Genoa were held after a controversial Empoli equaliser as they played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Ferraris on Monday evening.
Andrea Bertolacci’s sweet drive gave the Rossoblu a slender lead in an entertaining first half before a turgid second period was punctured by the visitors goal coming off the hand of Lorenzo Tonelli to give Empoli a share of the spoils.
The match kicked off after a minutes applause for the man who lost his life during the devastating floods that have continue to leave Genoa in a state of emergency.
After considering cancelling the fixture the match did go ahead. Both sides came into the game on the back of victories but it was Empoli who started the brighter.
Simone Verdi ghosted in after just 2 minutes but fired straight at Mattia Perin before Maccarone’s strike was diverted past the 21-year-old’s post by centre back Sebastien De Maio.
From the resultant corner, the former Middlesborough striker thought he had added to last week’s goal against Palermo only to be disappointed. The 35-year-old chested his effort past Perin at the near post but referee Angelo Cervellera blew for a foul.
The hosts began to grow into the game and the Grifone broke the deadlock on 14 minutes.
Edenilson broke upfield from full back and launched towards Alessandro Matri, who showed great strength before plucking the ball out the sky. The striker though was beaten to the bouncing ball by Bertolacci, who arrived late on to the scene to crash in his first of the season from the edge past stand-in goalkeeper Davide Bassi.
Genoa should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Luca Antonelli by Maccarone after a short corner but the referee looked relieved to see a incorrect linesman flag to avoid him having to make a decision.
The second half was barely six minutes old before Genoa lost Tomas Rincon to a hamstring injury with Luca Antonini climbing off the bench to replace the Venezuelan midfielder in what was the most eye catching moment until Bertolacci’s curling left footed effort brought a smart save from Bassi after 65 minutes.
The match became ragged and frustration was felt by both sides and fans alike as Cervellera continued to break up play with a number of delayed refereeing decisions.
With just a goal in it Genoa became more nervous and Empoli began to smell an equaliser but two great chances came and went as both substitute Zelinski and Maccarone let the ball run away from them in excellent positions.
Maurizio Sarri’s men though finally drew level although in controversial fashion.
Another corner was whipped into the near post and Maccarone again came across the near post to connect with a header but the ball hit the hand of Tonelli’s hand and over the line. Genoa players surrounded Cervellera but the whistler was unimpressed with their complaints.
Empoli were now feeling the positive attentions of Lady Luck as Bassi panicked in the area with the goalkeeper punching a cross off his own defender before being bailed out as the ball ricochet off the post and out for a corner.
Edenilson had the last chance for a Genoa winner when it fell to him inside the 18-yard box with three minutes remaining but the Brazilian drag his effort wastefully wide as both sides had to settle for a point a piece.
