By Anna Italia
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51% Ball Possession EMPOLI and 49% Ball Possesion PALERMO
Empoli 1 – 0 Palermo 
78′ Massimo Maccarone (pen)
Serie A Standing BEFORE the game:
Empoli, 17th position with 14 points and a negative goal difference of -16
Palermo, 18th position with 10 points and a negative goal difference of-19
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GOALS | DIFF | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Empoli | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10:26 | -16 | 14 |
| 18 | Palermo | 18 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 16:35 | -19 | 10 |
A match for survival to continue the dream alive for salvation. Empoli grabbing the victory thanks to the penalty converted by forward Massimo Maccarone. A victory to boost the morale of the team collecting all 3 points to move away from the relegation zone. Empoli reaching now 17 points while Palermo remain in the relegation zone with 10 points losing their 13th game this season.
- There are 12 precedents in Tuscany played between Empoli vs Palermo. Stats showing Empoli with 5 wins, 5 draws and Palermo with only 1 win.
Empoli opening the score in the 78th minute. Referee Valeri giving a penalty to Empoli conceded by Palermo defender Thiago Cionek after a foul on Empoli forward Massimo Maccarone inside the penalty area. It is precisely Maccarone to convert the penalty defeating Palermo goalkeeper Josip Posavec with a right footed shot in the top left corner.
Photo: facebook.com/empolifcofficialpage
Here is EMPOLI official starting lineup by coach Martusciello:
EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Skorupski; Laurini, Bellusci, Ćosić, Pasqual; Krunić, Dioussé, Croce; Saponara; Mchedlidze, Marilungo.
Here is PALERMO official starting lineup by coach Eugenio Corini:
PALERMO (3-5-1-1): Posavec; Cionek, González, Goldaniga; Rispoli, Jajalo, Gazzi, B.Henrique, Morganella; Quaison; Nestorovski.
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Stats BEFORE the game. Top scorer of EMPOLI: Levan Mchedlidze with 3 goals
Top scorer of PALERMO: Ilija Nestorovski with 7 goals
| EMPOLI | GOALS | GOALS | PALERMO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mchedlidze, Levan | 3 | 7 | Nestorovski, Ilija |
| Maccarone, Massimo | 2 | 3 | Quaison, Robin |
| Saponara, Riccardo | 2 | 2 | Rispoli, Andrea |
| Pucciarelli, Manuel | 1 | 1 | Goldaniga, Edoardo |
| Bellusci, Giuseppe | 1 | 1 | Jajalo, Mato |
Stats. Here are the last 3 games of EMPOLI: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 lost
| 20/12/16 | SA | Atalanta – Empoli | 2:1 | 18 |
| 17/12/16 | SA | Empoli – Cagliari | 2:0 | 17 |
| 11/12/16 | SA | Bologna – Empoli | 0:0 | 16 |
Stats. Here are the last 3 games of PALERMO: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 lost
| 22/12/16 | SA | Palermo – Pescara | 1:1 | 18 |
| 18/12/16 | SA | Genoa – Palermo | 3:4 | 17 |
| 11/12/16 | SA | Palermo – Chievo | 0:2 | 16 |
Photo: facebook.com/palermocalcioit
Palermo official starting lineup against Empoli
Photo: facebook.com/empolifcofficialpage
2016 – 2017 Italian Serie A Week 19
Empoli 1 – 0 Palermo
Saturday7 January 2017
Carlo Castellani Stadium
Empoli, Italy
18:00
Referee: VALERI
Assistants: MARZALONI – DEL GIOVANE
Fourth Official: CARBONE
ADD1: PAIRETTO
ADD2: PASQUA
Goals: 78′ Massimo Maccarone (pen)
Official lineups – formations:
EMPOLI (4-3-1-2): Skorupski; Laurini, Bellusci, Ćosić, Pasqual; Krunić, Dioussé, Croce; Saponara; Mchedlidze, Marilungo.
Subs: Pugliesi, Pelagotti; Dimarco, Veseli, Mauri, Pereira, Büchel, Tello, Maccarone, Pucciarelli, Tchanturia.
Coach: Martusciello.
PALERMO (3-5-1-1): Posavec; Cionek, González, Goldaniga; Rispoli, Jajalo, Gazzi, B.Henrique, Morganella; Quaison; Nestorovski.
Subs.: Marson, Fulignati, Vitiello, Trajkovski, Hiljemark, Embaló, Chochev, Aleesami, Sallai, Balogh, Diamanti, Pezzella.
Coach: Corini.