U19s stay top after draw with Empoli

Sampdoria Under-19s twice battled back to earn a point against Empoli, stretching their unbeaten run to 11 league games in the process.

The Primavera 1 leaders found themselves behind midway through the first half when Pezzola scored for the hosts but Brentan restored parity when he guided a free kick into the top corner six minutes later.

Lipari put Empoli 2-1 up shortly after the hour mark then Samp captain Trimboli won and converted a penalty with time ticking down to earn a share of the spoils.

The point means Felice Tufano’s men remain top of the table on 38 points, two ahead of Roma.

Empoli 2-2 Sampdoria (HT 1-1)
Scorers: Pezzola 25, Brentan 31; Lipari 63, Trimboli 84 (pen).

Empoli (4-3-1-2): Biagini; Donati, Pezzola, Sinieghi, Rizza; Degli Innocenti, Asllani, Belardinelli (Sidibe 41); Baldanzi; Bozhanaj (Martini 86), Lipari (Ekong 87).
Subs not used: Hvalic, Piccioni, Indragoli, Morelli, Rossi, Lombardi, Toccafondi, Klimavicius, Brkic.
Coach: Busce.

Sampdoria (3-5-2): Zovko; Angileri, Siatounis, Obert (Francofonte 79); Ercolano (Somma 74), Trimboli, Yepes Laut, Brentan (Gaggero 74), Giordano; Di Stefano, Prelec (Yayi Mpie 87).
Subs not used: Saio, Aquino, Paoletti, Marrale, Napoli, Montevago, Pedicillo, Sepe.
Coach: Tufano.

Referee: Bitonti (Bologna).
Assistants: Bartolomucci (Ciampino) and Zezza (Ostia Lido).
Booked: Siniega 30, Brentan 45, Rizza 49, Degli Innocenti 61, Prelec 65.
Added time: 2+4 minutes.
Pitch: artificial.