Comes on at 65min (1-1) in a 3-2 amazing win against Torino. Empoli (2-1 up) conceded the equaliser in the 91st but then scored the winner in the 94th! And Libby has been credited with the assist!
Empoli soar to 15th though with a game in hand over the 3 teams below them who can catch up/overtake them.
Just watched the highlights. Libby did something really really good and yet he seemed not to celebrate after they scored. Did anyone watch the game live? Seems odd when you've basically won your team 3 massive points in the relegation battle. Curious!
— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) April 9, 2024
In other words, Libby Cacace picked one hell of a moment to provide his first assist in Italian league football...
It was Cacace who instigated the move with that one-two. He then stuck with it after the defender had seemed to get goalside of him. Never gave up on the lost cause and then crept around the edge to keep the ball in play at the byline. Easy cutback to M’Baye Niang and there ya go. 3-2 to Empoli. The stadium went nuts. All except for Cacace himself, who walked away as casually as if he had the crown jewels hidden under his jersey and was trying to evade detection. Don’t think his teammates didn’t recognise though. They were quick to mob him when the final whistle blew.
This is his second full season with Empoli after half a year before that. His 47th appearance in Serie A, combining for close to 2800 minutes, and that was his first goal contribution. Don’t think he hasn’t gone close because he’s been on corner kick duty lately and infamously had a banging goal disallowed a few weeks back, so this moment had been getting closer and closer. He just had to save it for when it mattered most, right?
Heartbreak from Empoli and Libby, who comes on at 84min (0-0), only to see his team concede a goal only 4 minutes later and lose the match 1-0.
Empoli stay 16th, 2 points above relegation, but now have played one more game than Verona, Frosinone and Sassuolo who could potentially overtake or catch them up by the end of the round.
6 matches remaining, and they are all tough fixtures:
Comes on at 82min (1-0), in a crucial 1-0 win. Empoli up to 15th (31 points), +4 on Frosinone who are in the last relegation spot (but have a game in hand).
Yes Empoli have done the double on the reigning Serie A champs, his boyhood club, this season. The first 1-0 away in Naples was epic as Empoli defended all match long, to pinch it at the death. Libby had a full game that day.
Empoli hosting Frosinone in a fortnight is going to be a big affair.
To be fair Napoli's title defence season has been abysmal...but still, for a club like Empoli to do the double.. that was something special, especially for Libby, given his Napoli affiliations.
Empoli are making it hard for themselves this season though, they lost to Atalanta 2-0 overnight. Libby started on the pine, but was subbed on at 25' (0-0). He replaced a CB but moved to the left, with Pezzella moving into the center of defense.
Empoli are one spot above relegation, and +2 over Udinese. Frosinone, Empoli and Hellas Verona all on 31 points, Cagliari on 32.
Next up, arguably the most important match so far, at home vs Frosinone who beat the whipping boys of the league Salernitata 3-0. A win for Empoli would be huge. Though they still have to go to Rome to play Lazio, then are away at Udinese for another relegation battle, before finishing the season at home vs Roma who are still fighting for a UCL spot. 4 points from the two relegation battles might be enough.
I really hope it isn't my team Roma who sends them down in the last game. I've always had a soft spot for Empoli who had a terrific team and punched well above their weight in the 00s. I had half their team in my fantasy football and won a good amount of money thanks to them...
