Empoli travelled to Parma for a 2-0 victory in Serie A on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.
The goals came either side of half-time for Maurizo Sarri’s men, with Matias Vecino’s first for the club added to by Francesco Tavano. The defeat heaps more pressure on Roberto Donadoni with the Crociati bottom of the table, while the impressive Azzurri rise to 13th.
Did we get our ratings right? Have your say in the comments below.
Parma
Alessandro Iacobucci – 5.5 – Busy
Dealt a tough hand by the defence in front of him, the Serie A debutant redeemed himself with an unorthodox save to keep the score at just 2-0 from Massimo Maccarone.
Andrea Costa – 5.5 – Difficult
Defended fairly well down the wing, where Empoli rarely threatened. Came close with an outside-of-the-area effort that flashed past the near-post, telling that it fell to the 28-year-old defender to try and trouble the visitors goal.
Felipe – 5 – Troubled
Beaten by Maccarone for what should have been the third, and almost scoring it himself as his fluffed clearance hit the crossbar. The experienced Brazilian has been part of a troubled defence for the Crociati this season.
Fabiano Santacroce – 5.5 – Outpaced
Part of a defence that was so easily bypassed by balls over the top, and unable to pressure Vecino for the first goal.
Stefan Ristovski – 5.5 – Subbed
Didn’t make the hour mark as Palladino replaced the ineffectual Macedonian who has struggled at the Ennio Tardini since returning from multiple loans away.
Afriyie Acquah – 5.5- Unnoticed
Barely noticeable as the Parma midfield struggled to close down the visitors’ central creativity.
Francesco Lodi – 5.5 – Close
Booked early in the second half for a really desperate lunge tackle, Lodi then hit the post with a second half free-kick to deprive the hosts a way back into the game.
Massimo Gobbi – 5 – Tackled
Lost possession in his own half after trying to hold onto the ball, when such doubt should have seen it put into touch, and instead led to the first goal. Disappointing from the experienced midfielder.
Daniele Galloppa – 5.5 – IneffectualÂ
29-year-old playmaker Galloppa couldn’t create the chances needed for the Gialloblu, with Empoli comfortable in defending the midfielder’s best efforts.
Antonio Cassano – 6 – Trying
Always in amongst the attacks, but the veteran’s role as orchestrator was harmed by the Ducali’s lack of pace. The ex-Roma striker went on to shoot wide after a clever move that deserved a goal.
Ishak Belfodil – 5.5 – Involved
Again, involved in attacks but lacked an end product to get Parma over the line in vital moments.
Substitutes
Jose Mauri – 5.5 – Over
Arguably, the game was over when Mauri came on. With time running out the midfielder couldn’t add anything to an attack starved off confidence.
Rafaelle Palladino – 5.5 – Unhelpful
Also thrown on by Donadoni in a desperate attempt to claw the game back, but Empoli sat firm to keep Palladino quiet.
Nicola Pozzi – N/A
Came on with seven minutes to go with the game over.
Empoli
Luigi Sepe – 6.5 – Clean
Great save to dive to keep a clean sheet on the 88th minute, the on-loan keeper was assured and successfully riled Cassano in a disagreement over a possible corner.
Elseid Hysaj – 6.5 – Simple
Kept the attackers in front of him for the most part, and grabs a clean sheet as a reward for an afternoon of high concentration.
Lorenzo Tonelli – 6.5 – Control
Repelled advances competently, and happy for the hosts to have possession outside of the area as the final ball was lacking and could easily by swept up.
Daniele Rugani – 7 – Class
Another good performance from the young Azzurri defender, who made the vital interceptions and clearances when called upon.
Mario Rui – 6 – Comfortable
Unflustered in his 55 minutes on the pitch, subbed off for Francesco Barba after the second goal.
Mirko Valdifiori – 6 – Calm
Looked decent on the ball and able to pressurise the Crociati players in defence, the 28-year-old once again looked at home in playing for a decent Serie A side.
Matias Vecino – 7 – Craft
Scored his first Empoli goal with a strong bottom-corner finish, the Uruguayan then crafted the Azzurri’s second with a sumptuous left-footed lob to find Tavano- who did the rest.
Daniele Croce – 6 – Decent
The veteran midfielder was another cog in a confident Empoli set-up that was efficient in taking the three points in Parma.
Simone Verdi – 6.5 – Battled
Returning for the visitors, Verdi did very well as he battled to win the ball from Gobbi and create Empoli’s opener.
Massimo Maccarone – 6 – Runner
Involved in the first goal and should have made it three later on. The Italian striker chased a ball over the top brilliantly, but placed a shot at the sprawling keeper Iacobucci from eight yards. Booked on the 70th minute.
Francesco Tavano – 6.5 – Strong
Calm side-footed finish to double the visitors advantage, made possible by a typically confident first touch. Replaced with 15 minutes to go, the game safe.
Substitutes
Francesco Barba – 6.5 – Clearances
Introduced with the two-goal advantage and was an important player in keeping the score 2-0, often the man who dealt with Parma crosses.
Diego Laxalt – 6 – Comfort
Came on with the game near enough sealed, and settled in quickly to help Empoli’s clean sheet.
Manuel Pucciarelli – N/A
Just a 13 minute performance for the Italian forward.
