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Siena have dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with this crucial victory over their local rivals.
This Tuscan derby had a great deal at stake. Empoli needed only a few points to secure their UEFA Cup place, while Siena were in the depths of the relegation zone and had to do without the suspended Valerio Bertotto, Alberto, Luca Antonini and Daniele Corvia. The visitors were also hit by the Disciplinary Commission sidelining Sergio Almiron and Davide Moro.
At least the Bianconeri could look to their record, having beaten Empoli in both their previous Serie A visits to the Stadio Franchi, scoring five goals and conceding none.
Siena took first blood after 12 minutes with defender Daniele Portanova's second goal of the season. A free kick found Portanova completely unmarked for a glancing free header from six yards that slotted into the far bottom corner.
They had no intention of battening down the hatches and had several more chances in a single move. Mario Frick's solo run dropped Ascoli and was parried by Bassi, but then Galloppa's follow-up was deflected on to the upright by an arm.
Brevi ballooned over from a promising position and Empoli's hopes of getting back into the game were hit by Richard Vanigli's silly two bookings in the space of nine minutes, leaving the visitors with 10 men.
Before the break Siena threatened a second goal in similar circumstances to the first, as again Portanova was allowed a header on Galloppa's set-piece.
The home side continued to push and Vittorio Tosto required a goalline clearance to deny Simone Vergassola.
The points were finally put under lock and key in stoppages by former Empoli hero Massimo Maccarone, who placed a low drive beneath the goalkeeper's body on the counter.
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