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Fiorentina wasted a truckload of scoring opportunities, but still beat fourth-placed Empoli in this local derby.
The season ticket holders were let in to the Stadio Franchi for this local clash between two sides hoping for a place in Europe. The Viola are fighting back from their 15-point Calciopoli penalty, while Empoli have been a revelation in fourth. Luca Toni returned to fitness, but Vittorio Tosto was suspended for the visitors.
This tie last ended in a draw in 1988, followed by one away win and two straight home victories.
Sebastien Frey had his palms stung by a Stefano Lucchini missile from outside the area, as a corner kick was only cleared as far as the Empoli defender.
Fabio Liverani took advantage of a defensive mix-up to have his shot smothered by Daniele Balli, then Adrian Mutu fought back two markers to drill inches wide from the edge of the area.
Mutu hit the back of the net on 27 minutes. Francesco Pratali took the ball off Toni's head, but Mutu pounced for an instinctive side-foot lob over a helpless Balli. The Romanian celebrated by bowing to the Curva Fiesole fans.
Francesco Pratali almost turned a corner into his own net, while Martin Jorgensen's cutback was inches away from Toni's foot in front of an open goal.
On the stroke of half-time, Toni at full stretch volleyed a Liverani cross at the goalkeeper and Jorgensen put the follow-up wide from six yards. There were penalty appeals in stoppages for a handling offence.
Toni really should have made it 2-0 60 seconds after the restart when he ran on to Riccardo Montolivo's through ball, but he somehow toe-poked it wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Fiorentina dominated, but continued to waste endless scoring opportunities with Montolivo, Mutu and Jorgensen hitting the side-netting when he perhaps should have set up Toni.
Toni was the worst offender, but even he couldn't miss 15 minutes from time when Jorgensen threaded through for Manuel Pasqual and rolled across for him to tap in from six yards. The goalkeeper had already been left behind by the quick movement of the ball.
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