Player Ratings: Empoli 1-2 Udinese

Date: 26th January 2015 at 10:45pm
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Udinese triumphed 2-1 at Empoli on Monday evening in Serie A.

Goals from Antonio Di Natale and Silvan Widmer overcoming Riccardo Saponara’s penalty for the Azzurri.

How did the two teams fare? Di we get our ratings right?

Empoli

Sepe – 6.5 – Unfortunate

Could only look skyward as Widmer’s effort flew over his head, the defining image of the game will be Empoli’s stopper looking gormless; harsh after an otherwise decent performance.

Hysaj – 5.5 – Thwarted

Empoli’s full backs struggled to get into the game and as such, Hysaj drifted through the defeat fairly anonymously.

Rui – 6 – Advanced

The right back did better than the ball than without it, covering the flank with his energy and contributing some quality crosses for his side.

Rugani – 6 – Reliable

The youngster is a class act and seldom looks out of place in Serie A. Acquitted himself well at both ends and has done nothing to diminish his reputation

Tonelli – 5.5 – Blessing

A disappointing evening that saw him lose Di Natale to allow the veteran to open the scoring before succumbing to an injury that forced him to leave the field. Was not particularly missed.

Valdifiori – 5.5 – Shackled

The lynchpin of Empoli’s side enjoyed a difficult evening, finding both Kone and Thereau in his way often, preventing him finding his usual rhythm and tempo. His team suffered as a result.

Saponara – 6.5 – Prodigal

Marked his third Empoli debut with a goal and was the home side’s standout player throughout; his traditional energetic and busy self.

Pucciarelli – 5.5 – Possible

While in the first half, he looked as though he might make the best of a couple of chances that came his way, he faded rather badly after the break.

Croce – 6 – Energetic

Tried his best to prompt attacks, but was unable to exert any authority on an Udinedse team that always looked superior.

Mchedlidze – 5.5 – Adrift

Was unable to produce anything in the hour he played, and equally failed to pose any threat. A disappointment.

Substitutes

Verdi – 6 – Green

The wideman looked vigorous, but failed to match his enthusiasm with quality, though he was not alone amongst his teammates in that..

Barba – 6 – Improvement

Kept Di Natale relatively quiet and represented an upgrade from Tonelli.

Maccarone – 5.5 – Silent

An unsurprisingly quiet evening for the veteran who was given precious little service and did precious little with that he did get.

Udinese

Karnezis – 6.5 – Blameless

Could not be faulted after Saponara’s goal and acquitted himself well otherwise in a fairly quiet evening.

Heurtaux – 6.5 – Untroubled

The Frenchman was more than equal to the threat of Empoli’s attack and dealt with them easily.

Danilo – 6.5 – Blamed

Conceded the penalty mored through misfortune than bad play and otherwise had the better of his opponents.

Piris – 6 – Unusual

Found himself at right centre back but was a more than adequate deputy in the role, his versatility proving winner again.

Widmer – 6.5 – Blinding

Scored a fortunate winner which will overshadow another fine defensive performance from

Allan – 7 – Inspirational

By far the best player on the field, Allan was forever available for a pass and was industrious and inventive in possession.

Guilherme – 6 – Building

Was overrun a little early on but recovered well and put in a tidy enough showing as the game progressed.

Kone – 6 – Spoiled

The Greek’s pace and skill were a focal point of the Zebrette’s counterattacking but rather blotted his copy book with two yellow cards and, thus, a red.

Pasquale – 6.5 – Spray

Dominated the left hand side of the field with a livewire display both forward and back.

Thereau – 6.5 – Sacrifice

Did a wonderful job for his team nullifying the threat of Valdifiori, as well as contributing some creation himself. Admirable display.

Di Natale – 6 – Clinical

Had one clear chance and took it. No surprise from such a master finisher.

Substitutes

Fernandes – N/A

Hallberg – N/A

 

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