Libby Cacace also got some decent friendly action lately. Started a 2-1 win over Sturm Graz and then got the last half hour of a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Doing what he’s gotta do to stay ready as the backup to Fabiano Parisi – whose form has been so good this season that he was called up to the Italy squad for the first time last month. Don’t think Cacace’s being buried behind some random jerry there. Parisi is legit.
Featured in a 5-0 win vs Empoli's youth team. I was reading reports that say Parisi has attracted interest from abroad as well but Empoli seem to be determined to hold onto him until the end of the season. I guess it comes down to how much people want to pay for him as surely if the right offer came about, they would let him go.
Despite the frustration at minutes, you have to take a step back and consider that this is about the level of a mid-table club in the EPL, and if Cacace could regularly start at this level, he might sneak past a certain C. Wood as the highest rated current All White. For example, he’s getting more time than the rising Japanese star Mitoma was getting 2 months ago. And he had a dynamic WC and could be one of the EPL’s form players. Hope Cacace can fire up some good numbers and form through the back half of the season.
The thing that I take a lot of comfort from is that Parisi is definitely going at the end of the season (along with highly rated GK Vicario). If Libby wasn't good enough, there would already be rumours about a replacement. It's Italy after all... Sure, Empoli will re-invest some of that money into a new LB but Libby is always in the mix and should be getting even more minutes next season. Also to be totally fair, whenever I've watched him in Serie A games, he'd struggled a fair bit which is understandable. So hopefully he's training hard and learning, with little to no pressure. This could be very good for his development
Check out the highlights. Empoli GK Vicario deserves an equestrian statue...saved their bacon all game! If they sell him and Parisi they will make some good coin at the end of the season
They are up to 9th and have a chance to overtake Torino when they play them next week. To qualify for Europe they'd need to come at least 6th. Unlikely, and their season goal is to avoid the drop...so they should have a relaxed end to the season if they keep going like this
Might see Libby in that match, not sure about Garbett though.
From Flying Kiwis.
Fabiano Parisi played the entire second half on a yellow but Cacace never got summoned to replace him. That was Parisi’s fifth yellow of the season though so that should mean a suspension for next time...
Ooh I meant to check as I thought he was getting close to 5....Great news if true. Though Torino will be a tough nut to crack! Libby with only 3 games so far this season might be out of condition, let's hope he can seize the day though .
I was watching one of the EPL Stories on Sky this morning about Wolves and how they went away to Spain during the World Cup break for a training camp. Near the end, they play a friendly against Empoli and at the end of the match, they show Cacace talking to Adama Traore I think. I didn't see him at all during the actual game so maybe he came on late.
Alle 15.00 al Castellani la sfida contro il Torino: ecco la nostra formazione ⬇ EMPOLI: Vicario; Cacace, De Winter, Satriano, Akpa Akpro, Marin, Caputo, Ebuehi, Bandinelli, Luperto, Baldanzi pic.twitter.com/G7FCsR3oI0
The match ratings I've been reading have all said Libby had a good game...not easy as Torino is a difficult side to play, and due to Libby lacking match fitness. So he acquitted himself well. Hopefully he gets more opportunities
Match highlights here. Libby with a good cross and generally good positioning. Spared some blushes by the ball hitting the post at one point though to be fair he was put off by a team mate jumping for a header and then not going for it at the very last second. Good game and good performance!
Empoli were woeful on set pieces. Conceded two goals from corners ij the first 5 minutes, then we just went into cruise control. Libby's nemesis Fabiano Parisi with a good game overall, though in my view he was fairly guilty on the second goal. But he is an exciting player to watch. Lots of forward runs, beats his man all the time and has good feet. Basically like Libby when he played in the A-League...but against tougher opposition