Empoli 0-0 Bologna: The Azzurri are held at home by the Rossoblu

Date: 1st May 2016 at 5:00pm
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Empoli FC v Bologna FC - Serie AEmpoli and Bologna drew 0-0 at the Stadio Castellani in Serie A on Sunday afternoon in a typical end of season clash.

The game started slowly, with both teams lacking real motivation to get going and the first half ended without either goalkeeper being tested while the second half told a similar story.

The sun was the protagonist at the start of the game, with both sides starting very slowly because of their lack of motivation and the intense heat.

Empoli started brightly in the first 20 minutes and looked the most likely to find the lead, but were unable to find the elusive opener.

On 31 minutes, though, Marco Giampaolo’s men had the chance to take the lead, with Piotr Zielinksi going one on one against Antonio Mirante, but clumsily failed to beat the onrushing goalkeeper.

The game picked up momentum as both sides started displaying good sequences of football, but were equally slow when it came to hitting the target.

The second half started with more flair, and on 53 minutes Riccardo Saponara showed all his class, but his shot was stopped by Adam Masina.

Empoli seemed to want the win more and took control of ball possession as the game wore on.

The most important decision came on 64 minutes, with Daniele Croce found the net before the referee disallowed the goal for a correct offside flag. During the same attack, Empoli were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty which left the home side protesting for a considerable amount of time.

That could have been the lead Empoli desired, and it made the players nervous, with some avoidable fouls and several protests against the referee from both sides, despite the game still without a caution with 15 minutes remaining.

On 81 minutes it was Empoli again going close to finding the opener, with Zielinski setting up the chance for Saponara, and the number five firing powerfully towards goal but missing the target.

The first booking came on 86 minutes, with Marios Oikonomou going in the referees notebook.

Not much happened after, with a predictable lack of motivation taking over the two teams and the game ending in a goalless draw.

 

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