Player Ratings: Fiorentina 1-1 Empoli

Date: 21st December 2014 at 5:20pm
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Fiorentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Empoli in the fifteenth meeting between the Tuscan clubs in Serie A.

Both sides wanted to end 2014 on a high but they had to settle for a point each. Juan Manuel Vargas thundered his shot past Luigi Sepe in the first half, before Lorenzo Tonelli equalised from a corner to restore parity.

The match was marked by two clear handball offenses from Empoli defenders Daniele Rugani and Tonelli which weren’t seen by the officials. The game ended on a sour note as both teams engaged in angry protestations.

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Fiorentina

Neto – 6.5 – Blameless

Made his first save after half an hour when Maccarone blasted the ball into his chest. Had been barely tested when Tonelli thumped his header past the Brazilian. Had a series of vital saves including a vital stop when Croce was unmarked in the area.

Stefan Savic – 6.5 – Clumsy

Strong in his early defending and proved difficult to deal with in the area. Late in his effort to mark Tonelli from the corner. Cleared the ball off the line heroically to deny Maccarone.

Gonzalo Rodriguez – 6.5 – Solid

Intercepted Tavano after the striker made a promising run down the wing. Marshaled the Empoli defenders well but had less of an influence then in recent matches; particularly in comparison to Savic.

Jose Maria Basanta – 6 – Nervous

A moment of hesitancy could have handed the away side the lead, but he recovered well. Made a terrible error of judgement when his back pass was intercepted by Tavano, fortunate to see the striker drag his shot wide. Played out the rest of the game without incident.

Juan Cuadrado – 6.5 – Dangerous

Looked eager to run in behind the Empoli defenders. Came close to sneaking in his early shot but Sepe denied him. Grew increasingly frustrated with Tonelli. Continued to cause Sepe innumerable problems with his powerful shots.

Mati Fernandez – 6.5 – Bright

Had his early effort closed down in the area by Tonelli. Sent in a wonderful curling shot but Sepe plucked it out of the air with ease. Credited with the assist having heading the ball into the path of Vargas. Created an excellent opportunity for Gomez to score but the striker missed. Sent his volley over Sepe’s goal much to his frustration.

David Pizarro – 6.5 – Reliable

Calm and collected in possession, grew in stature as Valero’s influence on the game became less evident. Yellow card in extra time.

Borja Valero – 5.5 – Flop

Had an early effort that sailed wide of Sepe’s goal. Should have put the home side in front from a corner, but managed to direct his header over the bar from point-blank range. Showed some neat touches but was largely ineffective in breaking down the Empoli defence. Involved in a late tussle with Valdifiori and picked up a yellow card for his frustration.

Juan Manuel Vargas – 7 – Heroic

Responsible for much of Fiorentina’s early attacking moves. Sent in teasing crosses at the byline on several occasions, but made the biggest impact just before half time. Picked up the ball outside the box and half-volleyed it low into the bottom corner, little Sepe could have done. Made an excellent cross for Gomez in the second half but the German could only hit the post.

Joaquin – 6 – Tricky

Lifted his first chance just over the crossbar from the edge of the area, kept the pressure on the Empoli defenders until he was replaced by Aquilani in the second half.

Mario Gomez – 5.5 – Unlucky

Tried to get the measure of his opponents early on, but barely touched the ball in the first half. Managed to guide a header on target but Sepe beat the ball away. Hit the post after ninety seconds into the second half. Made a complete hash of a ball that Fernandez fed him.

Substitutes

Alberto Aquilani – 6 – Influential

Brought on for Joaquin in an effort to add creativity to the attack. Made a few teasing passes but it was all too little too late for Fiorentina. Picked up a late booking as the match began to descend into chaos.

Mounir El Hamdaoui – N/A

Brought on late for Gomez to find the winner. Managed to pick up a booking for a high foot in the box.

Marcos Alonso – N/A

Replaced Vargas to introduce a fresh pair of legs.

Empoli

Luigi Sepe – 7 – Faultless

A little slow to respond to Fiorentina’s lobbed passes in behind. Made an excellent save with one hand to deny Cuadrado from range. Made another excellent save when he readjusted his footing to whisk Gomez’s shot away. Couldn’t do anything to prevent Vargas from scoring. Made another vital save to tip Cuadrado’s shot over the bar. Rose to the occasion for the away side.

Elseid Hysaj – 6- Timid

Tried to make an influence in attacking moves but was preoccupied marking both Vargas and Cuadrado. Allowed the Peruvian to get his crosses in far too frequently.

Daniele Rugani – 6 – Lucky

Combined well with his defensive partner and matches the Fiorentina strikers stride for stride. Guilty of handling the ball in the area from a Joaquin cross, but the officials didn’t spot it. Struggled to deal with Fernandez as the match dragged on.

Lorenzo Tonelli – 7 – Inspired

Was alert to the early danger of Fiorentina’s attackers, tracked Cuadrado well enough and made a vital block on Fernandez’s shot in the box. Confident enough to play the ball out of the back. Bagged his forth of the season from a corner, beating Savic to the ball to equalise. Ball struck his arm in the box late in the match but once again was not seen by the referee.

Mario Rui – 6.5 – Tireless

Switched play to keep the momentum going and trouble the Fiorentina defenders. Had a degree of difficulty dealing with Joaquin’s pace and trickery. Bombed forward in the second half and tried to influence the attack.

Daniele Croce – 6 – Average

Spent a lot of the game clearing the ball away from the danger area. Nearly put the away side in front but Neto denied him.

Mirko Valdifiori – 6 – Creator

Continues to be the creative outlet for Empoli, but his decision not to header the ball before the first half whistle allowed Vargas to score. Had some consolation when Tonelli blasted home his corner kick. Shown a yellow card for an altercation with Valero.

Franco Signorelli – 6 – Powerhouse

Made a poor challenge on Cuadrado outside the area just before half time, but otherwise had a solid half. Worked desperately hard to keep Fiorentina from gaining any advantage in the midfield.

Simone Verdi – 5.5 – Poor

Fed the ball in the area after half an hour, but Savic shut him out immediately. Struggled to get involved in the Empoli attack and was eventually replaced by Zielinski.

Francesco Tavano – 5.5 – Wasteful

Missed one of the best chances of the half, latching onto a poor pass by Basanta but dragged his shot wide, missed yet another when his shot fizzed past the near post. Replaced on the hour mark by Pucciarelli.

Massimo Maccarone – 6 – Slow

Picked up an unnecessary booking when he collided with Basanta. Nearly put his side in front but Neto was alive to the danger, tried to force the ball over the line but Savic cleared off the line. Replaced by Mchedlidze.

Substitutes

Piotr Zielinski – 6 – Spirited

Replaced Verdi in the second half as the Italian had been ineffective. Had more of an influence in attack but wasn’t always on the same wave length.

Manuel Pucciarelli – 6 – Involved

Came on for Tavano and was instantly involved in attack. Directed his first shot on target but was called offside. Yellow carded for a violent reaction to a foul.

Levan Mchedlidze – N/A

Took the place of the tiring Maccarone.

 

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