EMPOLI

[D-Kin]

Maccarone scores, 2-0.

[D-Kin]

FT 2-0 to Siena.

[Forza_Roma]

Siena got an important win today!

Serie A Week 36 - 13/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Siena 2 - 0 Empoli
Portanova 12 (S), Maccarone 93 (S)
Stadio Franchi

Siena have dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with this crucial victory over their local rivals.

This Tuscan derby had a great deal at stake. Empoli needed only a few points to secure their UEFA Cup place, while Siena were in the depths of the relegation zone and had to do without the suspended Valerio Bertotto, Alberto, Luca Antonini and Daniele Corvia. The visitors were also hit by the Disciplinary Commission sidelining Sergio Almiron and Davide Moro.

At least the Bianconeri could look to their record, having beaten Empoli in both their previous Serie A visits to the Stadio Franchi, scoring five goals and conceding none.

Siena took first blood after 12 minutes with defender Daniele Portanova's second goal of the season. A free kick found Portanova completely unmarked for a glancing free header from six yards that slotted into the far bottom corner.

They had no intention of battening down the hatches and had several more chances in a single move. Mario Frick's solo run dropped Ascoli and was parried by Bassi, but then Galloppa's follow-up was deflected on to the upright by an arm.

Brevi ballooned over from a promising position and Empoli's hopes of getting back into the game were hit by Richard Vanigli's silly two bookings in the space of nine minutes, leaving the visitors with 10 men.

Before the break Siena threatened a second goal in similar circumstances to the first, as again Portanova was allowed a header on Galloppa's set-piece.

The home side continued to push and Vittorio Tosto required a goalline clearance to deny Simone Vergassola.

The points were finally put under lock and key in stoppages by former Empoli hero Massimo Maccarone, who placed a low drive beneath the goalkeeper's body on the counter.

Siena: Manninger; Negro (Gastaldello 52), Rinaudo, Portanova, Molinaro; Galoppa, Brevi (Codrea 59), Vergassola, Konko; Locatelli (Maccarone 66), Frick

Empoli: Bassi; Buscè, Vanigli, Marzoratti, Ascoli; Marianini, Ficini; Vannucchi (Tosto 46), Matteini (Caturano 77), Eder; Saudati (Coralli 65)

Ref: Morganti

Sent off: Vanigli 34 (E)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 37 - 20/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Empoli - RegginaStadio CastellaniThe Carlo Castellani Stadium will host a very important game on Sunday as Empoli will be receiving Reggina. Both sides have an awful lot to fight for in this second to last game of the term. The home side can still more than dream of the UEFA Cup next season while their opponents would be content with just Serie A football...

Empoli have won twice in the last five, but have also lost twice as well. Last week they were beaten 2-0 by a determined Siena side, who were playing for their top-flight lives just as Reggina will be. As a result of that loss Fiorentina overtook their Tuscan neighbours into fifth.

It has been a very positive season for the Azzurri overall and they would hate to lose out on their target in the final weeks. Results and performances like the last one will unfortunately lead to that and the fans will be hoping the side can bounce back for Sunday.

Empoli Coach Luigi Cagni will know that Palermo are right on his side’s tail and he looks like going for a 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to give his midfield strength and his attack support. Cagni’s side played two thirds of the Siena match with 10 men after Richard Vanigli was booked twice in the first 34 minutes. Fabrizio Ficini may be the one who will replaces him in defence while he serves his suspension.

Aside from the changes forced on the boss he looks like making a good few others as well. Davide Moro and Sergio Almiron will play the holding role in the middle with Nicola Ascoli moving back into defence and Francesco Marianni moving back on to the bench. Antonio Busce’, Ighli Vannucchi and Citadin Eder could play behind striker Luca Saudati, with Davide Matteini having to sit out as he is also suspended for one game.

The away side are unbeaten for more than a month and know one more win could turn out to be enough to save their season. On Sunday they got a 1-1 draw against Chievo Verona in a match they would have lost had it not been for their goalkeeper’s heroics.

A 3-4-2-1 seems to be the order of the day for the southerners. Only one change seems likely with Palmiro Di Dio looking like he will lose his place at the back to Salvatore Aronica. The away side will be hoping Rolando Bianchi can add to his tally of 18 goals for the season. Pasquale Foggia and Nicola Amoruso are the two charged with supporting him.

Man on fire: Andrea Campagnolo (Reggina) – If the southerners stay in Serie A it will be in no small part to the work of their No 1. He made save after save last game, just superb.

Last season: Empoli 3-0 Reggina

Form guide: Empoli (W D L W L) Reggina (W D W D D)
Empoli (probable): Bassi; Ascoli, Marzoratti, Ficini, Tosto; Moro, Almiron; Buscè, Vannucchi Eder; Saudati
Reggina (probable): Campagnolo; Aronica, Lucarelli, Lanzaro; Vigiani, Amerini, Tedesco, Modesto; Foggia, Amoruso; Bianchi
Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Forza Reggina, I'd hate to see them go down.

[Forza_Roma]

I don't really care about Reggina, but Amoruso and Bianchi have been phenomenal, sop they deserve to stay up. Chievo is my team to get kicked out. Them and Del Neri to get sacked...can't wait! He made negative comments about his time in Rome. You had Totti, Cassano and Montella upfront and did nothing!

[Forza_Roma]

Empoli earn Uefa Spot while Reggina need another victory next week to avoid relegation.

Serie A Week 37 - 20/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Empoli 3 - 3 Reggina
Vannucchi 9 (E), Moro 22 (E), Saudati 23 (E), Vigiani 51 (R), Amoruso 56, pen 84 (R)
Stadio Castellani

Reggina came back from 3-0 down to draw at the Stadio Castellani and give themselves hope of avoiding the drop, while the point is enough for Empoli to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Both sides needed points, but for very different reasons. The Tuscans would secure a UEFA Cup spot with victory, while the Amaranto were straddling the relegation zone. Richard Vanigli and Davide Matteini sat out a ban.

A Maurizio Lanzaro glancing header was the first opportunity for the visitors after four minutes, but it was Empoli who took the lead in spectacular circumstances.

Ighli Vannucchi curled a right-foot effort of rare power and precision from outside the area that ricocheted in off the inside of the far post, leaving Campagnolo rooted to the spot.

The goalkeeper could perhaps have done better on Empoli's second goal, as Davide Moro drilled low from the edge of the area and it squirmed past Campagnolo at the base of the near post for his first Serie A goal.

Less than 60 seconds had passed before it was 3-0. Just as Reggina tried to fight back, Antonio Busce' went on the counter-attack, sliding the ball to the back for Luca Saudati to come flying in.

Vannucchi nutmegged substitute Gazzi and curled another fine strike over the bar, while Saudati's effort thumped the woodwork just before half-time.

Reggina finally made an impact as Tedesco's header looped on to the crossbar.

Substitute Luca Vigiani pulled one back for the Amaranto within seconds of stepping on to the field, his header at the near post from a Francesco Modesto corner kick.

Pasquale Foggia wanted a penalty against his former squad, but he only earned a booking for simulation and a ban for the final game against Milan.

But Reggina blew the game wide open when they went from 3-0 down to 3-2 in the space of just five minutes. Nicola Amoruso's diving header from six yards again showed Empoli's weakness at defending in the air.

It was anyone's game now at the Castellani and Amoruso just failed to get on the end of a low cross. Amoruso had a goal disallowed for a debatable offside flag, but Empoli lost both Vittorio Tosto and Nicola Ascoli to injury.

With six minutes to go, Iacoponi hauled down Lucarelli for a penalty. Amoruso converted under the bar, but it had to be repeated for encroachment. He picked a lower shot in the same area and although Bassi got the right angle, he couldn't prevent Reggina coming back from 3-0 down to 3-3.

Empoli: Bassi; Raggi, Ascoli (Iacoponi 68), Marzoratti, Tosto (Ficini 70); Busce', Almiron, Marianini, Moro, Vannucchi; Saudati (Coralli 88)

Reggina: Campagnolo; Lanzaro (Nardini 78), Aronica, Lucarelli; Mesto (Vigiani 50), Amerini (Gazzi 32), Tedesco, Foggia, Modesto; Amoruso, Bianchi

Ref: Farina

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Jager]

Juventus pair sign with Empoli
tribalfooball.com - July 25, 2007

Juventus have confirmed midfielder Claudio Marchisio and defender Felice Piccolo are joining Empoli.

Midfielder Marchisio is only on loan, while Piccolo arrives in a co-ownership deal.

tribalfootball.com - Juventus pair sign with Empoli

[Jager]

Friendlies: Cagni content Sunday 5 August, 2007

Empoli notched up a solid 3-1 victory over Serie B outfit Frosinone in their pre-season friendly.

Guillermo Giacomazzi set up the opener for Nicola Pozzi clear on goal and after the restart Eder helped Luca Antonini to double their advantage.

Frosinone got back into the game thanks to a former Empoli starlet, Francesco Lodi, but Eder’s lob ensured the bragging rights remained with the Castellani side.

Their next test will be against fellow top flight club Cagliari at Desenzano sul Garda on Sunday August 12.

“I am overall satisfied with what I saw over the 90 minutes today,” said Coach Gigi Cagni.

“In the first half we were probably more solid, especially in defence where we had players of greater experience.

“After the break we struggled a little more and the tiredness made its mark. In any case, I am content with our first afternoon kick-off of the campaign against a side of real quality.”


Empoli: Balli, Raggi, Tosto, Prevete, Marzoratti, Piccolo, Abate, Giacomazzi, Pozzi, Giovinco, Volpato
Frosinone: Sicignano, Bognar, Prosperi, Ischia, Pagani, Perra, Dedic, Pecchia, Evacuo, Lodi, Cariello

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Atalanta and Empoli drew 1-1 in a pre-season friendly, but Sampdoria were defeated by Serie C side Legnano.

Bergamo hosted the all-Serie A match just a week before the official season kicks off and both teams can be satisfied with the run-out.


Atalanta took the lead after 29 minutes when Riccardo Zampagna turned in the assist from ex-Cagliari star Antonio Langella.


Empoli fought back after the break and it was Juventus youth product Rej Volpato who secured a draw, confirming his fine pre-season performances.


“Next Sunday we will play our first game of the Serie A season away to Fiorentina, so it was important to work well today,” said Empoli boss Gigi Cagni.


“The team looked good in terms of play and aggression. I am very satisfied, as despite the intense heat everyone gave their all against an opponent of real quality.”


Sampdoria fielded their second string squad and players looking for match fitness, but still should have done better than a 1-0 defeat to Legnano.


Vincenzo Montella played the entire 90 minutes in a bid to get back on form and had some scoring opportunities.


New arrival Antonio Cassano did not take part

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[Buddha14]

Zurich v Empoli UEFA Cup

Away first match discuss your thoughts

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Empoli Coach Gigi Cagni has spoken of his pride after a young Azzurri side delivered victory over Zurich in their UEFA Cup debut.

The Tuscan minnows shocked Serie A last term when they secured a seventh-placed finish and brought European football to the tiny Stadio Castellani for the first time in the club’s 87-year history.

Cagni worried fans by announcing that he would be taking the chance to field some second string players against Swiss champions Zurich, but his young charges did him proud.

Empoli led 2-0 and dominated the game with Neapolitan stopper Felice Piccolo impressing and finding the net.

Unfortunately, Zurich grabbed a crucial away goal late on, but Cagni was righly pleased with the 2-1 triumph.

“I’m very satisfied with everything the lads did,” he beamed. “By the end they were exhausted, but for 70 minutes we ran the game.

“We showed that this squad has promising youth players who can play in Serie A and the UEFA Cup. I left four regular starters in the stands and it made no difference.”

The Empolesi have had a poor start to their domestic campaign and are still awaiting their first win as they prepare to host Napoli this weekend.

“I rested players because of Napoli, but also to prove that I can trust the squad players,” Cagni continued.

“From now we are thinking about the weekend and then we have tough games against Catania and Palermo.”

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