Livorno 1 – Empoli 0, Winning Without Convincing

By: Marco Stucazzo | January 21st, 2008

I just love Serie A! Every team in this league is competitive. It’s one of the best leagues in the world because even the smaller teams have talented players that can give the big boys a lot of headaches. Just ask Palermo, Juve and Inter , the so called little teams gave them a run for their money this week. Even Livorno took away 3 points from World Beaters Empoli on Sunday !

Francesco Tavano slotted home a penalty in the 51st minute to give la squadra labronica their second home win of the season. Francesco Pratali stupidly pushed Davide Balleri down on a corner and the ref awarded a legitimate rigore to Livorno. Empoli keeper Balli guessed right but couldn’t steer the ball away from the goal. Ciccio Tavano’s 9th this season. 1-0 after 50 minutes and that’s how it stayed. Empoli had some great chances but Marco Amelia was in great form.

Verbal recap here

Audio-Visual recap a.k.a. highlights

LIVORNO - EMPOLI 1-0

LIVORNO (3-5-2)
Amelia ;
Grandoni , Knezevic , Galante ,
Balleri , Loviso , (59’ A.Filippini ) Vidigal , De Vezze , Pasquale

Tavano (95’Diamanti), Tristan (73’Bogdani)

Bench: De Lucia, Alvarez, Rezaei, Pavan.

Coach :Giancarlo Camolese

EMPOLI (4-3-2-1) Balli , Raggi , (62’Abate ), Marzoratti , Pratali , Tosto , Marianini (84’Budel ), Moro , Buscè , Vannucchi (64’Pozzi ), Giovinco , Saudati

Bench : Bassi, Piccolo, Vanigli, Antonini.

Coach: Alberto Malesani

I want to be all fired up about his 9 game non-losing streak but yesterday’s game was quite un-entertaining, unless you love to see a 9 man defence working in unison. Empoli looked like the most dangerous team. The Alberto Malesani led squad deserved at least 1 point for this one, a lot like Parma didn’t deserve a loss against Inter. The Livorno – Empoli game didn’t garner as many exciting goals but at least, the game wasn’t marred by controversies.

Marco Amelia was by far the best player on the field yesterday, he prevented at least 3 ‘’sure’’ goals. Empoli put in 18 shots, but only 6 on goal. If Alfonso De Lucia was between the sticks, Empoli would have surely gone home with all 3 points on Sunday. (on the other hand, if Diamanti had passed that ball…) The Azzurri #2 was stopping everything, close range, long range, even deflections! I’m wondering if Christian Abbiati’s comments motivated the youngster…

For those who don’t know, Abbiati lashed out in the press at Amelia this week. The ex-rossoneri keeper claimed that the only reason Amelia was GiGi Buffon’s backup is because he’s better than he is ’’outside of the pitch’’, whatever the hell that means. The Athletico Madrid second choice keeper wen’t on to add that he was way better than Marco Amelia. The Livorno fans thank you for your motivating words Mr. Bitter…

Yes Francesco Tavano scored a penalty, but Livorno’s defense won the Empoli game all alone. With displays like yesterday, I’m just wondering where Livorno would stand in the table had Giancarlo Camolese started the season as Coach. The defensive side was so solid, compact and effective that Marco Amelia and Fabio Galante made Goal.com’s team of the week

The Knezevic-Galante-Grandoni 3 man defensive system has been working like a well oiled machine for the last 10 games now. However, one thing Livorno is clearly lacking is a decent link between midfield and offense. Daniele De Vezze and Martin Bergvold (out for 3 months now) have always done their best in this department but they’re missing that extra touch of class to be decisive. Jose Vidigal’s return to form couldn’t have come at a better time, but Massimo Loviso demonstrated yesterday why the Labronici need to add some adequate midfield depth . Sam Dalla Bona’s name has been flying around , and he’s , at least, one step above Loviso in terms of talent. Unfortunately, Aldo Spinelli has said that Sammy is too expensive…Cheap Bastard!

* 83 years ago Lenin Died, Ciao Comrade !