Lazio 0 - 0 Empoli
Stadio Olimpico
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A desperately disappointing Lazio had an eye on the Champions League in this
turgid draw with Empoli - their third straight stalemate.
Neither side had a victory yet going into this Saturday evening clash,
although at least the home side had picked up two points. Delio Rossi
continued to deal with an injury crisis that ruled out Mobido Diakhite,
Stefano Mauri, Fabio Firmani and Sebastiano Siviglia, but new Uruguayan
goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was given his Serie A debut. It was a special
game for Tommaso Rocchi, who took on the club that launched his career.
Simone Del Nero combined with Massimo Mutarelli, forcing Richard Vanigli
into a crucial challenge after three minutes.
Rocchi cut back to leave Andrea Raggi stranded just inside the area, but his
curling shot was just over the bar. Lazio had the better of the early play,
but Empoli nearly snatched a surprise opener when a free kick was taken
quickly for Luca Saudati and Muslera pushed it off his feet.
Lazio kept the tempo disconcertingly slow in this first half and rarely
managed to trouble an organised Empoli side, who were playing in their dark
red away strip.
Gaby Mudingayi's low drive from the edge of the area was well smothered by
Balli, but the midfielder side-footed it for precision rather than get real
power behind the ball.
Muslera impressed with a brave run off his line to clear from Guillermo
Giacomazzi, but the Biancocelesti needed something to spice up this turgid
match. Mourad Meghni replaced Del Nero at the break and Balli needed two
attempts to block a fine Rocchi turn and strike from outside the box.
Goran Pandev's deflected effort was also saved, but Mudingayi should have
scored when Rocchi rolled the ball across for the on-rushing African, but he
slipped and the glorious chance went begging.
In a rare moment of drama, Empoli felt they deserved a penalty on 69 minutes
when Muslera missed a cross and Luca Saudati fell, perhaps held back
initially by Emilson Cribari.
Antonio Busce's tackle stopped short a dangerous Lazio counter, but moments
later a defensive error freed substitute Stephen Makinwa and Balli grabbed
the low angled drive.
Igli Tare came on and his header from a corner kick looped over and Under-21
international sensation Sebastian Giovinco made an immediate impact too,
hacked down by Cristian Ledesma in what could have perhaps been considered a
red card offence. His free kick was deflected out for a corner.
Deep into injury time Meghni found space down the right flank, but his cross
missed Tare's head by a whisker.
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Lazio: Muslera; Behrami, Stendardo, Cribari, Zauri; Mudingayi, Ledesma,
Mutarelli; Del Nero (Meghni 46); Pandev (Makinwa 70), Rocchi (Tare 78)
Empoli: Balli; Raggi, Vanigli, Marzoratti; Buscè, Giacomazzi, Marchisio,
Moro, Tosto; Vannucchi (Giovinco 78); Saudati (Volpato 75)
Ref: De Marco
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