Empoli extended their unbeaten run to three games, as while they hit the woodwork, Genoa winger Djed Spence was denied by a goal-line clearance.
The hosts were revitalised by new coach Davide Nicola, earning a 3-0 win over Monza and 1-1 draw away to 10-man Juventus, but sold Tommaso Baldanzi to Roma on deadline day, bringing in M’Baye Niang. Simone Bastoni and Tyronne Ebuehi were out of action, while the Grifone missed Junior Messias, Ridgeciano Haps and Alan Matturro. New signings Vitinha and Giorgio Cittadini were on the bench, but coach Alberto Gilardino sat out a touchline ban.
Niccoló Cambiaghi nutmegged Koni De Winter to then hit the side-netting, while Stefano Sabelli had the ball in the net for Genoa on 26 minutes, but was offside on the corner.
Empoli were unlucky after the restart, as Cambiaghi saw his toe-poke deflected onto the base of the upright from 10 yards.
Mattia Destro just failed to get the necessary flick on to a Liberato Cacace free kick.
Vitinha made his Genoa debut for the final stages, but Djed Spence almost gave his team the lead when his floating header on an Aaron Martin cross from the left beat the goalkeeper, only to be cleared off the line by Sebastiano Luperto.
Destro managed to get an audacious aerial back-heel flick on target, but straight at Josep Martinez.
In the final minute, Albert Gudmundsson saw his low drive fingertipped inches past the far post by Elia Caprile.
Koni De Winter received his second yellow card in stoppages for a foul on Jacopo Fazzini and reduced Genoa to 10 men.
Empoli 0-0 Genoa
Sent off: De Winter 92 (G)
Player statistic
| Sebastian Walukiewicz |  |
53' | ||
| 66' | |
Koni De Winter | ||
| 73' | |
Stefano Sabelli | ||
| Nicolò Cambiaghi | |
75' | ||
| 90+2' |  |
Koni De Winter |
Match statistic
