Empoli ran out 2-1 winners over Lazio in a decisive display at the Stadio Castellani in Serie A on Sunday.
In a first-half where the visitors squandered the best chances, Empoli scored through a quick-fire double from Federico Barba’s header and Massimo Maccarone’s volley early in the second period. Lazio came back into the game with Filip Djordjevic’s cushioned header, but struggled to break down the impressive Azzurri, who earned three valuable points.
Both sides were happy to sit back early on, and Empoli’s early chances were restricted to set-pieces as Maccarone hit the wall and fired wide from consecutive free-kicks.
Fast-paced counters were becoming the order of the day as Antonio Candreva latched onto a direct lob to volley powerfully across goal and go inches wide.
The same fate befell striker Djordjevic, the Serb’s 10th minute bullet header flashed wide from Senad Lulic’s perfectly flighted cross.
Creating chances freely in this period of pressure, the best Aquile opportunity saw Marco Parolo half-volley wide when unmarked on the penalty spot.
On the 26th minute, a quick break and slick through-ball from Piotr Zielinksi found Maccarone one-on-one with visiting goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, but the veteran forward struck a stinging effort into the side netting.
Becoing frustrated as the game slowed down, the home fans were upset as Cavanda’s tangle with Maccarone inside the Lazio box was deemed fair- the right-back was eventually booked minutes later for a cynical trip.
The second half was only five minutes old before young defender Barba put the hosts in front, arguably against the run of play. Meeting a Mirko Valdifiori corner and beating Michael Ciani to the header, which looped into the far corner and set Empoli on their way.
It took just three minutes for the home advantage to be doubled as Maccarone latched onto a smart free-kick routine to outwit Claudio Lotito’s side and volley past Berisha.
The hosts had a comfortable lead but showed no sign of sitting deep for the remaining half an hour, and were punished as Candreva’s looping cross found Djordjevic’s head to put Lazio back in the game with just over 20 minutes left.
Maurizio Sarri’s men still focussed on increasing their lead rather than holding it, with attack proving the best form of defence as Lazio faltered and introduced Miroslav Klose to wrestle a draw.
However, it was defender Ciani who gained a great chance of equalising late on, but Daniele Rugani cleared as the 30-year-old pounced on a Candreva cross that flew through the six-yard-box.
The Biancocelesti penned the home team into their own area in the dying moments, but the chances had dried up and Empoli took three deserved points.
