Empoli and Torino play out goalless draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:25 am
Empoli's Massimo Maccarone battles for the ball with Torino's Alessaandro Moretti.
Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Torino continued to look a shadow of the side who qualified for the Europa League last season as they were held to their fifth draw of the season.

Empoli had the better chances, but, despite ending the game with an extra man after Pontus Jansson was sent off, they could not find a way past their opponents.

The Tuscans have picked up plenty of plaudits for the way they have played this season, but an unrelenting downpour made it difficult for them to get the ball on the ground and play their usual passing game.

Matias Vecino tried his luck from 25 yards, going agonisingly close to opening the scoring with his shot curling inches away from the right-hand upright.

Torino's best moment of the first half came 10 minutes before the interval when Josef Martinez was denied at the near post by Luigi Sepe.

At the other end Jean-Francois Gillet made a great save in the 39th minute before denying Francesco Tavano early in the second half.

Massimo Maccarone powered a 20-yard free-kick into the wall as Empoli tried to find an opener, but they almost got caught out on the break when Amauri sent Martinez through. He, though, chose not to shoot and instead teed up Cesare Bovo to strike over from 25 yards.

Manuel Puciarelli nearly grabbed a late winner for Empoli, but Gillet saved the ball on the line.

Jansson earned his second yellow card in the last minute, but the hosts had too little time to make the most of their numerical advantage.