Libby 79 mins in a 0-1 loss. Came off just after Verona scored.
Liberato Cacace (Empoli | Italy)
Libby 79 mins in a 0-1 loss. Came off just after Verona scored.
One of the better games I've seen from him - decent defensively and very potent going forward, was probably Empoli's most dangerous player in the first half. Very composed and finding his feet well at this level
Bad start to the league for Empoli. Second game and they're beaten by Monza 2-0. Libby initially on the bench and comes on after the second goal (around 57min)
Unfortunately Empoli sign a top-class LB on deadline day in Simone Bastoni. Sentiment online seems to be that Libby will still get his opportunities as Bastoni is quite versatile, but his playtime should drop a little. Unfortunate
(and NZP, quick fix - he started against Monza but was subbed off!)
(and NZP, quick fix - he started against Monza but was subbed off!)
Unfortunately Empoli sign a top-class LB on deadline day in Simone Bastoni. Sentiment online seems to be that Libby will still get his opportunities as Bastoni is quite versatile, but his playtime should drop a little. Unfortunate
(and NZP, quick fix - he started against Monza but was subbed off!)
(and NZP, quick fix - he started against Monza but was subbed off!)
Not a good sign if he’s had a couple of starts and they’ve signed two other LBs!
Edit: on the other hand having thought about it for a minute, it’s probably good for his development that he doesn’t have to take the total responsibility just yet.
Starts on the pine,with Pezzella getting the nod
A 2-0 win for Juve. Cacace an unused sub. Bit of a concern he was so quickly, usurped for the starting LB role.
Empoli start season with 3 straight losses to sit bottom. Away to NZP's Roma boys next. then host Inter after that. Tough season start.
Empoli start season with 3 straight losses to sit bottom. Away to NZP's Roma boys next. then host Inter after that. Tough season start.
He had an old team mate from the 20s/23s, Dane Schnell and some mates in the stadium watching, so a pity they never got to see him after he gifted them tickets.
Empoli (last) travel to Roma (3rd last). Tough draw to start the season for Empoli.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/17/italy/serie-a/as-roma/empoli-fc/4114831/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/17/italy/serie-a/as-roma/empoli-fc/4114831/
Empoli get thrashed 7-0 by Mourinho’s Roma. Libby watches the carnage from the pine
Better than being on the turf for that one
Next up top of the table Inter Milan (5-1 winner over AC on the weekend)!
At least that one's at home for Libby & his team mates, plus Inter have the distraction of a midweek UCL game.
But looking like a played 5 lost 5 start to the season for Empoli. The GD is already -12 after 4 games.
At least that one's at home for Libby & his team mates, plus Inter have the distraction of a midweek UCL game.
But looking like a played 5 lost 5 start to the season for Empoli. The GD is already -12 after 4 games.
Word on the street in Italy is that Zanetti is close to being sacked and that Aurelio Andreazzoli will re-join the club as head coach.
If memory serves me correctly, he brought Libby to Empoli on loan, so that could bode well.
But I have to say, from the comments I've read about Libby's performances in preseason, he might have slipped to the last choice LB in the team.
Still, what better opportunity than a change of coach?
If memory serves me correctly, he brought Libby to Empoli on loan, so that could bode well.
But I have to say, from the comments I've read about Libby's performances in preseason, he might have slipped to the last choice LB in the team.
Still, what better opportunity than a change of coach?
It's confirmed, Aurelio Andreazzoli replaces Zanetti as head coach. His third stint as Empoli gaffer. He's got his work cut out given the horrible start to the season Empoli have endured.
Hopefully as OiOi observed he can’t be blamed for results he wasn’t on the pitch for!
From Flying Kiwis. No wonder the coach was sacked.
Empoli have lost all four Serie A games so far and they’ve done so without scoring a single goal. Their only goal at all came in a 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat against a lower tier opponent (Cittadella). And, again, it’s not only Cacace who’s been shifted around. Sebastiano Luperto is literally the only bloke who has started all four league matches. It’s a sign of the shambolic state of the team that they have used 21 different starters in just four games – including three different goalkeepers. A mere month into the campaign they’re already in a relegation battle.
Empoli have lost all four Serie A games so far and they’ve done so without scoring a single goal. Their only goal at all came in a 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat against a lower tier opponent (Cittadella). And, again, it’s not only Cacace who’s been shifted around. Sebastiano Luperto is literally the only bloke who has started all four league matches. It’s a sign of the shambolic state of the team that they have used 21 different starters in just four games – including three different goalkeepers. A mere month into the campaign they’re already in a relegation battle.
Empoli (last) host Inter Milan (1st)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/24/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/fc-internazionale-milano/4114835/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/24/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/fc-internazionale-milano/4114835/
Libby on the pine. 0-0 after 25 mins.
Hasn’t had a look in yet. 76 minutes.
1-0 Inter and they have all the possession.
Edit: and two more non-Cacace subs for Empoli.
1-0 Inter and they have all the possession.
Edit: and two more non-Cacace subs for Empoli.
Finishes a 0-1 loss for Empoli. Libby watches it from the bench.
Empoli, 5 Serie A games, 5 losses, zero goals.
Still their last 3 games have been Juve, Roma & Inter. Hopefully things can pick up with the new gaffer, and he finds a way to give Cacace some mins.
Empoli, 5 Serie A games, 5 losses, zero goals.
Still their last 3 games have been Juve, Roma & Inter. Hopefully things can pick up with the new gaffer, and he finds a way to give Cacace some mins.
Maybe needs to keep in touch with Vicario and any other old mates like say Kosta who might have Angie’s Watsap!
Midweek round for Serie A.
Winless Empoli host Salernitana.
Libby initially on the pine but comes on after 13min to replace Pezzella.
Empoli currently leading 1-0 at the break.
Winless Empoli host Salernitana.
Libby initially on the pine but comes on after 13min to replace Pezzella.
Empoli currently leading 1-0 at the break.
It finishes that way. Empoli finally off the mark. Libby gets a passing mark for his performance. Pezzella injured his ankle, so Libby with a chance to start Sunday night at Bologna (11.30pm kick off)
Good stuff. The new, old coach with a quick reaction. Empoli now 2nd last
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/27/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/salernitana-calcio-1919/4114844/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/27/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/salernitana-calcio-1919/4114844/
Cacace starts against Bologna!
Cacace starts against Bologna!
Bologna (12th) up 1-0 at HT. Libby with an early 9th min yellow.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/01/italy/serie-a/bologna-fc-1909/empoli-fc/4114854/
Hooked off at the 69th minute with an injury. Looked pretty good going forward but poor in defense, should have done better for both goals and had many other lapses. Coach Andreazzoli seemed to be consoling him, he's reportedly a big Cacace fan
Hooked off at the 69th minute with an injury. Looked pretty good going forward but poor in defense, should have done better for both goals and had many other lapses. Coach Andreazzoli seemed to be consoling him, he's reportedly a big Cacace fan
The second goal… he’d obviously picked up a knock a couple of minutes before…but he got back into a good position, only for the shot to go between his legs and then beat the keeper.
Felt like Empoli were in it much more in the second half, but even so they look a little disjointed and not entirely playing for each other.
Match reports have been pretty harsh on Libby, though questions remain around how much that injury influenced him on the 2nd goal. Terrible result after their first win of the season
Empoli (19th) host Udinese (17th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/06/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/udinese-calcio/4114864/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/06/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/udinese-calcio/4114864/
Libby gets the nod to start once again.
So far it's been 70min and the score is still tied to 0-0.
VAR very much involved in the game, having disallowed an Empoli goal and an Udinese penalty kick.
20 min to go
So far it's been 70min and the score is still tied to 0-0.
VAR very much involved in the game, having disallowed an Empoli goal and an Udinese penalty kick.
20 min to go
Although a win would have seen them leapfrog Udinese, a draw is still a great result for a team that had a 1W 0D 6L record so far. Great for their confidence - and Libby's, who played the full game.
Final score, 0-0.
Final score, 0-0.
Cacace looked really, really good out there imo, great composure under pressure and good decision-making going forward. Hopefully staking a claim!
Cacace looked really, really good out there imo, great composure under pressure and good decision-making going forward. Hopefully staking a claim!
https://youtu.be/GX9HdXijmDo?si=tNX72Ha3OEWcS99w
Cacace with a pretty impotent defensive effort at 0:22. Opponent gets on the end of a cross completely unchallenged. But Cacace makes a good interception, drives forward and creates a chance for Empoli in the very next play featured in the vid. Had a quiet second half if these highlights are anything to go by.
Cacace with a pretty impotent defensive effort at 0:22. Opponent gets on the end of a cross completely unchallenged. But Cacace makes a good interception, drives forward and creates a chance for Empoli in the very next play featured in the vid. Had a quiet second half if these highlights are anything to go by.
Impotent or important?
Empoli (18th) travel to Fiorentina (4th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/23/italy/serie-a/acf-fiorentina/empoli-fc/4114875/
Empoli (18th) travel to Fiorentina (4th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/23/italy/serie-a/acf-fiorentina/empoli-fc/4114875/
Fiery Tuscan derby. At HT Empoli have a one-goal lead, Ciccio Caputo with the goal. He actually had a second, but it was scracthed off due to a handball in the lead up.
I've been listening on and off on the radio as I got ready for work. Libby is having a good game, made some good defensive plays and a couple of handy crosses.
Hopefully Empoli can do the business...3 points would be huge for them today.
I've been listening on and off on the radio as I got ready for work. Libby is having a good game, made some good defensive plays and a couple of handy crosses.
Hopefully Empoli can do the business...3 points would be huge for them today.
And Empoli do the business against 4th placed Fiorentina! Huge 2-0 win away from home in the derby.
The second goal came from super sub Gyasi only 4 min after coming on (82min). Libby Cacace taken off one minute later.
Empoli had only won 1 and scored 1 goal until today, so hopefully this is the start of something good.
For now Empoli end the round 1 point outside of the relegation zone.
They have a tough game coming up next week, Atalanta (6th) at home.
The second goal came from super sub Gyasi only 4 min after coming on (82min). Libby Cacace taken off one minute later.
Empoli had only won 1 and scored 1 goal until today, so hopefully this is the start of something good.
For now Empoli end the round 1 point outside of the relegation zone.
They have a tough game coming up next week, Atalanta (6th) at home.
