0-0 draw against Torino at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Serie A on Monday evening.
Six of the eleven meetings between the two sides in the top flight have now ended as stalemates, but the Tuscan side had the better chances as Toro defended bravely with Pontus Jansson sent off in the closing moments.
Empoli
Luigi Sepe – 6 – Iceman
Described by his agent Mario Giuffredi as “Iceman” after an excellent performance last Sunday against parent club Napoli, and was always cool when called upon this evening.
Elseid Hysaj – 6 – Attentive
Albania international made highest number of successful tackles for the home side and was a willing runner on overlap providing width from right back.
Lorenzo Tonelli – 6.5 – Commanding
Empoli youth-product was an authoritative presence when competing for headers and getting his body in front of the opposition.
Daniele Rugani – 6.5 – Resolute
20-year-old has formed a promising partnership with Tonelli, complementing the more aggressive central defender with a composed and unwavering approach.
Mario Rui – 5.5 – Aggressive
Former Portugal Under-21 international left back received a yellow card for a heavy slide tackle on Bruno Peres.
Matias Vecino – 5.5 – Earnest
Uruguayan worked hard as Empoli dominated in midfield, but will miss his first Serie A match of the season against parent club Fiorentina on Sunday through suspension.
Mirko Valdifiori – 5.5 – Director
Regista was a pre-match doubt after missing training with gastrointestinal problems, and his delivery from set piece situations would have been missed.
Daniele Croce – 6 – Consistent
The former Pescara midfielder has started every Serie A match this season, and was tireless in bringing ball forward on left side of midfield diamond.
Simone Verdi – 6 – Creative
Celebrated his first Serie A goal after 15 appearances last Sunday at Napoli, but could not double his total despite a number of chances against his joint parent club.
Francesco Tavano – 5.5 – Refined
Empoli captain had scored five goals in his previous nine matches against Torino, and was denied a sixth by fine Gillet save at the start of the second half.
Massimo Maccarone – 6 – Provider
The 35-year-old forward was also looking to keep up an impressive scoring record over the Granata with three goals in previous five matches, but did all of his best work with his back to goal and creating for teammates.
Substitutes
Manuel Pucciarelli (58 mins) – 5.5 – Energetic
Empoli’s joint top scorer replaced Tavano and nearly came close to scoring for first time since 3-0 win against Palermo on Round 6.
Piotr Zielinski (71 mins) – 5.5 – Bright
Polish playmaker nearly made a telling impact with immediate shot blocked and was brought down on edge of the box for Jansson sending off.
Levan Mchedlidze (80 mins) – N/A
Georgia international forward was introduced for Maccarone, but has not scored for Empoli since coming on as a substitute in 3-1 win against Novara in Serie B last May.
Torino
Jean-Francois Gillet – 6.5 – Tested
Veteran Belgian goalkeeper made a number of smart saves to end run of four away losses in Serie A.
Nikola Maksimovic – 6.5 – Creative
Serbian defender made several important interventions and also made the most successful dribbles in the match as he brought the ball out from the right side of defensive back three.
Pontus Jansson – 5 – Dismissed
Made well-timed challenge on substitute Pucciarelli at near post, but was shown a second yellow card for desperate lunge on Zielinski in closing stages on his first start in Serie A since 0-0 draw against Atalanta on Round 10.
Emiliano Moretti – 6.5 – Cynical
Also made a number of blocks as Toro defended deep and looked to play on counter, but was shown a yellow card for unceremoniously hacking down Verdi on edge of the box when nearly through on goal.
Matteo Darmian – 6 – Versatile
Torino captain for the evening was a threat cutting inside on either flank after switching to the left side following introduction of Bruno Peres in second half.
Alessandro Gazzi – 5 – Combative
Was shown a fifth yellow card of the season for tackle from behind on Maccarone after just serving a suspension last weekend against Palermo.
Omar El Kaddouri – 5 – Nullified
Belgian-born Morocco international had three assists in last two matches in all competitions, but was quiet before being replaced for Farnerud.
Cesare Bovo – 5.5 – Wasteful
Retained his place in midfield three from 5-1 Europa League win at Copenhagen, and provided a number of dangerous right foot deliveries from wide free kicks. Ballooned excellent chance over crossbar in second half.
Cristian Molinaro – 5.5 – Rampant
Former Italy international found plenty of space from left wing back during the first half, but was withdrawn for Peres after an hour.
Josef Martinez – 5.5 – Ascendant
Described by Tuttosport as the “heir to Ciro Immobile” after scoring three goals in his last two matches, and is becoming increasingly influential for Torino.
Fabio Quagliarella – 5 – Frustrated
Torino top scorer was caught offside on a number of occasions before being replaced for Amauri. His last goal in Serie A was in 1-0 against Udinese in Round 7.
Substitutes
Bruno Peres (63 mins) – 5.5 – Athletic
Summer signing from Santos was a potential threat on the break from right wing back, but his final delivery was inconsistent.
Amauri (71 mins) – 5.5 – Imposing
Summer signing from Parma brought on to hold up the ball on sixth substitute appearance so far this season.
Alexander Farnerud (80 mins) – N/A
