Empoli came from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over ten-man Udinese in Saturday evening’s Serie A match at the Stadio Friuli.
Duvan Zapata’s header put Udinese ahead, but Leandro Paredes equalised before Panagiotis Kone was dismissed for the hosts, and Massimo Maccarone lashed home a dramatic winner for the Azzurri in stoppage time.
The Zebrette started with more impetus, with Ali Adnan Kadhim and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu looking dangerous on the flanks, and it was this avenue that led to the opening goal when Antonio Di Natale’s deft cross was turned in thanks to Zapata’s rocket header, his first goal for the club.
With the hosts buoyant, the next chance fell to Di Natale, whose lob from a tight angle dropped just wide of the post.
Empoli target-man, Massimo Maccarone, cut a frustrated figure in the early going but the former Siena man looked to have earned a penalty before half-time when he was brought down by Orestis Karnezis , but his theatrical fall saw him booked for simulation.
The Azzurri returned from the break invigorated, with Riccardo Saponara’s forceful run drawing a fingertip save from Karnezis.
Maccarone’s frustrating evening continued as he lashed a loose ball into the net after a goal-mouth scramble only to see his strike chalked off for offside.
Shortly afterwards, Panagiotis Kone was sent off after collecting a second yellow card and Leandro Paredes punished the home side almost immediately, stroking a low shot home from the edge of the penalty area to draw Empoli deservedly level.
As both sides pushed forward looking for a late winner, Maccarone was finally rewarded for his efforts deep into injury time.
The former Middlesbrough forward found space in the penalty area and smashed in the winning goal for the Tuscans.
The draw lifts Udinese to 11th place in Serie A, while Empoli leap-frog Juventus into 16th ahead of the weekend’s remaining fixtures.
