Liberato Cacace (Empoli | Italy)
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.
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.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/04/italy/serie-a/udinese-calcio/empoli-fc/3812734/
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.
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
Empoli up 1-0 after 60 mins
Finished a 1-1 draw.
Empoli currently 1-0 over Udinese. @Libby2709 starts on the bench opposite @Xinoexposito
— Jacob Spoonley (@JacobSpoonley) January 4, 2023
Wonder if they ever played each other in the NZ National League. pic.twitter.com/JkxODY09IG
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/08/italy/serie-a/ss-lazio-roma/empoli-fc/3812744/
Edit - Libby on the bench.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/16/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/uc-sampdoria/3812752/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/23/italy/serie-a/fc-internazionale-milano/empoli-fc/3812763/
⚽️ @Libby2709 is on fire 🇳🇿🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/qeObnIZInV
— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) January 21, 2023
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...
Libby with only 3 games so far this season might be out of condition, let's hope he can seize the day though .
EDIT: Yes, Parisi is definitely out for this one.
🚨🆕 In the new TGU podcast @SerieA_Aust sits down with @EmpoliFC & @NZ_Football defender Libby Cacace to discuss life at #Empoli, his Italian connections, @WgtnPhoenixFC, making the move to @SerieA_EN & more. Enjoy the conversation. #SerieA #Calcio 🇮🇹⚽️🇳🇿https://t.co/A7BXucVO26 pic.twitter.com/32oWDLsj3Q
— The Gentleman Ultra (@GentlemanUltra) January 26, 2023
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.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/01/28/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/torino-fc/3812773/
Alle 15.00 al Castellani la sfida contro il Torino: ecco la nostra formazione ⬇
— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) January 28, 2023
EMPOLI: Vicario; Cacace, De Winter, Satriano, Akpa Akpro, Marin, Caputo, Ebuehi, Bandinelli, Luperto, Baldanzi pic.twitter.com/G7FCsR3oI0
No Garbett for Torino
Hopefully he gets more opportunities
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!
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/04/italy/serie-a/as-roma/empoli-fc/3812785/
Edit - finished 2-0. Libby an unused sub
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
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/02/11/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/asd-spezia-calcio-2008/3812791/
And depending on how this plays out possibly more game time ahead.