Empoli-Fiorentina, the final result 0-0

From our correspondent in Empoli GB Olivero

August 21
– Milan

First point for Empoli and first disappointment for Fiorentina: the Tuscan derby ends without a goal and the Viola are unable to exploit more than half an hour of numerical superiority, due to the expulsion of Luperto. The Italian team has created very little and the result rewards the combativeness of an Empoli still far from last year’s levels.

FIRST HALF

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Italian changes nine elements with respect to the challenge against Twente, while Zanetti confirms the defeated formation in La Spezia at the debut. The intention of the Fiorentina coach is twofold: to save many holders in view of the return of the Conference League playoffs and to give new signings a chance, excluded en masse on Thursday. The pace of the race is low. The heat has an impact, but there are also structural difficulties. Empoli is not yet fluid and vertical as in last season, Fiorentina is looking for new certainties, but the impact of Dodo and Ikonè is not particularly positive. The Viola attack mainly on the right, but both the full-back and the winger often make mistakes in execution or choice. Thus the dangers are limited. At the end of the first half there are only three occasions overall with a single shot in the mirror. The conclusion is from Ikonè who tries to take advantage of a cross from Terzic in the 38th minute, but Vicario is exceptional in deflecting for a corner. The other two occasions are for Empoli: in the 2 ‘Gollini anticipates Lammers in the exit well triggered by Henderson and in the 46’ Destro sensationally misses the door with an easy header from a cross from Parisi.

SECOND HALF

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After a boring forty-five minutes, a more lively recovery is expected. Italian inserts Duncan and Sottil in place of Maleh and Saponara, but the first chance in the 7th minute is again for Destro, who hits the left ball badly from an excellent position. Immediately after the referee Marchetti is injured, who is replaced by the fourth official Sacchi. At 22 ‘comes the possible turning point of the race: Luperto is expelled for having landed Jovic in the open field. Sacchi initially warns him, Var Mazzoleni calls him to the video and the referee changes his mind even if there are many doubts about the clear scoring opportunity. The game heats up, Sottil asks for a penalty that is not granted because he himself had touched the ball with his hand at the start of the action. Empoli ends with a 4-3-2, Fiorentina also relies on Nico Gonzalez. Zanetti tries to restart with the verve of Satriano and Cambiaghi, who replace the starting points. The difficulty of the Viola in the construction is astonishing: only so many crosses arrive, but no occasion and no shot in the mirror of the goal. The referee allows ten minutes of recovery (and in the end it will be eleven) and in the 54th minute Duncan has the last chance, but Ismajli blocks with the body. And a few seconds later Mandragora kicks from outside and Vicario deflects for a corner. The last three corners do not change history: the derby ends without a goal.