EMPOLI

[D-Kin]

Anything can happen here with it being a derby. Catania are 4th and Empoli are also doing well so this should be a good game.

[D-Kin]

Last season: Not played

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


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Catania (probable): Pantanelli; Silvestri, Sottil, Stovini, Lucenti; Baiocco, Edusei, Caserta; Colucci, Spinesi, Del Core

Empoli (probable): Balli; Marzoratti, Adani, Pratali, Lucchini; Buscè, Almiron, Marianini, Moro; Vannucchi; Saudati

[D-Kin]

The game has been called off because of bad weather.

[D-Kin]

Apparently the pitch is completely unplayable.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 17 - 20/12/06 (19.30 UK)
Empoli - Siena

Stadio Franchi

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The Carlo Castellini Stadium will host a real mid-table tussle on Wednesday as Empoli will be receiving Siena in this all Tuscan affair. These two sides find themselves in a very congested portion of the table. One slip or one big win could mean real European football ambitions or an irresistible urge to look over one’s shoulder and keep one eye on the relegation zone for the rest of the term.

Empoli were expecting a somewhat unpredictable game in Sicily against Catania on Sunday and unpredictable is exactly what they got. The pitch was so waterlogged after a downpour that the game had to be postponed due to the impracticability of the playing surface. Because of the imminence of the Christmas break the game has yet to be re-scheduled. In effect this leaves the Tuscans a game which in Italy is quite an odd occurrence. Their last game was a 3-0 defeat against Inter. A score-line which was very heavy and it took the Italian champions an hour to break their impressive opponents down.

Empoli Coach Luigi Cagni will know that his right-back Andre Raggi still has to serve his suspension, Lino Marzoratti may replace him while Vittorio Tosto could also come in at left-back. In a midfield which should be no different to the one that held up Inter for so long, Antonio Busce’ and Sergio Almiron will be asked to close down the Siena midfield, while Ighli Vannucchi will be charged with supporting lone striker Luca Saudati.

The away side will be looking for their first win over a month. Recently they have got only two draws and a series of defeats. On Sunday they got a 1-1 draw against Atalanta – it took an 88th minute goal by Mario Frick to give the Bianconeri a point. Daniele Portanova added to the drama by getting himself sent off deep into injury time.

Bianconeri boss Mario Beretta will certainly have to take the red card into account when picking his team for Wednesday, and that may well be the only change he makes. It looks as though Ezio Brevi will cover in central defence. The Coach was obviously pleased with his side’s performance last time out and will once again be leaving the scoring to the impressive partnership formed by Frick and Erjon Bogdani, hoping they will carry his team higher up the League.

Man on fire: Mario Frick (Siena) – The man from Lichtenstein scored his sixth of the season on Sunday and seems to be back in gear after a short dry spell. A striker who can pull his side out of trouble as he did is absolutely invaluable.

Last season: Empoli 2-1 Siena

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


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Empoli (probable): Balli; Marzoratti, Adani, Pratali, Tosto; Marianini, Almiron, Moro, Buscè, Vannucchi; Saudati

Siena (probable): Manninger; Negro, Brevi, Rinaudo, Rossi; Antonini, Codrea, Vergassola, Candela; Frick, Bogdani

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/emp-sie.html

[kyan]

do u know when this match is going to be replayed by any chance?

(this game was involved in the vbookie....)

[D-Kin]

Nothing has been announced yet.

Don't worry, I'll let you know as soon as possible.

[D-Kin]

It's been confirmed that the game will now be played on the 24th of January.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/dec19n.html

[D-Kin]

FT 1-0 to Empoli.

Marianini with the goal.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 17 - 20/12/06 (19.30 UK)
Empoli 1 - 0 Siena
Marianini 47 (E)
Stadio Castellani

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Marianini's first ever Serie A goal gave Empoli a much-needed boost.

The Tuscan derby saw two teams in middling form face off at the Castellani, but Empoli were rested after their Sunday afternoon game at Catania was rained off. Andrea Raggi was suspended, while Siena missed Coach Mario Beretta due to his red card against Atalanta. Former Empoli star Francesco Tavano was in the stands, as he's due to complete a loan move to Roma from Valencia next month.

The home side had the better of the first half and Sergio Almiron's trademark screamer shook the frame of the goal with Alex Manninger beaten.

Empoli went close when Igli Vannucchi pulled the ball back across the face of goal for a desperate clearance before Mirco Gasparetto could pounce.

Manninger performed a stunning reaction save on Antonio Busce's header, but at the other end Mario Frick fired Enrico Chiesa's assist straight at Daniele Balli's legs.

Empoli broke the deadlock moments after the restart. Vannucchi's free kick was touched on by Busce' with Marianini and Vittorio Tosto piling in to push it over the line. The goal was attributed to Marianini, who may have been offside.

Gasparetto was unfortunate not to make it 2-0 with his fantastic solo effort, dribbling past a series of players and lobbing over the bar.

Tomas Locatelli had a good chance to equalise at the death, only to fire wide with his weaker right foot.


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Empoli: Balli; Lucchini, Adani (Vanigli 85), Pratali, Tosto (Marzoratti 63); Marianini, Almiron; Busce', Vannucchi, Moro; Gasparetto

Siena: Manninger; Negro (Brevi 89), Gastaldello, Rinaudo, Molinaro (Melchiorri 91); Vergassola, Codrea (Konko 75), Antonini; Locatelli; Chiesa, Frick

Ref: Romeo

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/emp-sie.html

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 19 - 13/1/07 (17.00 UK)
Empoli - Parma

Stadio Castellani

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The Carlo Castellini Stadium will welcome back top class football after the Christmas break by hosting Empoli-Parma on Saturday. The two sides find themselves in almost opposite positions in the table. There are 10 points between them, with the home side on 22 and the away side on 12, but it remains a tough game to call despite the vast mathematical difference. What they lack in points, Parma will surely try and make up for in fighting spirit.

Empoli have had plenty to reflect on over the holidays. After their postponed game in Sicily, they soon played a match they wish they could have dealyed, as Reggina gave them a 4-1 drubbing they were not expecting. They were never really in the game and were four goals behind before the break. A 68th minute penalty did little to improve the situation and the Tuscan fans will be hoping to start the New Year with a new outlook. The derby victory against Siena the week before the Reggina fiasco now seems like it happened a long time ago.

Empoli Coach Gigi Cagni will know that some changes are necessary after the previous game. Vittorio Tosto and Luca Saudati came on as substitutes last time out and seem to have done enough to earn a starting jersey. Tosto could come in at left-back while Stefano Lucchini may replace Daniele Adani as well. It looks likely to be a four man midfield with Antonio Busce’, Sergio Almiron, Ighli Vannucchi and Davide Moro behind the two forwards Nicola Pozzi and Luca Saudati.

The away side are second from bottom with only Ascoli behind them. In recent times a win has been very hard to come by in the domestic League. Their last Serie A win was actually against Ascoli back in October. Before the holiday they lost 3-1 to Lazio despite being a man over for almost the whole of the game. However, they could be out of trouble faster than they might think if they could start collecting three points from games instead of just one or even none.

Gialoblu boss Stefano Pioli will certainly want to make some changes, but they will probably all be in midfield and attack as he looks likely to leave his defence untouched. Vincenzo Grella and Zlatan Muslimovic seem certain to start ahead of Maurizio Ciaramitaro and Zlatko Dedic, leaving Andrea Gasbarroni behind Igor Budan.

Man on fire: Igor Budan (Parma) – Playing one up as Parma do puts extra pressure on the striker, but the Croat has dealt with it well. His prowess has earned him and his side eight goals so far this season. If he could keep them in Serie A by himself he would.

Last season: Empoli 1-2 Parma

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

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

Parma (probable): Bucci; Ferronetti, Couto, Contini, Castellini; Dessena, Cigarini, Grella, Muslimovic, Gasbarroni; Budan

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Interestingly C4 seem to think you still own Gasbarroni.

Still no Morfeo, Budan is the key.

[meccano]

morfeo has been called up against roma tonight, the di napoli deal should be official soon

[D-Kin]

How did Morfeo do tonight?

[D-Kin]

Nevermind, he didn't feature.

channel4.com - Football Italia