Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by FISO |
Match Report
Match Report
A few clouds cover the sky here at Stadio Comunale where Pistoiese play host to Empoli. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Both Pistoiese and Empoli are lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Gianmarco Aldegani.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Both Pistoiese and Empoli are lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Gianmarco Aldegani.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Pistoiese get the match underway!
3.02
0-0Arek Rzasa breaks forward. Arek Rzasa flicks a high pass forward to David Watson who brings the ball under control. David Watson sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. Magnificent save by Ramiro Johnson!
8.54
0-0Arek Rzasa clumsily knocks into Gabriel Medina. Arek Rzasa is given a warning by the referee! Gabriel Medina stretches but gets up unharmed.
8.54
0-0Free kick to Empoli just outside the area...
12.15
0-1Kaci Sibierski slowly runs up and strikes the ball directly at the wall. The ball somehow squirms its way through. Fouzi Bouchiba is stood helpless as the ball is deflected into the back of the net - goal!!
15.57
0-1Marcelo Lima hacks Gabriel Medina from behind! Marcelo Lima is shown the yellow card! Gabriel Medina runs off the knock.
16.08
0-1Marcelo Lima makes a beautiful pass to the feet of David Watson. David Watson controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
27.01
Jorge Rego pushes mid-way up the pitch. Jorge Rego chips the ball to his team mate, David Watson. David Watson whips in a cross ball towards Erwan Billong. Erwan Billong whips the ball goalwards with his head which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
30.33
Francis Scales flicks a high pass forward. Neil Gallagher collects the pass. Neil Gallagher knocks in a cross ball towards David Watson. David Watson powers a header at goal but slams it into the crowd!
34.36
1-1Neil Gallagher makes a simple pass to David Watson. David Watson knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Geoffroy Visieux.
42.47
Muzzy Özalan flicks a high ball forward to Stuart White who takes it down. Stuart White makes a beautiful solo run. Stuart White knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Marcelo Lima.
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Pistoiese appear unchanged since the first half. Empoli also appear unchanged since the first half. The Pistoiese players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
The whistle blows and Empoli kick off!
47.58
Muzzy Özalan threads a neat ball through to Geoffroy Visieux. Geoffroy Visieux deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Gabriel Medina. Gabriel Medina shoots from 20 yards but it's a lousy effort!
48.41
Francis Scales passes the ball forward to Neil Gallagher. Neil Gallagher lofts in a cross ball towards David Watson. David Watson connects with a diving header. The ball takes a deflection leaving Ramiro Johnson with no chance!! Goal for Pistoiese!
51.34
Jerome van der Wal laces a through ball forward to Neil Gallagher. Neil Gallagher lofts in a cross ball towards Francis Scales. Francis Scales beats his man to it with a header but Ramiro Johnson is on top of it.
54.12
Francis Scales clumsily knocks into Shaun Delaney. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Shaun Delaney runs off the knock.
55.16
Paulo Carvalho flicks a high pass forward to Wataru Nakata who brings the ball neatly under control. Wataru Nakata runs straight at the opposition's defence. Wataru Nakata edges inside the box! Wataru Nakata takes a shot at goal. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!
59.01
Arek Rzasa arcs the ball upfield. Neil Gallagher plays a quick one-two with Jerome van der Wal and rushes in on goal... Neil Gallagher rockets a shot on goal. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!
63.10
Erwan Billong threads a neat ball through to Francis Scales. Francis Scales knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Muzzy Özalan.
65.30
3-2Francis Scales makes a beautiful pass to the feet of David Watson. David Watson lofts in a cross ball towards Nigel Pearce. Nigel Pearce jumps high and flicks the ball with his head. Muzzy Özalan clears it off the line with his head!
66.29
Marcelo Lima makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Erwan Billong. Erwan Billong hits a low pass to Neil Gallagher. Neil Gallagher whips in a cross ball towards Nigel Pearce. Nigel Pearce is unmarked! He powers a header at goal but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
67.09
Shaun Delaney sees Wataru Nakata in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Wataru Nakata deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Bruno Monteiro. Bruno Monteiro whips in a cross ball towards Stuart White. Stuart White gets a glancing touch on the cross ball but it flies just wide!
69.23
With a delightful solo run, Paulo Carvalho stretches the opposition's defence. Paulo Carvalho sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The keeper is more than a match for it. Superb keeping!
71.00
Muzzy Özalan comes in with a late challenge on Erwan Billong. The referee calls over Muzzy Özalan and warns him to calm down! Erwan Billong stretches but gets up unharmed.
72.10
Marcelo Lima flicks a high pass forward. Francis Scales controls it well on his chest. Francis Scales makes a simple pass to Jerome van der Wal. Jerome van der Wal shoots from 25 yards. Ramiro Johnson easily gets down and covers it.
73.49
Wataru Nakata barges into Jerome van der Wal. The referee calls over Wataru Nakata and shows him a yellow card! Jerome van der Wal hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
79.56
Erwan Billong kicks a strong pass forward to Neil Gallagher. Neil Gallagher knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Muzzy Özalan.
84.58
Paulo Carvalho flicks the ball to his team mate, Marco Boinaheri. Marco Boinaheri lofts in a cross ball towards Gabriel Medina. Gabriel Medina directs the ball goalwards with his head. The ball edges inside the post - goal!! That brings them back into the game!
87.14
Erwan Billong comes in with a late challenge on Paulo Carvalho. The referee calls over Erwan Billong and shows him a yellow card! Paulo Carvalho hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
90.00
Arek Rzasa controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Marcelo Lima. Marcelo Lima controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Neil Gallagher. Neil Gallagher knocks in a cross ball towards David Watson. David Watson whips the ball goalwards with his head but Ramiro Johnson is on top of it.
90.00
The referee blows for full-time
Match Statistics
Match Statistics
Goals
Shots on Target
Shots off Target
Offsides
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Possession
Play Area
Scorers
Match Ratings
Match Ratings
1. Fouzi Bouchiba (GK)
6
2. Jorge Rego (DEF)
6
3. Marcelo Lima (DEF)
6
4. Arek Rzasa (DEF)
6
5. Francisco Moutinho (DEF)
6
6. Francis Scales (MID)
6
7. Jerome van der Wal (MID)
6
8. Erwan Billong (MID)
7
9. Nigel Pearce (ATT)
6
10. Neil Gallagher (ATT)
9
11. David Watson (ATT)
9
12. Eduardo Quaresma (DEF)
0
13. Pedro Almeida (DEF)
0
14. Samuel Vieira (ATT)
0
1. Ramiro Johnson (GK)
7
2. Paulo Carvalho (DEF)
7
3. Muzzy Özalan (DEF)
7
4. Shaun Delaney (DEF)
6
5. Geoffroy Visieux (DEF)
6
6. Kaci Sibierski (MID)
6
7. Wataru Nakata (MID)
8
8. Stuart White (MID)
6
9. Gabriel Medina (ATT)
7
10. Bruno Monteiro (ATT)
6
11. Marco Boinaheri (ATT)
6
12. Don Hendry (ATT)
0
13. Jeroen Hesp (ATT)
0
14. Michele De Gasperi (ATT)
0