Matteo Cancellieri’s long-range stunner cancelled out a Federico Di Francesco goal, but Giovanni Simeone twice failed to convert the same penalty, as Verona only managed a point in Empoli.
The Tuscans were without a win in 12 Serie A games, their worst streak in a single season since 15 in March 1999. Hellas were decimated going into this game, as Marco Davide Faraoni, Federico Ceccherini and Ivan Ilic were suspended, with Darko Lazovic, Miguel Veloso, Kevin Lasagna, Fabio Depaoli, Panagiotis Retsos and Pawel Dawidowicz injured.
Empoli were under the cosh early on, but took the lead against the run of play with a well-worked goal. Andrea Pinamonti’s back-heel flick on a Parisi through ball set up Federico Di Francesco to score from 10 yards. It was a particularly sweet moment for that player, seeing as Verona sacked his father – coach Eusebio Di Francesco – three games into the season.
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Gianluca Caprari’s free kick was fingertipped over the bar by Guglielmo Vicario, but Verona were awarded a penalty when Parisi tripped Caprari in the box. Giovanni Simeone stepped up and it was parried by Guglielmo Vicario, but had to retaken due to Parisi’s encroachment. At the second attempt, Cholito smashed it onto the upright, so failed both times, and Matteo Cancellieri’s follow-up header was off target.
Verona did draw level soon after with a sensational finish from Cancellieri, who cut in from the right and bent a left-foot curler into the far bottom corner from distance.
Empoli had a huge chance to restore their advantage, Mattia Viti firing over at the back post from close range when Bonazzoli flicked on a corner.
Verona also threatened, Antonin Barak’s glancing header on a Cancellieri free kick shaving a coat of paint off the far post.
Empoli 1-1 Verona
Di Francesco 26 (E), Cancellieri 71 (V)
Missed penalty: Simeone 65 (V)