A.S. LIVORNO CALCIO

[D-Kin]

FT 0-0.

[Forza_Roma]

Siena will be cursing the woodwork in this match!

Serie A Week 26 - 28/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Siena 0 - 0 Livorno
Stadio Franchi

Siena hit the woodwork twice in the Tuscan derby, but the spoils were shared at the Stadio Franchi.

This was an intriguing local clash, as both sides hovered just above the danger zone and needed to avoid defeat. Leandro Rinaudo and Enrico Chiesa were sidelined - the striker struck down by chickenpox. This tie had only been played twice before in the top flight and both ended in a draw.

Siena had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring on 34 minutes. Francesco Cozza's fierce strike was only parried by Marco Amelia into the path of Luca Antonini, whose follow-up thumped the crossbar.

Cozza sprinted up the field and unleashed a powerful effort that Amelia palmed over the crossbar. Mario Frick was furious, as he wanted the pass.

Siena shook the woodwork for the second time on 56 minutes, as Cozza's glancing header thumped the base of the far post and Amelia bravely smothered Antonini's follow-up.

Paulinho, Filippini and Simone Vergassola skimmed the frame of the goal from distance, while Cristiano Lucarelli's header also went very close.

Siena's finishing has been a real problem this season and Antonini ballooned over from six yards.

Siena: Manninger; Bertotto, Gastaldello, Portanova, Molinaro; Codrea (Eremenko 87), Antonini, Vergassola; Cozza (Locatelli 66), Maccarone, Frick (Corvia 66)

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Rezaei, Galante, Pasquale; Pfertzel (A Filippini 60), Coppola (Morrone 60), Passoni, Cesar; Paulinho (Vidigal 78); Lucarelli

Ref: Dondarini

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[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 28 - 11/3/07 (14.00 UK)

Empoli - Livorno
Stadio Castellani

Empoli and Livorno approach this Tuscan derby at the Stadio Castellani on contrasting form. While the hosts are rampant with four wins in the last five, the visiting Labronici are in a slump and have only taken maximum points once in their last 14 outings.

When Empoli lost star striker Francesco Tavano in the summer many thought that a relegation dogfight was inevitable, but nothing could be further from the truth. The wily Gigi Cagni knows how to get the best out of unheralded players and the Empolesi have gone from strength to strength.

Sitting in fifth place, the unfashionable Azzurri are now not just looking to secure a historic first UEFA Cup adventure, but have their eyes on a Champions League place. Last weekend’s win over Udinese was a big boost, but with a crunch clash with Lazio looming next weekend, three points here are a must if they are to keep rubbing shoulders with the giants.

These are frustrating times for the Livorno faithful who are seeing their side usurped as Tuscany’s overachievers. This time last term the Granata were 15 points better off and eyeing Europe, now their chances seem slim and they could even be sucked into a relegation scrap.

Under-fire boss Daniele Arrigoni saw his men lead the formidable Inter last weekend before falling to a 2-1 defeat. While he must have been heartened by his side’s efforts, it’s away form that has been costly as the Livornesi have lost eight of 13 games on the road and conceded 29 times.

The two sides meet for only the third time in Serie A. Their second encounter was Week 9’s hard-fought stalemate which has left bragging rights still up for grabs.

Cagni is likely to opt for a simple 4-4-2 formation with ex-Livorno pair Richard Vanigli and Davide Matteini banished to the bench. Daniele Adani has a knee problem.

Samuel Kuffour and Alessandro Grandoni are set to return in defence for the visitors. Roman stopper Stefano Fanucci is still out after an operation on his right knee, but Croat Dario Knezevic may be back in action after a three month absence.

Man on fire: Ighli Vannucchi (Empoli) – A crucial figure for the Azzurri in his fifth season at the club, Vannucchi’s silky skills and eye for a pass are key weapons and have helped his side control the pace of the game in recent weeks.

Last season: Empoli 2-1 Livorno

Form guide: Empoli (W W L W W) Livorno (L W D D L)

Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Pratali, Lucchini, Tosto; Busce’, Almiron, Moro, Vannucchi; Pozzi, Saudati

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Kuffour, Galante; Balleri, Morrone, Passoni, A Filippini, Pasquale; Fiore, Lucarelli

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[Forza_Roma]

This game has a draw written all over it. I say a 0-0 draw. Fiorentina, Milan and Lazio will all be hoping Empoli lose points.

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Empoli. Goal by Pratali .........off a free kick, ball into the area, 3 or 4 Livorno defenders around and can't get clear. Terrible defending. Pratali finds the lose ball and puts it home.

RED CARD 26` Pasquale

[Forza_Roma]

Goal....2-0 Empoli Goal by Almiron

[Forza_Roma]

2-1 Goal by Rezai ..........from a free kick.... Rezai gets a head to it and puts it home.

[Forza_Roma]

2-2 Goal by Lucarelli....at the 90' min. Livorno fight back against a strong Empoli defense.

[Forza_Roma]

FT 2-2 What drama here. Late goal by Lucarelli saved Livorno!

[Forza_Roma]

Surprised Livorno managed two goals on Empoli...Lucarelli the hero!

Serie A Week 28 - 11/3/07 (14.00 UK)

Empoli 2 - 2 Livorno
Pratali 29 (E), Almiron 45 (E), Rezaeu 58 (L), C Lucarelli 93 (L)
Stadio Castellani

Livorno fought back from 2-0 down in 10 men to earn a shock point at the Stadio Castellani in the local clash.

The Tuscan derby saw two sides on contrasting form. While the hosts were rampant with four wins in the last five, the Labronici had just one victory in 14 rounds.

There was controversy early on with Cristiano Lucarelli and Stefano Lucchini wrestling to get on the end of a Stefano Fiore free kick, but the foul was given against the striker.

Vittorio Tosto almost scored an audacious opener, backheeling Nicola Pozzi's cross just past the upright. Pozzi again turned provider for Ighli Vannucchi to fire over as Marco Amelia rushed out.

Livorno were reduced to 10 men after just 26 minutes for an arm in the face of Antonio Busce'. Although there was certainly contact that left the Empoli man with a bloody nose, it did not appear to be intentionally damaging.

From the same free kick, Empoli took the lead. Vannucchi's set-piece was deflected and Francesco Pratali turned in the area to fire home at the near post.

Amelia flew to fingertip a powerful Moro right-foot strike out from under the crossbar.

In stoppages they secured their advantage with another dead-ball situation. Vannucchi's corner kick found Sergio Almiron totally unmarked to volley in from close range.

Livorno got one back in the second half when Rahman Rezaei rose to nod in a Stefano Fiore free kick, but the goalkeeper could have done better at the near post.

There was chaos in the final stages, as 10-man Livorno poured forward looking for an equaliser. They almost got it too, testing Daniele Balli with a Lucarelli strike and then Jose Luis Vidigal's header was disallowed for a push on the goalkeeper.

The Amaranto never gave in and deep into stoppages Cristiano Lucarelli curled one of his classic free kicks into the far top corner to earn Livorno a valuable point.

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Pratali, Lucchini (Marzoratti 60), Tosto; Busce', Almiron (Marianini 71); Moro, Vannucchi, Pozzi (Matteini 80); Saudati

Livorno: Amelia; Grandoni, Rezaei, Galante, Balleri (Cesar 75); Morrone (Vidigal 85), Passoni, A Filippini, Pasquale; Fiore; Lucarelli

Ref: Trefoloni

Sent off: Pasquale 26 (L)

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[D-Kin]

Livorno did well to score two goals, good result.

[D-Kin]

Game highlights:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 29 - 18/3/07 (14.00 UK)
Udinese - Livorno

Stadio Friuli

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Two mid-table sides on miserable form will look to jump-start their campaigns as Udinese host Livorno at the Stadio Friuli.

Udinese’s fourth-placed finish in 2004-05 is looking more and more of an anomaly. The Zebrette were outclassed by Roma last weekend and are now without a win in six – the frustration in Udine is tangible.

If they are to make this season worthwhile Alberto Malesani’s men must win games like this. While the notoriously outspoken Malesani will have told his side exactly where they’re going wrong, the Friuliani have been too dependent on Vincenzo Iaquinta in recent times and need to show they have other weapons.

It’s also make or break time for Livorno. After overachievement in recent seasons, the Tuscans have come back down to earth this term and are languishing in 12th.

The Livornesi showed spirit last weekend to fight back from 2-0 down to grab a draw against high-flying local rivals Empoli, but need to start picking up maximum points if they are to avoid a slide into the bottom half.

The pressure is rising again on Coach Daniele Arrigoni who has already received one stay of execution this season. If he is to survive he must get the defenders to focus away from home – Livorno have the worst away defence in Serie A with 31 goals conceded on the road.

Livorno squeezed past Udinese in Week 10 thanks to an Ibrahima Bakayoko goal. The dismissal of Antonio Di Natale three minutes before Bakayoko’s strike cost the Bianconeri dear that day.

Malesani is facing something of a defender shortage. Dias Felipe and Cesare Natali are injured while Marco Motta serves a three-match ban. Damiano Zenoni is injured and Nigerian midfielder Christian Obodo is suspended. Vincenzo Iaquinta and Paulo Barreto are back in training but are lacking match fitness and may miss out.

Livorno travel east without Giovanni Pasquale, who was sent off against Empoli for an elbow. Stefano Fanucci is still injured but there are no other absentees as Dario Knezevic returns to training with a head guard after recovering from a frontal bone fracture.

Man on fire: Cristiano Lucarelli (Livorno) – The Granata’s season may be in tatters but their talismanic captain is still finding the net. A delightful late free kick saved the day against local rivals Empoli last weekend and was his 12th goal for a struggling side.

Last season: Udinese 0-2 Livorno

Form guide: Udinese (D D D L L) Livorno (W D D L D)

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Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Coda, Zapotocny, Zapata; Pinzi, De Martino, D’Agostino, Muntari; Dossena, Di Natale, Asamoah

Livorno (probable): Amelia; Grandoni, Rezaei, Galante; Balleri, Morrone, Passoni, Coppola, A. Filippini; Fiore, Lucarelli

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