Frosinone beat Empoli 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in Serie A at the Stadio Castellani, finding three crucial points in their battle to avoid relegation.
The visitors were desperate for a win to try and stay in Serie A and went ahead after 18 minutes through Daniel Ciofani. Empoli started playing their football after that, and found the equaliser with a lovely finish by Massimo Maccarone early in the second half. On 72 minutes the guests made it 2-1 with another Ciofani goal, from the penalty spot, giving the Ciociari their first away win of the season.
Frosinone went to the Castellani needing three points to continue their fight against relegation, and started the better side.
Aleksandar Tonev went close to scoring the opener on 16 minutes, his shot going wide.
Only a minute later Ciofani made it 1-0, headering home a delicious cross from Daniel Pavlovic and giving the Ciociari the lead.
It was that which woke Empoli up, and the home side started playing their usual football.
Marco Giampaolo’s men went close to making it 1-1 with Manuel Pucciarelli seeing at least three chances, with Maccarone also going just centimetres away from scoring, but the first half ended with the visitors in front.
It took Maccarone only 10 mintues in the second half to level, thanks to a wonderful control and finish as he scored his 10th goal of the season.
‘Big Mac’ could have made it 2-1 minutes later, but his header went wide, as Empoli kept on pushing for the winning goal.
The game changed again on 72 minutes though, as Mario Rui took down Federico Dionisi in the penalty box, with Frosinone taking the lead again thanks once more to Ciofani, who slotted home from the spot.
Frosinone then positioned themselves in a defensive 5-3-2 formation to concede the minimum possible to Empoli who were unable to find any space to attack the visitors for a good 15 minutes.
On 90 minutes, though, Maccarone had the chance to take Empoli level, but fired wide from close range.
Two minutes later it was Mario Rui who collected a pass from Maccarone but also missed the target.
Empoli were unable to find the equaliser, with Roberto Stellone’s men taking three crucial points to try and stay in Serie A.
The result leaves Empoli in ninth while Frosinone are just two points behind Sampdoria who have a game in hand.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com