Napoli were unable to come back from Alberto Cerri's early opener as they were beaten by Empoli almost two years to the day since their last defeat at the Stadio Castellani.
The Italian centre forward Cerri netted what proved to be the only goal when he climbed highest to power home a header in the 4th minute.
The Azzurri spent the rest of the match looking for a way through without finding a solution. Most of their attacks died out before they could get the final shot in and they mustered with very few clear-cut opportunities of note.
Empoli for their part battled valiantly and managed to hold onto three precious points in their bid to beat the drop.
Napoli's tenth defeat of the campaign makes their route back into Europe that much harder but they'll go again against Roma next weekend.
Empoli 1-0 Napoli (HT 1-0)
Scorer: Cerri 4.
EMPOLI: Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Gyasi, Grassi (Bastoni 82), Maleh, Pezzella (Cacace 82), Fazzini (70' Zurkowski), Cambiaghi (Cancellieri 70), Cerri (Niang 20).
Coach: Nicola.
NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Juan Jesus, Natan (Mazzocchi 46), Anguissa (Simeone 89), Lobotka, Zielinski, Politano (Ngonge 72), Kvaratskhelia (Raspadori 72), Osimhen.
Coach: Calzona.
Referee: Manganiello (Pinerolo).
Booked: Juan Jesus, Pezzella, Bereszynski, Ngonge.
