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Gigi Cagni celebrated his Empoli comeback with a shock away victory, but David Di Michele was kicking himself after missing an open goal.
Cagni made his return to the Empoli bench after replacement Alberto Malesani was sacked, having picked up just one point in five rounds. He came back for a relegation six-pointer with a Toro side on the way back up after a morale-boosting 2-1 victory away to Catania. Vincenzo Grella sat out a ban for the home team, while Cagni dropped Under-21 sensation Sebastian Giovinco to the bench.
This has historically been a dour fixture with just five goals between them in four meetings. Alvaro Recoba had a great chance after four minutes with his left-foot volley from a Marco Motta cross bringing a crucial low save out of Daniele Balli at the near post.
Alessandro Rosina's looping header landed on the roof of the net, but the Granata should have scored soon after. Aimo Diana disposessed Vittorio Tosto and fired straight at the goalkeeper, then Roberto Stellone missed the follow-up.
Motta went closer than anyone on 32 minutes. A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box where Motta unleashed a spectacular volley that cannoned on to the crossbar.
The frame of the goal denied Torino again five minutes later, as this time one of Recoba's trademark left-foot free kicks cracked against the bar.
At the dawn of the second half Empoli almost took the lead, as Luca Saudati's header from an Antonio Busce' cross from the right skimmed the upright. Saudati should have scored, but incredibly scuffed the finish from Budel's assist with only Matteo Sereni to beat.
Stellone continued to be Toro's most dangerous player and battled admirably against the entire Empoli defence and goalkeeper Balli.
Ighli Vannucchi charged forward on a solo run and had his low drive deflected round the near post.
David Di Michele ran on to a long Eugenio Corini pass to force a corner out of Balli, then from the resulting corner Di Michele had penalty appeals waved away.
Di Michele incredibly failed to score four minutes from time. He went on the counter and managed to flick the ball up away from both the goalkeeper and last defender, but then incredibly nodded wide of a totally empty net!
That howler proved to be a devastating mistake. Less than 60 seconds later Vannucchi ran on to a Giovinco through ball and smashed a rising right-foot drive from nine yards to give Empoli the lead in Turin.
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