Palermo were unable to make the breakthrough against a stubborn Empoli side as their Serie A match finished in a goalless draw this afternoon.

The hosts began the match on the front foot and Paulo Dybala almost opened the scoring with a low effort that was beaten away by Luigi Sepe.

They came even closer moments later as Franco Vazquez fired in a volley from the edge of the box that beat the keeper, but came crashing back off the bar.

Vazquez then flashed an effort wide and curled a strike over the top as Palermo continued to dominate.

However, it was Empoli who almost took the lead when Massimo Maccarone saw his effort saved by Sepe and Francesco Tavano was also denied by the keeper from the rebound.

Both teams continued to create chances throughout and Dybala nearly snatched the points with an 85th-minute volley from the edge of the box that sailed just over.

It proved to be the final decent opening, as neither side could break the deadlock and were forced to settle for a point in Sicily.