Liberato Cacace (Empoli | Italy)
I couldn't believe how much he's bulked up since moving to Italy. Saw him at the game on Sunday and man he's almost a different person. I guess that's what it takes to play I'm Serie A
Empoli (14th) host Lecce (16th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/03/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-lecce/3812851/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/03/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-lecce/3812851/
Match pushed back by an hour (5.30 am NZ time) due to a fire in the Empoli dressing room!
It was scheduled to be on Sky Sport 7, so hopefully it's still on with the delayed kick off time! Libby named on the bench though, as happens when Parisi is available.
It was scheduled to be on Sky Sport 7, so hopefully it's still on with the delayed kick off time! Libby named on the bench though, as happens when Parisi is available.
Empoli with a 1-0 win. Libby an unused sub.
One of his team mates on the bench got shown a straight red at 90 mins. So must have been some hot tempered dramas late on
One of his team mates on the bench got shown a straight red at 90 mins. So must have been some hot tempered dramas late on
Empoli with a 1-0 win. Libby an unused sub.
One of his team mates on the bench got shown a straight red at 90 mins. So must have been some hot tempered dramas late on
One of his team mates on the bench got shown a straight red at 90 mins. So must have been some hot tempered dramas late on
Empoli with a 1-0 win. Libby an unused sub.
One of his team mates on the bench got shown a straight red at 90 mins. So must have been some hot tempered dramas late on
One of his team mates on the bench got shown a straight red at 90 mins. So must have been some hot tempered dramas late on
He is hands down the best young Italian LB in Serie A, so yes no shame in being his understudy.
Good win for Empoli. The closer they get to being certain of avoiding relegation, the sooner we will see Libby getting more minutes I believe..
Empoli (14th) travel to AC Milan (3rd)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/07/italy/serie-a/ac-milan/empoli-fc/3812865/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/07/italy/serie-a/ac-milan/empoli-fc/3812865/
Subbed on in the 78th min for a CM (so some type of defensive reshuffle?) as Empoli hold on for a 0-0 draw at the 80,000 seater San Siro.
Cacace played in a midfield position in front of Parisi, quite different than what he’s done before. Sometimes he provided width,but mostly he tucked into the midfield and made runs in to out.
Empoli were on the back foot, but held on for the 0-0 after a Gitoud goal was disallowed for clear handball.
Cacace almost made room for a shot for his teammate, with a characteristic run into some space at the top of the box. But the defense closed them down quickly.
Perhaps quite a good sign the coach sees him as versatile and wants him on the field. I think every other time he’s had minutes it’s been for Parisi. Perhaps as a counter option? Definitely none of the crossing today- there was almost no one in an Empoli shirt ahead of him!
Empoli were on the back foot, but held on for the 0-0 after a Gitoud goal was disallowed for clear handball.
Cacace almost made room for a shot for his teammate, with a characteristic run into some space at the top of the box. But the defense closed them down quickly.
Perhaps quite a good sign the coach sees him as versatile and wants him on the field. I think every other time he’s had minutes it’s been for Parisi. Perhaps as a counter option? Definitely none of the crossing today- there was almost no one in an Empoli shirt ahead of him!
Cacace played in a midfield position in front of Parisi, quite different than what he’s done before. Sometimes he provided width,but mostly he tucked into the midfield and made runs in to out.
Empoli were on the back foot, but held on for the 0-0 after a Gitoud goal was disallowed for clear handball.
Cacace almost made room for a shot for his teammate, with a characteristic run into some space at the top of the box. But the defense closed them down quickly.
Perhaps quite a good sign the coach sees him as versatile and wants him on the field. I think every other time he’s had minutes it’s been for Parisi. Perhaps as a counter option? Definitely none of the crossing today- there was almost no one in an Empoli shirt ahead of him!
Empoli were on the back foot, but held on for the 0-0 after a Gitoud goal was disallowed for clear handball.
Cacace almost made room for a shot for his teammate, with a characteristic run into some space at the top of the box. But the defense closed them down quickly.
Perhaps quite a good sign the coach sees him as versatile and wants him on the field. I think every other time he’s had minutes it’s been for Parisi. Perhaps as a counter option? Definitely none of the crossing today- there was almost no one in an Empoli shirt ahead of him!
Subbed on in the 78th min for a CM (so some type of defensive reshuffle?) as Empoli hold on for a 0-0 draw at the 80,000 seater San Siro.
Cacace played in a midfield position in front of Parisi, quite different than what he’s done before. Sometimes he provided width,but mostly he tucked into the midfield and made runs in to out.
Empoli were on the back foot, but held on for the 0-0 after a Gitoud goal was disallowed for clear handball.
Cacace almost made room for a shot for his teammate, with a characteristic run into some space at the top of the box. But the defense closed them down quickly.
Perhaps quite a good sign the coach sees him as versatile and wants him on the field. I think every other time he’s had minutes it’s been for Parisi. Perhaps as a counter option? Definitely none of the crossing today- there was almost no one in an Empoli shirt ahead of him!
Empoli were on the back foot, but held on for the 0-0 after a Gitoud goal was disallowed for clear handball.
Cacace almost made room for a shot for his teammate, with a characteristic run into some space at the top of the box. But the defense closed them down quickly.
Perhaps quite a good sign the coach sees him as versatile and wants him on the field. I think every other time he’s had minutes it’s been for Parisi. Perhaps as a counter option? Definitely none of the crossing today- there was almost no one in an Empoli shirt ahead of him!
Yeah was a DM if memory serves me correctly. Played CB for NZ youth sides which is certaionly a choice in retrospect
I'm on record here saying that I thought DM would be the position where he ends up playing long term. I got that totally wrong, his development as a Left Back really took me by surprise.
Libby's emergence is the only good thing that came from the DK hire.
Libby's emergence is the only good thing that came from the DK hire.
I'm on record here saying that I thought DM would be the position where he ends up playing long term. I got that totally wrong, his development as a Left Back really took me by surprise.
Libby's emergence is the only good thing that came from the DK hire.
Libby's emergence is the only good thing that came from the DK hire.
DK also gave Singh his first opportunities as well?
Didn't he also give Keegan Smith a starting stint? 😂
I'm on record here saying that I thought DM would be the position where he ends up playing long term. I got that totally wrong, his development as a Left Back really took me by surprise.
Libby's emergence is the only good thing that came from the DK hire.
Libby's emergence is the only good thing that came from the DK hire.
DK also gave Singh his first opportunities as well?
Yes but very very reluctantly iirc.
Liberato Cacace came on in the 78th minute but ended up playing 20 as Empoli ground out a goalless draw against AC Milan at the San Siro. Olivier Giroud had a late winner disallowed by VAR. Easy to forget the ridiculously high level he’s playing at. pic.twitter.com/Qqa0R6SODp
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 8, 2023
Libby said in an interview that the Empoli coaches would be watching his All Whites matches vs China. Maybe seeing him get further forward and be attacking (which he could do with the 5 at the back) cemented the idea for them that he wasn't just a defensive player.
I think they were very aware of the kind of player they had. They’d researched and tracked him and Libby talked about making forward runs as part of his first interview.
I think this was partly to lock down the defense, while also leaving open the possibility of a counter. For example he got into the box hoping for a cross in the 93rd minute!
I think this was partly to lock down the defense, while also leaving open the possibility of a counter. For example he got into the box hoping for a cross in the 93rd minute!
Empoli (14th) travel to Cremonese (19th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/14/italy/serie-a/us-cremonese/empoli-fc/3812871/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/14/italy/serie-a/us-cremonese/empoli-fc/3812871/
Unused sub in a 1-0 loss. Unfortunately sort of result that means Empoli are still a chance of Relegation with 8 rounds left (10 pts above the drop zone).
Once Empoili are safe, you'd think higher chance Cacace will get some minutes with Parisi likely off at season end.
Once Empoili are safe, you'd think higher chance Cacace will get some minutes with Parisi likely off at season end.
I expected him to get minutes
Cremonese won't give up on tryinf to avoid relegation. They beat Roma twice (once in the cup and once in the league) and now Empoli. Important points for them
Cremonese won't give up on tryinf to avoid relegation. They beat Roma twice (once in the cup and once in the league) and now Empoli. Important points for them
Empoli (15th) host Inter Milan (6th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/23/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/fc-internazionale-milano/3812881/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/23/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/fc-internazionale-milano/3812881/
On Sky Sport 7 at 10:25pm. Libby on the bench.
Parisi on an early yellow
Libby rides the pine in a 0-3 loss. Lukaku with a double.
Empoli 15th, 6 pts above the drop zone, with 7 games left.
Empoli 15th, 6 pts above the drop zone, with 7 games left.
Empoli (15th) travel to Sassuolo (13th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/30/italy/serie-a/us-sassuolo-calcio/empoli-fc/3812897/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/04/30/italy/serie-a/us-sassuolo-calcio/empoli-fc/3812897/
Libby on the pine.
Oh no. Just checked the game timeline on goal.com. Empoli up 1-0... other team down to 10 players at 77mins! Conceed a goal at 82mins. 1-1. Libby on at 84min and conceeds a pen in 90+4. Match ends, Sassuolo 2, Empoli 1.
90' + 8' Second Half ends, Sassuolo 2, Empoli 1.
D. Berard
Penalty Goal
Penalty Goal
90' + 7' Goal! Sassuolo 2, Empoli 1. Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the top right corner.
90' + 4' Penalty conceded by Liberato Cacace (Empoli) after a foul in the penalty area.
Libby Cacace learned a valuable Serie A lesson this morning about how little contact it can take to concede a 94th minute match-winning penalty #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/0Zux7CVaoa
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) April 30, 2023
Ouch
that is so soft!!!
To make matters worse, Sassuolo scored both goals while down to 10 men. But my word what a joke of a penalty. What is VAR there for I ask? If you look closely, Berardi hits Libby with his arm first so if the subsequent contact is enough to be a foul, why isn't the initial contact I ask?
And how does a grown man, an athlete at his peak, fall to the ground after the slightest of grazes?
Makes a mockery of it all in my view
And how does a grown man, an athlete at his peak, fall to the ground after the slightest of grazes?
Makes a mockery of it all in my view
Empoli (15th) host Bologna (9th). Empoli (lost their last 3 games) 5 pts above the drop zone. A win would ease those relegation concerns.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/04/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/bologna-fc-1909/3812906/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/04/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/bologna-fc-1909/3812906/
I'm calling it now - a huge win this morning ...... 3-nil up 20 Minutes to go! Great win for Empoli! Big step to staying up!
Finished 3-1. Libby an unused sub
And yes those relegation worries are majorly eased now
And yes those relegation worries are majorly eased now
Empoli (15th) host Salernitana (14th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/08/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/salernitana-calcio-1919/3812912/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/05/08/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/salernitana-calcio-1919/3812912/
Empoli win 2-1. Libby an unused sub. Empoli up to 14th, 11 pts above the drop zone now with 4 rounds.
After this weekend's games, their Serie A status should hopefully be confirmed. Then opening up the increased chance of Cacace getting mins in final 3 matches.
After this weekend's games, their Serie A status should hopefully be confirmed. Then opening up the increased chance of Cacace getting mins in final 3 matches.