Neither Empoli nor Hellas Verona was able to find the net during a fiery encounter at the Stadio Carlo Castellani this afternoon.

The opening opportunity of the encounter was created by the away side in the 14th minute as veteran striker Luca Toni raced through unopposed. However, the former Italy international saw his effort saved by Luigi Sepe.

As the half wore on, visiting Empoli started to dominate proceedings and they went close to breaking the deadlock in stoppage time through Daniele Rugani, but Verona goalkeeper Francesco Benussi blocked the shot.

The hosts continued to dominate proceedings as the second half got underway, with Massimo Maccarone and Manuel Pucciarelli both calling Sepe into action.

However, they were then dealt a blow as defender Lorenzo Tonelli was dismissed for a second bookable offence, leaving his side to play the remaining 25 minutes a man light.

The numbers would be evened up just 12 minutes later, though, as Verona's Emil Hallfredsson was red-carded for a late challenge.

Mindful that a mistake in the closing stages could prove crucial, both sides adopted a more defensive approach following Hallfredsson's departure and as a result the contest dwindled to a goalless draw, which has left Empoli in 13th, while Verona remain three places further back.