Empoli drew 0-0 with Torino at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Monday evening in Serie A.
The Azzurri and Granata played out a largely uneventful goalless draw in Tuscany although the points they shared could eventually prove valuable if they continue to battle at the wrong end of the table.
With a first-half regularly interrupted by cynical fouls it was a contest lacking quality or action with the visitors seemingly happy to concede midfield superiority, however, when Matias Vecino threatened to produce the first moment of quality nearly fell behind.
The 23-year-old was given far too much time 25 yards from goal to unleash a powerful drive and goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet was helpless as he watched it whistle just inches past his left post.
Five minutes later, albeit in less spectacular fashion, Gillet was finally forced into action after another needless foul allowed Simone Verdi to test the Belgian from the resulting free-kick.
On 33 minutes the Granata finally had an effort worthy of the name, however, after turning his marker Josef Martinez fired a weak shot that Luigi Sepe made look marginally better by failing to hold.
As Empoli continued to dominate Verdi then created some space just on the edge of the Torino box shortly before the break but Gillet got down well to his left to keep out a low drive.
The Granata certainly showed more attacking intent in the opening minutes and could have taken the lead on 48 minutes only for Fabio Quagliarella to fail to connect fully with an attempted overhead kick five yards out and Sepe gratefully collected.
That seemed to inspire the Azzurri and the game reverted to its original pattern and when Verdi burst through was taken out with a horrible lunge by Emiliano Moretti on the edge of the box that could have earned a straight red.
The hosts continued to press for a winner and in the 76th minute Massimo Maccarone nodded a cleverly worked set-piece across the goal to Manuel Pucciarelli but his shot was quickly closed down.
With the visitors continuing a policy of stopping the hosts by any means necessary Pontus Jansson committed a rash challenge minutes before the end of normal time to be shown red and injury himself in the process.
Considering Torino’s approach to the match and that a point helps them climb the table they will arguably be the happier of the pair but will have to improve as they welcome high-flying Genoa to Turin next weekend.
Empoli, although disappointed not to have won, will take confidence that they are slowly consolidating their position in Serie A as the winter break approaches.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
