Empoli have a slender 1-0 half-time lead away to Napoli in today's early kickoff in Serie A.
The visitors went ahead on 19 minutes when Simone Verdi capped a swift counter-attacking move by calmly slotting into the net.
Empoli's advantage was almost doubled just six minutes later when Massimo Maccarone took aim from the edge of the penalty area, but his low drive flew inches wide of the post.
The game began to open up as the half wore on, with Duvan Zapata heading over for Napoli, before Francesco Tavano fired wide at the other end.
