Genoa 1 : 1 Empoli - Empoli score late to deny Genoa

Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2014 by PA

Andrea Bertolacci's first goal in 23 Serie A matches was not enough to secure Genoa all three points as Empoli rallied to force a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The industrious Grifone midfielder had not scored since January but called time on his personal drought during the early exchanges on Monday night.

Promoted Empoli, who are now unbeaten in five games, were always the better side at the Marassi, got their reward for being persistent when Lorenzo Tonelli equalised late on.

Empoli were first to threaten as Simone Verdi got into the penalty box to test Mattia Perin and, in the seventh minute, Massimo Maccarone had a goal ruled out because he had fouled Nicolas Burdisso.

The veteran striker then sent Verdi through on goal but as the centre-back swiped at the ball, Perin made an impressive double save.

Genoa raced down the other end to open the scoring in the 14th minute, Bertolacci's angled drive proving too hot to handle for Davide Bassi.

The rest of the first half belonged to Empoli, however, with Verdi setting Manuel Pucciarelli up for an attempt from close range and Maccarone arriving just too late to tuck home Mario Rui's low assist.

Empoli continued to plug away without any joy when play resumed and Maccarone was unlucky not to equalise with a cheeky back-heel from a corner at a 61st-minute corner.

Bertolacci came knocking again eight minutes later but this time Bassi stretched his body to get low and parry the Genoa midfielder's strike to safety.

Maccarone continued to menace the home defence and might have done better with a cross from Francesco Tavano that he improbably flicked over the bar.

The Tuscans' hard work finally paid off in the 78th minute as Tonelli deflected the ball into the net with his chest after Maccarone had tried to score with his head from a corner.

That setback spurred Genoa into action and they should have re-established their lead inside the final 10 minutes when Diego Perotti gained a favourable deflection off Bassi.

The ball ended up at Alessandro Matri's feet, but he could only slam it against a post.

Empoli might even have nicked all three points at the death as Edenilson arrived in a good scoring position before sending his shot wide of the mark.