump, combined with a spectacular run of results from rivals Crotone, saw them heartbreakingly drop into the relegation zone on the final day. Leading the charge for goals in the desperate fight for survival was the Georgian forward Levan Mchedlidze, whose 6 crucial league goals, alongside veteran captain Massimo Maccarone, were not enough to save the club from ending their three-year stay in the top flight. It was an unforgettable year defined by a brutal, last-minute loss of their Serie A status.