|
Nine-man Empoli managed to snatch a last-gasp equaliser, as Lazio's crisis continues.
The Biancocelesti's 11-point Calciopoli penalty was cut to just three in CONI Arbitration, so a win would take them level with their Tuscan hosts. A result was sorely needed after picking up two points in their last four games, but Cristian Ledesma was suspended with Pasquale Foggia, Christian Manfredini and Valon Behrami carrying injuries. Empoli were without a victory in six rounds and faced former Castellani hero Tommaso Rocchi.
The home side threatened first with Sergio Almiron's long-range effort skimming the woodwork, but it was Lazio who took the lead against the run of play.
Goran Pandev sprung the offside trap thanks to Alberto Quadri's pass on the counter-attack just outside the centre-circle and kept his cool to stroke the finish past Daniele Balli.
Gigi Cagni changed his tactical system with attacking midfielder Davide Matteini for defender Stefano Lucchini, though it didn't seem to make too much difference to the game.
Sebastiano Siviglia's header hit the side-netting from a corner and Angelo Peruzzi acrobatically flew to pluck Antonio Busce's curling finish out of the air.
After the break Luca Saudati found himself surrounded by three defenders as he couldn't quite squeeze his shot through, while Raggi failed to get on the end of an Igli Vanucchi assist.
Lazio nearly doubled their lead with Pandev's turn and low strike to skim the base of the upright.
An ex-Empoli defender, Emilson Sanchez Cribari, was sent off for a second bookable offence, but both teams ended up in 10 men following Fabrizio Ficini's yellow card.
Empoli finished the match with nine players following Gasparetto's tackle from behind on Massimo Mutarelli. The substitute had only just come on five minutes earlier!
However, despite this situation, the home side managed to equalise with Vannucchi's screamer from 20 metres on the half-volley to slot into the near top corner.
It was a very odd game and Empoli nearly threw it all away in the final minute, as Busce' accidentally nodded the ball on to his own upright in a botched clearance.
| 
