EMPOLI

[Jager]

I don't know how they could lose to Empoli?

At times it seems the mid table clubs take time to beat each other??

[D-Kin]

Empoli are a strong side though, especially at home.

Defensively they're among the best in the league.

[D-Kin]

Here we go then, Catania-Empoli tonight.

[D-Kin]

Catania won 2-1.

Caserta, Busce and Mascara with the goals.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 16 - 24/1/07 (19.30 UK)
Catania 2 - 1 Empoli
Caserta 52 (C), Busce' 54 (E), Mascara 61 (C)
Stadio Massimino

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Giuseppe Mascara's overhead kick took Catania above Empoli in fourth place in a rescheduled Week 16 game.

This game was postponed due to heavy rainfall at the Stadio Massimino on December 17, 2006. The Sicilian city had been under thunderstorms for several hours and referee Mauro Bergonzi's tests failed to make the ball roll along the heavy pitch. By the time it had been rescheduled, Gionatha Spinesi and Giuseppe Colucci were suspended and this had become a head-to-head showdown for fourth place.

Giorgio Corona returned from injury and within seven minutes had rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner kick.

Ighli Vannucchi responded for Empoli with a long-range strike that skimmed the upright and soon after Luca Saudati spun round a Vannucchi assist.

Antonio Busce' and Giuseppe Mascara also went close in a tense first half, although Catania again threatened the most from a set-piece. Caserta's free kick was flicked on by an ambitious Davide Baiocco backheel that whistled past the post.

After the break the Sicilians opted for an even more attacking approach with Fausto Rossini replacing Millesi in the front trident.

Marianini had a great chance for the visitors, but it was Catania who took the lead on 52 minutes. Caserta's shot didn't appear to be particularly powerful, but it was still enough to beat Daniele Balli and Lino Marzoratti on the line.

Less than 120 seconds later, Empoli equalised at the Stadio Massimino. Saudati held up the ball for Busce's precise header. Moments later they nearly took the lead, as Busce's effort was saved by Armando Pantanelli.

Mascara continued the fiery second half action with a splendid goal, performing an overhead kick to turn in Lorenzo Stovini's deflected strike.

Rossini had penalty appeals waved away, then skimmed the woodwork with a diving header. Corona thought he had netted Catania's third of the game, but his goal was disallowed for a debatable offside position.

Ascoli's header and a Nicola Pozzi effort were well saved by Pantanelli to secure the points.

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Catania: Pantanelli; Silvestri, Sottil, Stovini, Vargas; Baiocco, Edusei, Caserta (Lucenti 90); Millesi (Rossini 46), Corona (Izco 83), Mascara

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Pratali (Vanigli 76), Ascoli; Almiron, Marianini (Gasparetto 73); Buscé, Vannucchi, Matteini (Pozzi 58.); Saudati

Ref: Bergonzi

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Catania are up into 4th now.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

[Forza_Roma]

wow Catania continue to impress. I would of predicted a draw here as these teams are evenly matched. Nice to see both clubs doing so well!

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 21 - 28/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Chievo - Empoli

Stadio Bentegodi

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Chievo badly need to improve their home form but they may struggle as an Empoli side enjoying a fairytale campaign arrive at the Stadio Bentegodi.

After last season’s heroics, the Flying Donkeys have been brought down to earth. The Gialloblu have improved since the awful start that led to the demise of Bepi Pillon, but they still have a lot of work to do if they are to avoid a nail-biting season perched above the drop-zone.

Gigi Del Neri’s side were hit by a second half Siena comeback last week as they fell to their sixth away defeat of the season. However, the true surprise has been the Clivensi’s poor home form. While the Ceo lost only twice at the Bentegodi last term, they have already been beaten five times there in the current campaign.

Empoli continue to astound the critics and remain firmly in the race for a Champions League spot. Last weekend’s 2-0 win over Sampdoria helped the Azzurri claim fourth place and showed that the Tuscan minnows didn’t lose momentum during the winter break.

Gigi Cagni has worked wonders and his success has been based on a mean defence. While Empoli have only scored six times on their travels this season, they only conceded nine times before Wednesday’s clash against Catania. Cagni will be confident in his side’s chances but may worry about fatigue after Wednesday’s rearranged clash with Catania.

However, Chievo will look back at Week 2’s 1-1 draw at the Stadio Castellani with some satisfaction as they had to play with 10 men for most of the game.

Del Neri cannot call upon the suspended Lorenzo D’Anna or Luciano, but has few other worries. The only injury doubt is midfielder Andrea Zanchetta. Nigerian prodigy Victor Obinna is set to start on the bench with Erjon Bogdani given the nod to partner Sergio Pellissier up front. New signing Cesar Prates has arrived from Livorno but may not be ready to make his debut.

The visitor’s concerns are largely defensive. Daniele Adani is out for a month with a knee injury but Stefano Lucchini who has been ill with flu and Vittorio Tosto who has a calf injury may be fit. Andrea Raggi continues to play despite a shoulder complaint.

Man on fire: Davide Matteini (Empoli) – The ex-Pescara man is starting to look at home in his maiden Serie A season and has started the New Year on form finding the net against Parma and Sampdoria.

Last season: Chievo 2-2 Empoli

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

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Chievo (probable): Sicignano; Malago’, Mandelli, Mantovani, Marchese; Sammarco, Italiano, Brighi; Semioli, Bogdani, Pellissier

Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Pratali, Ascoli; Almiron, Marianini, Busce’, Vannucchi, Matteini; Saudati

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Chievo: Sicignano, Lanna, Mandelli, Mantovani, Moro, Brighi, Italiano, Sammarco, Semioli, Obinna, Bogdani
Subs: Passarini, Malago, Rickler Del Mare, Marcolini, Cesar Prates, Cossato, Pellissier

Empoli: Balli, Tosto, Moro, Lucchini, Raggi, Vanigli, Almiron, Busce, Vannucchi, Matteini, Pozzi
Subs: Bassi, Ascoli, Ficini, Marianini, Eder, Saudati, Castro

[D-Kin]

HT 0-0.

[D-Kin]

FT 0-0.

[Forza_Roma]

Empoli should of took these points...Chievo must he happy with the draw though!

[D-Kin]

Yeah, it's a good result for Chievo.

They seem to be good one week then poor the next.

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 21 - 28/1/07 (14.00 UK)

Chievo 0 - 0 Empoli
Stadio Bentegodi

The points were shared in this disappointing encounter between two sides on poor form at the moment.

The Flying Donkeys hoped to end their dismal home form which already had five marks in the defeats column, but faced an Empoli side still in the hunt for European places, even after the rescheduled midweek 2-1 defeat at Catania. Lorenzo D'Anna, Luciano and Daniele Adani were ruled out for this game.

Davide Matteini's curling effort from the edge of the area skimmed the top corner and Ighli Vannucchi blasted over from a promising position. The first real chance came on the half-hour mark with Victor Obinna's strike well saved by Daniele Balli.

Sergio Almiron went on an inspired solo run past Paolo Sammarco and Vincenzo Italiano before his central shot was smothered.

Chievo were more determined after the break as Italiano drilled wide from 25 metres and Fabio Moro's header was off target. Ex-Livorno midfielder Cesar Prates was given his Gialloblu bow and his effort was turned out for a corner kick.

Sergio Pellissier and Franco Semioli had good scoring opportunities in the closing stages, but Chievo were unable to find a way through.

Chievo: Sicignano; F Moro, Mandelli, Mantovani, Lanna; Sammarco, Italiano, Brighi (Cesar Prates 64); Semioli, Bogdani (Cossato 59), Obinna (Pellissier 73)

Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Vanigli, Lucchini, Tosto; D Moro, Almiron; Busce', Vannucchi (Marianini 62), Matteini; Pozzi (Saudati 85)

Ref: Damato

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

This should be a great game as Palermo look to close the gap on Roma and Empoli eye a spot in CL. Palermo have a game in hand on Roma.

Serie A Week 23 - 11/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Palermo - Empoli
Stadio Barbera Palermo welcome Empoli to the Stadio Barbera for a Week 23 clash as they look to close the gap on second-placed Roma. The game is one of just five matches this weekend in which fans will be allowed to attend in the aftermath of last weekend’s Sardinian tragedy.

The Rosanero’s 2-1 win over Catania last weekend was a welcome boost for Francesco Guidolin – on the pitch – as his side have been very inconsistent since defeat to Inter late last year dented their Scudetto hopes. He will also have been delighted to see David Di Michele and, in particular, Andrea Caracciolo return to form in front of goal.

Both men are likely to again form two-thirds of the islanders’ attacking trident, with Australian ace Mark Bresciano completing the threesome. Indeed, the only injury absentee for Guidolin to contend with is Amauri. Out since the turn of the year, it is unlikely that we will see the Brazilian in action again before next season. Guidolin is likely to make just the one change from his victorious side last weekend, with Mattia Cassani making way for Giuseppe Biava at the back.

Empoli boss Gigi Cagni is also blessed with a virtually fully fit squad, and he’ll need all of his key men to step up to the plate after a couple of disappointing results. Goals have been particularly hard to come by this term following the departure of Francesco Tavano last summer, with no one being able to replace him thus far. As a result, the club have just a measly 19 goals to their name after the opening 21 rounds of the campaign.

The flipside of that is that only four sides have conceded less goals than the Azzurri. In a bid to keep that record going, the younger legs of Francesco Pratali are likely to be preferred to Richard Vanigli’s ageing limbs in defence. Nicola Pozzi is also likely to be given another run-out ahead of Luca Saudati in a bid to end the outfit’s woes in front of goal. If he needs inspiration then he should look no further than last term’s meeting between the sides – a Tavano double helped bag Empoli a share of the spoils…

Man on fire: David Di Michele (Palermo) – When on top of his game, Di Michele is as destructive as any player on the peninsula – and he’s back on the goal trail too.

Last season: Palermo 2-2 Empoli

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