Empoli lost their heads at Pordenone, Chievo came back in a seven-goal thriller at Livorno and Benevento left it late with Spezia to go top.

The events at the Dacia Arena were dramatic from the start, as Empoli’s Filippo Bandinelli got himself sent off after just two minutes for a reaction foul.

Leonardo Mancuso had the chance to equalise, but ballooned a penalty over the bar.

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Antonio Cassano, Sergio Pellissier, Alessandro Lucarelli and Elisabet Spina are among those starting the course to become sporting directors.

The course lasts 144 teaching hours and begins on September 16 at the Federation’s Coverciano training centre.

It is similar to the course that all tacticians are required to undergo before they can become accredited Serie A Coaches.

Among the names taking part in the first edition of the sporting directors programme are former players Cassano, Pellissier and Lucarelli.

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Sinisa Mihajlovic is going back into hospital today to start a second round of chemotherapy, so won’t be on the Bologna bench against Brescia.

The 50-year-old Serbian was diagnosed with leukaemia over the summer and spent all of pre-season training in the specialist clinic in Bologna.

He was given special permission to venture out early and sit on the bench for their opening Serie A game of the season against Hellas Verona.

Miha was then on leave for the second mate, a late 1-0 victory over Spezia.

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Poland international striker Mariusz Stepinski has moved from Chievo to their city rivals Hellas Verona for €5m.

The deadline day transfer was completed right on the wire between the neighbouring clubs.

Chievo were relegated to Serie B over the summer, while Hellas were promoted to the top flight.

He scored six goals with two assists in 35 Serie A appearances last season.

Stepinski is 24 years old and had been at Chievo since 2017, although he remained on loan with FC Nantes until 2018.

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Sampdoria have officially signed Zenit St Petersburg winger Emiliano Rigoni and Chievo goalkeeper Andrea Seculin on loan.

Rigoni arrives on a season-long loan with €10m obligation to buy, which will downgrad to an option to buy if he does not play a certain number of games.

The 26-year-old spent the first half of last season at Atalanta, scoring three goals in 12 appearances, and has one cap for Argentina.

Seculin, meanwhile, joins the Blucerchiati on loan with option to buy.

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Recently-relegated Chievo and Empoli shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Bentegodi this evening.

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Visitors Empoli had taken the lead through Jacopo Dezi’s spectacular volley into the far top corner.

However, Filip Djordjevic cancelled it out with a trademark header on Davide Brivio’s cross.

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Empoli got the better of Juve Stabia and Perugia completed a comeback to beat Chievo in a night of penalties.

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Empoli 2-1 Juve Stabia

Bandinelli 2 (E), Cisse 75 (JS), La Gumina pen 80 (E)

Perugia 2-1 Chievo

Meggiorini 3 (C), Iemmello pens 45, 69 (P)

Ascoli 3-1 Trapani

Scamacca 17 (A), Ferretti 64 (T), Luperini og 83 (A), Da Cruz 90 (A)

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Sampdoria have surprisingly surged to the front of the queue for Chievo talent Emanuel Vignato, overtaking Lazio and Bayern Munich.

The attacking midfielder turned 19 this weekend and already has 12 Serie A appearances under his belt, contributing one goal and an assist.

He had been leaning towards Bayern Munich after initial interest from Lazio.

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport writer Nicolò Schira claims Sampdoria have dived in with a new proposal and negotiations reached an advanced stage last night.

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SPAL have officially sold Finland international defender Sauli Vaisanen to Serie B side Chievo.

The 25-year-old was signed from AIK Solna in the summer of 2017.

After a handful of top flight appearances, Vaisanen was sent out on loan to Crotone last season.

He returned to base and was today sent packing to Chievo.

As part of the deal, Chievo gave Nenad Tomovic to SPAL.

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Chievo have signed Hungarian winger Andras Schafer from Genoa on a season-long loan.

Schafer only Genoa in January from MTK Budapest but failed to make a first-team appearance.

The 20-year-old will now spend the upcoming campaign at Chievo, who were relegated to Serie B last term.

Despite his age, the left-sider has yet to pick up any caps for Hungary’s Under-21 side.

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