- Click here for the complete
Week 11 - Eleventh Round Serie A Italian Football League Result: Empoli 2 - 2 AS Roma Goals for Empoli Vannucchi, Giovinco and for Roma Giuly, Brighi
EMPOLI 2 - 2 AS ROMA 
67' I. Vannucchi 13' Ludovic Giuly
90' Giovinco 32' M. Brighi
Unbelievable, but true! After AS Roma finished the first half 0-2 winning with 2 goals from Ludovic Giuly in the 13th minute and Matteo Brighi in the 32nd minute, the match ended up with a draw. In the second half Empoli --the small team-- returned to the field energized and wanting to change the score. Guess what, they did it! Supposedly, this was going to be a Roma victory, at least on paper.
Yet, the men of Luciano Spalletti could not keep the victory.
In the 13th minute, a great team effort leads Roma to open the score. A combination from David Pizarro,
Simone Perrotta and Ludovic Giuly (photo) scoring the first goal of the match. It was Empoli 0 - 1 AS Roma.
In the 32nd minute, Amantino Mancini crossed from the left and Matteo Brighi was at the far post and beat Empoli goalkeeper. It was Empoli 0 - AS 2 Roma.
Nobody would have thought that the great Roman gladiators were going to lose against the more humble Empoli.
Here is where logics don't make sense, right?
It shows that sometimes the big teams can lose an almost secured victory against a small team when there is determination and pride to win. Empoli showed this determination in the second half, while Roma returned to the field already believing the match was done.
In the 67th minute Ighli Vannucchi, amazingly from a 30-yard
strike encourage his teammates and fans that it was possible to score against the almighty Roma. It was a constant fight to get the second goal and believe in the miracle of at least getting a draw, while the men of Spalletti either protect the lead or score another goal to secure the victory.
Roma almost got the victory. However, in football a match is not over until the Referee whistles the end of the match. Incredible so, in the 90th minute, the young Giovinco equalized the match with a free kick to the joy of Empoli fans and to the dismay of Roma fans. Commentators said that Giovinco's free kick resembled the goal of Ronaldinho against England in the 2002 World Cup. I totally agree with them. What a display from Giovinco and he has only 20 years old!
What makes this "draw" an upset for ROMA is that Empoli despite not having some of their main playes for injuries, such as Antonio Busce, Guillermo Giacomazzi, Rej Volpato and goalkeeper Daniele Balli, still Roma could not keep their victory.
Sure, some will argue that Roma did not have their main players too, such as Captain Francesco Totti, Alberto Aquilani and the great midfielder Daniele De Rossi. However, looking at the formation from both teams, Roma players were much experienced than Empoli. There is no excuse for a "draw," period. This draw was really an upset.
Simply put, Empoli Coach Gigi Cagni substitutions worked. In the 26th minute, he substituted Marianini for Sebastian Giovinco.
Had not been for Roma Goalkeeper Doni, Empoli would have won the match. Doni made some superb saves, like a one-handed save denying Pozzi's the opportunity to score. Doni also saved Roma from Andrea Raggi's header who almost score, but DONI was there protecting the Romans.
LINE UPS
Week 11 - Eleventh Round Serie A TIM Italian Football LeagueEmpoli - AS Roma
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Referee: Banti
Goals: Empoli - 67' I. Vannucchi 90' Giovinco
Roma - 13' Ludovic Giuly 32' M. Brighi
Empoli: Bassi, Raggi, Piccolo, Adani (Antonini 72), Tosto, Marianini (Giovinco 27), Marchisio, Moro (Giacomazzi 54), Vannucchi, Saudati, Pozzi
Coach: Gigi Cagni
AS Roma:
Goalkeeper: Doni
Defenders: Cicinho, Matteo Ferrari, Juan, Marco Cassetti, Giuly (Max Tonetto 46),
Midfielders: Matteo Brighi, David Pizarro, Mancini (Philippe Mexes
86), Simone Perrotta (Barusso 68),
Forward: Vucinic
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
This is really bad count how many clubs draw this week too many to count, whats wrong??? come on Serie A is strong but with goals not with draws
Reply to this
Milan99 this was one of the worst week of Serie A. Althought there were many draws, most disappointing was Milan 0-0 Torino. The other draws at least had goals, such as Empoli 2 - 2 Roma, Juve 1 - 1 Inter, Parma 2 -2 Siena, Genoa 3 - 3 Palermo.....
Reply to this
You are right, but Milan's draw was expected the others were not.
Reply to this
hey Milan99 i dont agree this time, i was not not expecting a draw for Milan but a victory.
Reply to this
Ciao Pietro!!! I wasn't expecting a victory due to that Milan are not sure yet, so are you joining fans and banning San Siro, Anna and I are. This is sad, but its how it is. Next match I'll expect a victory because Milan players should already began to be united like always
Reply to this
Hey, all!
What a match of the week is! Unbelievable! Roma, Milan, Parma and Palermo all made draw. It is very disappointing, indeed! Luckily for us, Inter made draw with Juventus! I am glad for only its result!
Reply to this
Suri i am also happy for Inter-Juventus draw at least Inter did not take the 3 points but only 1. I did not like Roma match because they were winning with 2 goals and suddenly in the second half Empoli equalized the match, i think it was more a defeat for Roma, do you agree?
Reply to this
Hey, Pietro,
Yes, it means they lost thier glory not to Milan, but to Empoli! It became the real loss for Roma after they won against Milan and Lazio which are more powerful than Empoli. It is very disappointing score, isn't it?!
Reply to this
I agree Suri it is incredible, like Anna says had not been for goalkeeper Doni Empoli would have beaten Roma. Milan and Lazio are strongest and they made it but with Empoli they trembled? i agree it was a disappointing score.
Reply to this
Hey Suri!! I know you were expecting an Inter vs Juve draw
Reply to this
I can't wait for Roma's Champions League match this week! [rubbing hands] Now I know they won't be 2nd place in the group as easily as I expected.
Reply to this
Hey, Ricardo,
Me, too, looking forward to knowing the last result! It will be 1-2. What are u expecting? Let's bet.
Reply to this
It will be a VERY TOUGH test for Roma without Totti... still, I will go for Roma victory. I am counting on Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi, Doni...
Reply to this
Yes, indeed! But i will pray for Roma as much as i can. At least, Roma needs draw.
Reply to this
Suri your prayers were answered and it what a spectacular way! Roma did get a draw thanks to Polga's own goal in the very last minute... 90th minute!
Reply to this
Suri Roma could do better than a draw, Keep praying
Reply to this
Suri,
I'm in! Let's bet. 3-2. Sporting is pumped up, and the 2nd gk will make it easy for Roma to score. Vucinic and Mancini 1 goal each. Veloso, Liedson and Moutinho 1 goal each. There.
Who will be the goalscorers for you?
Reply to this
Hey, i am glad that we are betting on the upcoming game. As i expect and hope, three goals total of Vucinic's two and De Rossi's one will lead Roma to VICTORY agains Sporting, from which Liedson will score its one goal to the reputation being played at the home.
Reply to this
Where was Vucinic and De Rossi's goals huh? At least Liedson scored twice! Who's showing team spirit, Roma or Sporting? Roma has much more experience in the Champions not to mention 'campioni del mondo' de rossi... Now that it's off my chest, I can't believe the 2nd place of the group is still tight. I don't want to see the next Roma game. I have a feeling Roma will go through with Man U and Sporting left behind
Reply to this
Ricardo15 I am still asking the same question.. where were their goals? Liedson did his job. Unfortunately, Richardo15, I think your prediction will come true MAN U and ROMA will pass... that's good for us ROMA fans but bad for you. So what should we do?
Ah... Roma had their team spirit, but something was not clicking in the second half... DANIELE DE ROSSI.. great motivator, needs to mature more but he is showing character.
Reply to this
The Empoli match was very disappointing, it was a great chance for Roma to gain points on Inter. Once again, Roma gave up a late goal and lost a lead.
Reply to this
Kenntak is there any other word to describe the Empoli 2 - 2 Roma match than disappointing?
Unbelievable, Roma taking the lead 2 -0, going to the interval with a peaceful mind, but returning to relax and draw the match?
I thought you fight till the end to keep the victory not to draw! Agree ?
Reply to this