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Empoli and Reggina still in trouble after dull draw

Society Materials 12 January 2008 23:08 (UTC +04:00)

( dpa ) - A rain-plagued 1-1 draw Saturday brought no relief to hosting Empoli and Reggina, who remained mired in the lower reaches of the Italian Serie A football.

The game that reopened the league after a three-week winter break saw Empoli inch forward onto 16 points from 18 games, with Reggina trailing two points adrift. Reggina are second-last with Siena, albeit with a game in hand.

Fabio Ceravolo laid into the empty net to put Reggina ahead in the first minute, profiting from a defence blunder partly caused by the soaked pitch.

A spot kick on four minutes allowed Empoli to equalize through Luca Saudati, who fired high on seven minutes and nine minutes later took another penalty after being himself floored in the area only to have his shot deflected by Andrea Campagnolo.

A wide volley from Francesco Marianini followed by a Guillermo Giacomazzi header opened the second half for Empoli, while Reggina brought on the just bought 21-year-old Uruguayan Christian Stuani with half an hour to go.

The former Danubio forward had first chance in the Serie A on 63 minutes, but aimed a feeble shot after his team mate Francesco Cozza had a dangerous effort deflected.

A late game in Sicily pits third-place Juventus against mid-table hosts Catania. The Turin side lie eights points adrift from leaders Inter Milan, on 43 points ahead of Sunday's away game at lowly Siena.

Second-place Roma have 36 points, one more than Juve, when they visit a solid Atalanta in Bergamo.

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