Como-Empoli, a precious point. Kouame, with his head, finds the first goal. The Azzurri remain in the race for salvation but how many regrets at Sinigaglia

by Simone Cioni

HOW

Empoli's bid for salvation restarts with a point in Como, but they return from the trip to the lakeside with yet another baggage full of regrets. Many would probably have signed off on the draw on the eve, yet in the end if there is a team that can complain about the lack of victory it is Empoli. Bad luck, of course, played its part: two more posts hit (and we are at eight) with Kouame's one at the start of the second half after also skipping past Butez who is incredible with the ball that changes trajectory rolling on a clod when it seemed headed for the net. Equally gross were some errors in front of goal, the most glaring one by Kouame in the 89th minute (alone in front of Butez he doesn't even hit the target). It would have been the perfect day for the Ivorian striker, who shortly before had risen to the sky towering over Valle to sign the Azzurri equaliser giving himself his first goal with the new jersey.

On a day of firsts, including the first goal in Italy by the young Greek striker from Como Douvikas, Empoli once again confirmed that they are a lively team, with the ability to fight to the end for their objective. Especially in light of the important recoveries, which this time gave D'Aversa the opportunity to also give a more offensive imprint to the team, when a jolt was needed after Como's lead with the additions of Fazzini and Solbakken and the switch to 4-4-2. A goal that was as linear in its development as it was readable, in which the Azzurri defense was caught unprepared. A coincidence that it arrived just three minutes after Viti's exit, returning after almost two months of absence, and the consequent tactical remodulation? Compared to the last outings, this time the Azzurri had a good reaction, ending up going closer to victory than Fabregas' team. Vasquez, a surprise choice by D'Aversa who reintroduced him as a starter after 49 days, in fact only had to make two significant saves.

In the first half, the Azzurri struggle to find the right timing to come out under pressure and concede a lot of space in the attacking midfield, but then they compact well to protect their own area, conceding little. Como moves the ball more and better, but at the decisive moment the absence of Nico Paz (suspended) is noticeable. So as the minutes pass, Empoli takes the measure, especially Diao, increases the aggression and makes itself seen dangerously near Butez: four times with Kouame, once with Cacace and once with Grassi who rises well on Gyasi's cross and hits the post. At the start of the second half, the locals have the best chance with Goldaniga, who, after having a goal disallowed in the first half for offside, fails to hit the target with his header all alone. After a soft start to the second half, Empoli's reaction instils confidence. It's a shame about Gyasi's yellow card and Fazzini's expulsion, which will remove two important players for the direct clash with Cagliari next Sunday. Now, however, there is the dream of the Coppa Italia.