Simeone scores as Fiorentina beat Empoli

MILAN, Dec 16, (AP): Giovanni Simeone has rediscovered his goalscoring touch, much to Fiorentina’s relief.

Simeone hadn’t scored in 10 matches before last weekend, but he netted his second in as many matches as Fiorentina fought back to beat Empoli 3-1.

It was Fiorentina’s first win in nine matches and saw it move up to eighth in the Serie A standings.

Empoli hadn’t lost since Giuseppe Iachini replaced Aurelio Andreazzoli as coach, winning three of its four matches in that period. And it took the lead in the 23rd minute as Francesco Caputo rolled the ball across the face of goal and Rade Krunic tapped it in.

Simeone set up Kevin Mirallas shortly before halftime for the equalizer and then put his side in front in the 59th when he headed in Cristiano Biraghi’s cross.

Substitute Bryan Dabo sealed the result with the goal of the game, 12 minutes from time. Dabo, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, intercepted a pass in his own half and went on a surging run before firing into the bottom right corner.

Empoli remained five above the relegation zone.

SPAL is also five points above the relegation zone after it could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to bottom club Chievo Verona.

SPAL substitute Sergio Floccari hit the crossbar in stoppage time.

Frosinone remained 19th and five points from safety after losing 2-0 against Sassuolo, which moved up to sixth.

Sampdoria beat Parma 2-0 to leapfrog above its opponent into seventh spot.

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