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Francesco Tavano scored against his former club as Livorno took the bragging rights in the Tuscan derby.
The Tuscan derby came at an odd time for both clubs, not least because it was a relegation six-pointer. Livorno were on a high after their shock win away to Torino, adding to an eight-match unbeaten run, but had Martin Bergvold and Giuliano Giannichedda injured along with the suspended Emanuele Filippini. Empoli knew they came so close to knocking Juventus out of the Coppa Italia midweek, only eliminated by a 5-3 scoreline, though Giuliano Giannichedda sat out a ban.
It was a special match for Francesco Tavano, who hit the big time with the Empoli jersey before poor spells at Valencia and Roma. This was only the third edition of this Serie A fixture and Empoli were yet to score at the Stadio Picchi.
Luca Saudati's header was off target, then Antonio Busce' failed to make the most of a Vittorio Tosto cross. Marianini redirected an Ighli Vannucchi free kick inches past the post.
The first real scoring opportunity came on 32 minutes, as Vannucchi's volleyed assist for Luca Saudati forced a great save out of Italian international goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
Daniele Balli punched a David Balleri cross off the head of Diego Tristan.
Straight after the restart Francesco Pratali dragged back Jose Luis Vidigal for penalty. Tavano lifted his spot-kick over Balli, who had guessed the right angle, and refused to celebrate against his former team as a sign of respect for his old fans and teammates.
Amelia bravely rushed out to smother Marianini's shot from point-blank range, picking up an injury as he did so. Empoli should have done better though, as Busce' and Marianini seemed to get in each others' way.
Tavano had penalty appeals for a Lino Marzoratti challenge waved away, but Amelia recovered from that earlier knock to fly with an acrobatic one-handed save on a Lino Marzoratti header.
Empoli went so close to an equaliser five minutes from time, Moro's deflected strike skimming the bar. Livorno should have scored a second in six minutes of stoppages, but selfishly fired straight at the goalkeeper rather than passing to the unmarked Erjon Bogdani.
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