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Empoli have beaten Palermo in both their meetings this season and a Sergio Almiron goal proved enough in Sicily.
The Rosanero were unable to truly celebrate last Friday's 2-1 win at Catania, as rioting outside the stadium by the home fans saw a police officer killed. Mark Bresciano faced the side he started his Italian career with in 1999-00, playing at Empoli for three seasons.
David Di Michele stung Daniele Balli's palms with a fierce strike, then was halted clear on goal for a debatable offside decision.
Balli had his palms stung by a Mark Bresciano left-foot effort, then Giuseppe Biava's glancing header was just wide from an Eugenio Corini free kick.
The Stadio Barbera got a shock, as within 70 seconds of the restart Empoli took the lead. Sergio Almiron flung himself at Vittorio Tosto's cross from six yards, anticipating Andrea Barzagli to the ball.
Di Michele wasted a golden opportunity to equalise on 78 minutes, as he hooked down a cross to anticipate Raggi and the angled drive with the inside of his left foot struck the far post.
Empoli also rattled the frame of the goal, as Davide Matteini's impressive curler was fingertipped on to the bar.
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