By Anna Italia
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55% Ball Possession EMPOLI and 45% Ball Possession CROTONE
Empoli 1 – 1 Crotone 
31′ Giuseppe Bellusci 45′ Mario Sampirisi
56′ Andrea Costa
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Empoli, 20th position with 0 points and a negative goal difference of -3
Crotone, 19th position with 0 point and a negative goal difference of -3
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Goals | DIFF | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Crotone | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1:4 | -3 | 0 |
| 20 | Empoli | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0:3 | -3 | 0 |
Empoli winning their first game this season after defeating Crotone at the Carlo Castellani Stadium. Empoli jumped from the 20th to the 16th position reaching now 3 points and a negative goal difference of -2. Crotone went down from the 19th to the 20th position being the only team not winning a single game yet.
Empoli opening the score in the 31st minute following a corner conceded by Crotone Federico Ceccherini. It is Empoli defendGiuseppe Bellusci to jump high enough for the headed shot defeating Crotone goalkeeper Alex Corda in the bottom left corner. The assist is by defender Manuel Pasqual. It’s a historical goal not only for Bellusci scoring his first goal in Serie A, but also the first one for Empoli this season.
Photo: facebook.com/empolifcofficialpage
Talking about reaction. Crotone reacting fast to equalize the score before ending the first half in the 45th minute. It’s midfielder Mario Sampirisi to score defeating Empoli goalkeeper Skorupski with a headed shot in the center. The assist is by Marcus Rohden with a cross.
Empoli taking the lead again with a headed shot goal in the 56th minute. This time it is Andrea Costa to defeat Crotone goalkeeper Cordaz in the bottom left corner. The assist is by Manuel Pasqual, two assists in this match resulting in goals.
Here is EMPOLI official starting lineup by coach Martusciello:
EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Skorupski; Zambelli, Bellusci, Costa, Pasqual; Tello, Josè Mauri, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli.
Here is CROTONE official starting lineup by coach Nicola:
CROTONE (3-4-3): Cordaz; Ceccherini, Claiton, Ferrari; Rosi, Rohden, Crisetig, Martella; Stoian, Falcinelli, Palladino.
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Empoli FC Tickets
Crotone Tickets
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- Click the video to watch Empoli vs Crotone highlights on Monday 12 September 2016
Stats BEFORE the game. Here are the last 3 games of EMPOLI: 1 win, 2 lost
| 28/08/16 | SA | Udinese – Empoli | 2:0 | 2 |
| 21/08/16 | SA | Empoli – Sampdoria | 0:1 | 1 |
| 13/08/16 | CI | Empoli – Vicenza | 2:0 | R3 |
Here are the last 3 games of CROTONE: 3 lost
| 28/08/16 | SA | Crotone – Genoa | 1:3 | 2 |
| 21/08/16 | SA | Bologna – Crotone | 1:0 | 1 |
| 14/08/16 | CI | Verona – Crotone | 2:1 | R3 |
Photos of the match Empoli vs Crotone courtesy by facebook.com/empolifcofficialpage
2016 – 2017 Italian Serie A Week 3
Empoli 2 – 1 Crotone
Monday 12 September 2016
Carlo Castellani Stadium
Empoli, Italy
20:45
Referee: VALERI
Assistants: PRETI – BINDONI
Fourth Official: MARRAZZO
ADD1: GAVILLUCCI
ADD2: MANGANIELLO
Goals: 31′ Giuseppe Bellusci (E), 45′ Mario Sampirisi (C), 56′ Andrea Costa (E)
Official lineups – formations:
EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Skorupski; Zambelli, Bellusci, Costa, Pasqual; Tello, Josè Mauri, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli.
Coach: Martusciello.
CROTONE (3-4-3): Cordaz; Ceccherini, Claiton, Ferrari; Rosi, Rohden, Crisetig, Martella; Stoian, Falcinelli, Palladino.
Coach: Nicola.