Luigi Delneri's reign as Hellas Verona boss began as his predecessor Andrea Mandorlini's ended - with a defeat.Andrea Costa's 61st-minute strike proved enough to earn Empoli a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, condemning basement boys Hellas to their ninth loss of the season.The Gialloblu - now under the management of former Chievo boss Delneri - looked brighter in their pursuit of a first league win and might well have scored through veteran striker Luca Toni on several occasions.It was Costa's first goal of the term, however, that denied them any share of the points. The former Parma defender was quick to react when Verona goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini pushed his first headed attempt back into play.