Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Dilbert |
Match Report
Match Report
There are a few clouds overhead here at Stadio C. Castellani where Empoli play host to Messina. A crowd of 18,724 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
Empoli are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Messina appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Empoli are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Messina appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
0.00
0-0Messina start the match!
2.28
1-0Alfred King knocks the ball forward to Christian Bordoni. Christian Bordoni controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Mathias Jonquet. Mathias Jonquet lofts in a cross ball towards Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
9.29
1-0Amedeo Ghirardello makes a probing pass to Alain Koutouan. Alain Koutouan controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi shoots from 25 yards but somehow Eddie Lumsdon manages to keep it out.
10.34
1-0Hrafn Bergvinsson makes a simple pass to Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
12.44
Gennaro Bia threads the ball through to Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Linus Jentsch.
15.59
Christian Bordoni knocks the ball forward to Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico knocks in a cross ball towards Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander heads the ball goalwards. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Vesa Polviander!
20.25
2-0Felice Delpiano makes a simple pass to Hrafn Bergvinsson. Hrafn Bergvinsson knocks the ball to his team mate, Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico shoots from 25 yards but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
22.51
P. Gilberto Porchia decides to run forward with the ball. P. Gilberto Porchia finds some space and shoots from distance but somehow Eddie Lumsdon manages to keep it out.
24.47
P. Gilberto Porchia chips the ball to his team mate, Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi finds some space and shoots from distance but somehow Eddie Lumsdon manages to keep it out.
26.16
Damien Smith kicks a strong pass forward to Gennaro Bia. Gennaro Bia makes a simple pass to Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico lofts in a cross ball towards Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander directs the ball goalwards with his head but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
32.43
Gennaro Bia knocks the ball forward to Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
33.45
P. Gilberto Porchia takes it forward alone. P. Gilberto Porchia shoots from 25 yards. The ball comes in low, but Eddie Lumsdon easily smothers it!
34.00
Maurizio Armellini chips the ball to his team mate, Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi tries a spectacular long range effort but Eddie Lumsdon is on top of it.
38.54
Gennaro Bia sees a break and surges forward. Gennaro Bia knocks in a cross ball towards Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander flicks the ball with his head. Sidney Ray easily smothers it.
40.31
Pier G. Perrotta controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi shoots from long range but it goes wide for a goal kick.
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!
45.00
Empoli start the second half!
49.32
Damien Smith knocks the ball to his team mate, Christian Bordoni. Christian Bordoni controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico finds some space and shoots from distance. It's miles wide!
53.15
2-0Empoli are keeping most of the possession at the moment but are so far unable to make the most of it.
60.07
P. Gilberto Porchia passes the ball forward to Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal but connects badly, narrowly missing the linesman!
61.08
2-0Hrafn Bergvinsson comes in with a late challenge on Alain Koutouan. The referee calls over Hrafn Bergvinsson and warns him to calm down! Alain Koutouan stretches but gets up unharmed.
65.41
Pier G. Perrotta knocks the ball to his team mate, Giorgio Zini. Giorgio Zini knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Damien Smith.
67.11
Maurizio Armellini makes a probing pass to Younès Belhamel. Younès Belhamel controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is more than a match for it. Saved!
69.51
Damien Smith knocks the ball to his team mate, Hrafn Bergvinsson. Hrafn Bergvinsson makes a probing pass to Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
71.08
The crowd are getting restless wanting to see some action.
72.46
2-0Maurizio Armellini clumsily knocks into Gennaro Bia. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Gennaro Bia hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
73.31
Pier G. Perrotta chips the ball to his team mate, Younès Belhamel. Younès Belhamel controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It curls slightly but Eddie Lumsdon manages to gather it comfortably.
75.46
P. Gilberto Porchia knocks the ball to his team mate, Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Gianluca Sotgia.
78.07
Linus Jentsch kicks a strong pass forward to Pier G. Perrotta. Pier G. Perrotta deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Alfred King.
79.10
Amedeo Ghirardello knocks the ball forward to Maurizio Armellini. Maurizio Armellini passes the ball forward to Fabio Bondi. Fabio Bondi sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The ball comes in low, but Eddie Lumsdon easily smothers it!
81.17
Damien Smith decides to run forward with the ball. Damien Smith threads the ball through to Mathias Jonquet. Mathias Jonquet knocks in a cross ball towards Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico flicks the ball with his head but it is tipped over by Sidney Ray.
84.21
The play is deadlocked with neither team giving up possession lightly.
85.31
Gennaro Bia threads the ball through to Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
87.13
Gianluca Sotgia passes the ball forward to Hrafn Bergvinsson. Hrafn Bergvinsson threads the ball through to Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Amedeo Ghirardello.
89.31
Gennaro Bia knocks the ball to his team mate, Vesa Polviander. Vesa Polviander whips in a cross ball towards Gill Artistico. Gill Artistico directs the ball goalwards with his head but it curls horrendously wide!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Match Statistics
Goals
Shots on Target
Shots off Target
Offsides
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Possession
Play Area
Scorers