Empoli 2-1 Livorno, Highlights of our 1st loss of the Serie B Season

By: Marco Stucazzo | October 7th, 2008

We deserved better! Unfortunately, this umpteenth Tuscan Derby resulted in the 1st loss of the season for our favorite Amaranto squad. Livorno lost 2-1 to Empoli on Monday night remaining at a total of 8 points in the standings. Unfortunately, we didn’t deserve to lose this one. Tavano managed to kick it staright on Empoli Keeper Bassi after earning a well deserved Rigore moments before and Aleandro Rosi saw his last minute goal disallowed for a sketchy Offside. Livorno managed to control the game well. We went up a goal early when Candreva deflected a Tavano shot in the area but Empoli came right back when Livorno’S defense forgot their marker on a rebound.1-1 Then 32 year old Antonio Buscè’s beautiful goal or Alfonso De Lucia’s woeful anticipation skills, whatever you prefer, denied Livorno at least a point. All in all this game definitely feels like a win ; we played great and open all through the game and we’re seeing some very positive things from the youngsters.

EMPOLI-LIVORNO 2-1

RETI: 4’ Candreva (L), 40’ Corvia (E), 73’ Buscè (E)

EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Bassi 7; Piccolo 6, Cupi 6 (68’ Marzoratti 6), Buscè 6,5, Tosto 6; Valdifiori 5,5 (83’ Marianini sv), Vargas 6 , Lodi 5,5; Vannucchi 5,5; Pasquato 6,5 (75’ Moro 6), Corvia 6,5. A disposizione: Dossena, Arcidiacono, Bianco, Negrini. All.: Baldini 6,5

LIVORNO (4-3-3): De Lucia 6; Rosi 6,5, Bonetto 6, Miglionico 6, Grandoni 6,5; Loviso 5,5 Candreva 6,5, Pulzetti 5,5; Tavano 5,5, Diamanti 6 (66’ Volpe 5,5), Paulinho 6 (75’ Danilevicius 6).
A disposizione: Mazzoni, Perticone, E.Filippini, Rizza. All.: Acori 6

Random unorganized thoughts ;

After sucking for 4 games straight, Tavano looked like a Serie A player again. Although Ciccio stupidly missed what would have probably been the game winning penalty, his movement upfront all game caused some Empolese headaches. Tavano scored 43 goals in 3 years at Empoli, he should be ripping Serie B up right now !

Diamanti has the skills and let me pun this hardcore here by saying he needs some serious polishing. He’s shown he has the talent to play professional ball well but Alè needs to work on his decision-making; He makes Cristiano Ronaldo look like an altruist!

Defence has been solid all year and a part from the 2 mental lapses in Empoli ; Grandoni and Miglionico are a solid pair. Rosi and Bonetto are solid on the wings.

Alfonso De Lucia is shaky on long-range shots. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not expecting someone to fill those Marco Amelia boots but De Lucia needs to work on catching the ball or at least steering it away safely from goal. His positioning is good and his reflexes are top notch but he always gives up a dangerous rebound. I remember him in his Parma days and that was exactly his problem. Other than that, he’s a decent GK

At least the kids are showing signs of rapid progression; Aleandro Rosi has shaken off his mediocre start and has been playing solidly. U21 striker Candreva broke his duck and is showing some good things and so is Volpe.

I think the main problem is the Lone striker position. Acori’s a fervent fan of the Christmas tree formation but Danilevicius is not the answer up top. I hate to say it, but this system would be perfect for Lucarelli with support from Diamanti and Tavano. Livorno needs to find a big man fast. Igor Budan isn’t playing all that much for Palermo…

Forza Labronici !