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Week 18 - Eighteenth Round Serie A RESULT Matchday 18 REGGINA - EMPOLI
EMPOLI 1 - 1 REGGINA 
5' L. Saudati (pen) 2' F. Ceravolo
BEFORE THIS MATCH Serie A Standing: Empoli 17th position, 15 points
Reggina 19th position, 13 points
Both teams needed to win this match to leave the relegation zone, specially REGGINA. Technically, Empoli had the best chance to win the match. Yet, the first goal came from Reggina when Ceravolo opened the score in the 2nd minute. In the 4th minute, Referee Dondarini granted Empoli a penalty kick. Forward Luca Saudati (photo) kicked the penalty and equalized the match.What a match! Not even 10 minutes and it is already Reggina 1 - 1 Empoli.
Empoli could not profit from playing at home and having the constant support of their fans.
Incredible so, in the 15th minute, Referee Dondarini grants another penalty to Empoli afterReggina defender Cirillo commits a foul on Luca Saudati. A great save from Reggina goalkeeper Campagnolo. Just a wasted opportunity for Empoli to grasp those 3 points.
Giovinco disappointed me big time! I was expecting a great performance but he seemed tired, not focused. In fact, Coach Malesani substituted him in the second half by the young sensation Niccola Pozzi. Sadly, this time, not even Pozzi could score like he did against Juventus. In sum, Empoli was a disaster!Despite Empoli having 63.7% ball possession while Reggina 47.3%, Empoli could not win the match.
Greatest disappointment was with Reggina Coach Ulivieri sent off again in the 26th minute of the second half! Coach Renzo Ulivieri already was sent off in the match against Sampdoria when famous "battibecco" squabble with forward Antonio Cassano.
LINEUPS
Scorers: 2' Ceravolo (R), 5' Saudati (E) penalty kick
Empoli
Balli,
Vanigli, fuori per Abate al 1' st, Marzoratti, Raggi, Marianini, Antonini,
Busce', Giacomazzi, fuori per Tosto al 22' st, Vannucchi, Giovinco, fuori per
Pozzi al 28' st, Saudati.
Subs: Bassi, Piccolo, Ascoli, Adani.
Coach: Malesani
Reggina
Campagnolo,
Cascione, fuori per Tognozzi al 27' st, Cirillo, Vigiani, Barreto, Cozza,
Valdez, Ceravolo, fuori per Stuani al 14' st, Modesto, Missiroli, Lanzaro.
Subs: Novakovic, Cherubin, Alvarez, Montiel, Stadsgaard.
Coach: Renzo Ulivieri
Booked: 22' Cascione (R), 32' Cozza (R), 39' Giovinco (E), all'8' st Giacomazzi (E), al 32' st Campagnolo (R), al 47' st Tognozzi (R)
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