Final result: Empoli-Fiorentina 0-0
EMPOLI (by Andrea Carlino)
Vasquez 6 – Safe between the posts and when coming out, the Empoli goalkeeper is always ready for the opponents’ rare shots. A couple of decisive interventions in the first half kept his goal clean, transmitting confidence to the entire defensive department. His solid performance contributes significantly to the precious clean sheet against a fearsome team like Fiorentina.
Goglichidze 6.5 – Attentive and flawless performance from the defender, who keeps the incursions of the Viola attackers on his side at bay. Precise in advances and closures, he also proposes himself in the setup phase with some good vertical plays. A couple of providential interventions in the finale demonstrate his growing confidence in the role.
Ismajli 7 – The central defender confirms himself as a key player in the Italian defense with a performance of great substance. Always concentrated and punctual in closing, he wins almost all the aerial duels with the opposing attackers. His experience and positional sense are fundamental in leading the department and maintaining the high line, neutralizing the Viola’s offensives.
Screws 6.5 – Careful and tidy match from the young defender, who doesn’t look out of place when compared to more experienced attackers. Some good defensive diagonals and several punctual closures, even if on a couple of occasions he was surprised by Colpani’s accelerations. Overall a positive test that confirms his growth and reliability in the defensive trio.
Gyasi 6 – Generous and self-sacrificing performance from the winger, who runs a lot up and down the right wing. In the defensive phase he contains Gosens’ offensive outbursts well, while forward he presents himself with continuity even if not always clear in his choices. A couple of interesting crosses not exploited by his teammates testify to his constant contribution to the maneuver.
Henderson 6 – The midfielder dictates the timing of Empoli’s maneuver with personality and quality. With precise passes and a constant presence in the blocking phase, he helped maintain control of the midfield. It drops in the second half, until the substitution. From 74′ Ekong 6 – Enters the game well, giving solidity to the midfield at the end with some valuable interventions.
Fats 6 – Match of great sacrifice and tactical application of the midfielder, who makes his dynamism count in both phases. Valuable in the interdiction phase with several recovered balls, he also proposes himself forward with some insertions. He drops a little at distance but his performance remains positive, guaranteeing balance to the blue midfield.
Pezzella 6 – Constant push on the left wing for the winger, who puts Dodò in difficulty with his accelerations. A couple of treacherous crosses not exploited by his teammates, while in the defensive phase he contained Colpani’s offensive attacks well. Beating of good substance and continuity in both phases.
Anjorin 6.5 – The English midfielder manages to make an alternating impact, but when he does he is dangerous. Some good play on the restart, but, unfortunately for him, little clarity in the last pass. A performance that reveals his qualities but also ample room for improvement. From 86′ Haas sv
Esposito 6 – Match of sacrifice and movement of the young attacker, who moves a lot between the lines trying not to give points of reference. A couple of interesting ideas with the ball at his feet, even if he lacks a bit of precision in the last pass. He is appreciated for his commitment and generosity. From 74′ Pellegri 6 – Enters with the right determination, trying to give weight to the attack in the final with some interesting movements.
Columbus 5.5 – Struggles to find spaces against the Viola defense, well marked by Comuzzo and Ranieri. He moves a lot but receives few playable balls, rarely managing to be dangerous. A high shot from a good position in the first half was his only real chance. From 57′ Solbakken 6 – He brings freshness to the attack, creating some problems for the Viola defense with his movements and a couple of interesting ideas.
Roberto D’Aversa 6.5 – The blue coach sets up a careful and orderly match, managing to harness the purple maneuver. His team holds the field well, conceding little and trying to restart when possible. The changes at the end demonstrate the desire to seek victory. A precious point against a big team that confirms the solidity of his Empoli and the quality of the work done. Still unbeaten in this start: only Juventus like him.
FLORENTINA (by Dimitri Conti)
De Gea 6 – For the entire first half he remains completely inactive, at the beginning of the second half Pezzella soils his gloves but it will be his only real intervention.
Dodo 6.5 – Unlike Gosens, he does not suffer from the change of formation and the move to the back four. He sprints and defends, the only thing lacking is the precision of his crosses.
Comuzzo 6.5 – Now a permanent owner of this Fiorentina, he offers another proof of notable solidity. It doesn’t pay attention to etiquette but it is tremendously effective.
Ranieri 6.5 – Upon returning to the starting eleven, he justifies Palladino’s decision with an attentive performance free of any real red pencil smudges.
Gosens 5.5 – He has every appearance of being the sacrificial victim behind the move to a back four. The time he remains on the pitch on the Castellani lawn confirms this.
From 88′ Parisi sv.
Ox 5.5 – A few too many balls lost in the first half obscure the usual dose of dynamism and sacrifice he puts on the pitch. A little better later.
Cataldi 6 – Orderly, he gives a good amount of time to Fiorentina’s maneuver, aiming mostly not to lose the balls he plays. Better in the first half than in the second.
From 71′ Adli 6 – He gives another personality in the possession phase to a Fiorentina that had gradually disappeared, but also some unwanted thrills.
Colpani 5 – Yet another opportunity as a starter, Palladino doesn’t want to lose him in this negative approach to the world of Florence, but he too knows that this isn’t right.
From 71′ Ikone 5.5 – It seems like the right time to see him make an impact in a match with heavy stakes, taking over from the bench. Just an impression.
Gudmundsson 6 – Debut as a starter after last Sunday’s flashes. The show is less sparkling, it still seems inspired but does not find collaboration.
From 71′ Beltran 5.5 – He is also among the tactical misunderstandings of this Fiorentina. Played as an attacking midfielder, that doesn’t seem to be the area of the pitch he prefers.
Kouame 5 – Protagonist of Palladino’s real surprise choice, he also receives the captain’s armband. In exchange, however, he provides a clumsy performance: strong-willed but wrong.
From 81′ Sottil sv.
Kean 5.5 – Increasingly at the center of the Fiorentina project and the attack, he wants to stamp out. At times even excessive: his enthusiasm leads him too many times to lose lucidity.
Raffaele Palladino 5.5 – He shuffles the cards on his table by starting again from the second half against Lazio and from the back four, with an extra attacker. Good competitive pace in the first half, which shows Fiorentina on the rise. At half-time it was as if the reset had occurred and for long stretches he disappeared from the pitch. And in the end the evaluation is insufficient.