Liberato Cacace (Wrexham | Wales)

Comes on at 53min for Pezzella (1x assist) with the score at 1-1, but Lazio win it late with a goal from Judas Pedro, 2-1 the final score.
Libby with a decent shift and a good chance up front. Looked like he could have done a bit more on the second goal. I think he was in between Pedro and a winger which happened more than once so it might have to do with how Empoli defend more than anything.

As noted by NZP elsewhere 

Libby rides the pine in Empoli's (11th) narrow loss 0-1 to a good Napoli (1st) side. Empoli are looking solid as so far this season.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/20/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/ssc-napoli/4396833/

Also, it was a joke of a penalty. Really annoying to see stuff like that in the Serie A. Napoli got very lucky to come away with the 3 points.

Interesting tidbit of information, the Empoli coach went home after the game with some sort of facial paralysis. He looked a bit strange at the end of the highlights, but I've done some reading and apparently this is often a temporary thing, so best of luck to him and may he keep going like this, Empoli are exciting to watch - much more so than Roma at the moment anyway

Empoli (11th) travel to Parma (17th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/27/italy/serie-a/parma-fc/empoli-fc/4396848/

Libby on the pine

Ends 1-1. Empoli took the lead after 35 and held it until 80min (they also hit the bar).
Then Parma first equalise (80min), then they get a penalty almost right away (83min) and miss it!
Sadly, it's just splinters for Libby.

newzealandpower

Ends 1-1. Empoli took the lead after 35 and held it until 80min (they also hit the bar).
Then Parma first equalise (80min), then they get a penalty almost right away (83min) and miss it!
Sadly, it's just splinters for Libby.

Bit of a concern if they’re doing well and he’s one of the changes! Do you think he’ll look for a move? What are his options?

If you read back further in the thread, were a tonne of rumours of Libby being on the move from Empoli in pre season. Other Italian clubs (Serie A & Serie B) and Germany also from memory.

This is the last year of his contract so yes you'd presume if he's not getting game time he'll be looking for a move. Maybe even the Jan window if Empoli want to get some sort of fee.

He missed a matchup against Parma's 21 yr old Italian born Socceroo gun Alessandro Circati. Circati who can play RB or CB, is currently injured. 

There was a point we had Chris Wood, plus 4-5 others starting in top leagues. 

Bell seems to be back in Norway. 
Everyone else is either off the bench (Stamenic, Garbett, Libby, McCowatt) or injured like Old or skipped town in De Vries case. 

Add to that the League One woes and suddenly this golden generation is looking a bit jaded. After Bindon, Crocombe the most regular starter in a very relegated team. And no one in the Championship, though Stamenic probably wishes he was.

Our only other starter of late in a top flight has been Ryan Thomas! 

martinb

newzealandpower

Ends 1-1. Empoli took the lead after 35 and held it until 80min (they also hit the bar).
Then Parma first equalise (80min), then they get a penalty almost right away (83min) and miss it!
Sadly, it's just splinters for Libby.

Bit of a concern if they’re doing well and he’s one of the changes! Do you think he’ll look for a move? What are his options?

No one really knows. It's too early to tell and Empoli don't have a lot of depth, so he's just an injury or suspension away to seeing the pitch again.
So far he's played in 5/9 matches, always as a sub, and is consistently making the bench. What is concerning is that he's only seen 99min of playing time though.
But Empoli are defying the odds and are playing really well. I don't think Empoli would get much of a fee if he left in January, so they might gamble and keep him. If they are looking like they will stay up, they might always offer him an extra year or two and give him more game time to see if they can then attract a buyer and make more money on the transfer.
It's still early times I think. Disappointing he's not playing much, but he's still there waiting for his chance - in the Serie A. It's a good place to be

newzealandpower

martinb

newzealandpower

Ends 1-1. Empoli took the lead after 35 and held it until 80min (they also hit the bar).
Then Parma first equalise (80min), then they get a penalty almost right away (83min) and miss it!
Sadly, it's just splinters for Libby.

Bit of a concern if they’re doing well and he’s one of the changes! Do you think he’ll look for a move? What are his options?

No one really knows. It's too early to tell and Empoli don't have a lot of depth, so he's just an injury or suspension away to seeing the pitch again.
So far he's played in 5/9 matches, always as a sub, and is consistently making the bench. What is concerning is that he's only seen 99min of playing time though.
But Empoli are defying the odds and are playing really well. I don't think Empoli would get much of a fee if he left in January, so they might gamble and keep him. If they are looking like they will stay up, they might always offer him an extra year or two and give him more game time to see if they can then attract a buyer and make more money on the transfer.
It's still early times I think. Disappointing he's not playing much, but he's still there waiting for his chance - in the Serie A. It's a good place to be

 I feel like we've all got to remember that last sentence. Obviously Libby (and us fans) don't want to settle and will always want more, but what he's achieved already for a Kiwi footballer is huge. He's just ticked over 60 competitive appearances for a Serie A team at the age of 24. Fudgeing phenomenal

What do the fans say about him? They’ve had a fairly good look over the last couple of years. 

martinb

What do the fans say about him? They’ve had a fairly good look over the last couple of years. 

To be honest, from what I've read, a good chunk of supporters don't rate him too highly. His defensive performances haven't been great and he's struggled to show his worth in a team that last year only escaped relegation on the last game of the season.
They are a different team this year and I'm quietly hopeful he'll get to show what he can do, especially on attack. Pezzella is playing quite well though, so he needs to wait for his chance. And the fact that he's in pretty much in every match day squad and regularly coming off the bench is a rather positive sign.

Midweek round and Empoli host Inter (2nd). Libby starts on the left - what a vote of confidence! So far it's still 0-0 after 18min

Crazy game so far. Inter had a goal disallowed by VAR at 21min, then Empoli had a CB sent off ar 31min and this will drastically alter the course of the game.
Libby also in the ref's notebook, earning himself a yellow card at 38min

Tough ask for Empoli, and Inter take the lead at 50min through Frattesi who gets another one at 67

It ends 3-0, Libby with the full game. Hard to gauge a team's performance when they play a much stronger opponent with 10 men for an hour. Will post highlights when they're available 

Empoli (12th) host Como (15th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/04/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/calcio-como/4396862/

On in the 84th min (1-0) in a 1-0 

Empoli (11th) travel to Lecce (20th/last).

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/08/italy/serie-a/us-lecce/empoli-fc/4396877/

Starting at CM? 

Libby provides the assist for Empoli’s goal in a 1-1 draw.

Wusty Wab

Libby provides the assist for Empoli’s goal in a 1-1 draw.

Denied by the post to keep us waiting for his first Serie A goal as well. 😮‍💨

Palo di Cacace! ❌@EmpoliFC vicino al raddoppio! 🔥#LecceEmpoli pic.twitter.com/Y9br0zOS8A

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) November 8, 2024

Keeper getting just enough of a hand to it to deny the Kiwi.

Still hasn’t scored since leaving the Nix. He’s had some cursed luck in that respect, with at least 2 goals ruled out for offside and now this

Great to see him start and with the assist

Link to the highlights.
Tremendous fingertips save by yhr GK to deny Libby who was so unlucky the rebound didn't fall kindly for him.
A yellow and a full game for him. He definitely put in a good show. Hopefully he gets more games like this one and starts hitting the back of the net too.

Empoli (10th) host Udinese (9th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/25/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/udinese-calcio/4396882/

Cacace starting as a LM in a 442, with Pezella at LB behind him. 

Empoli 1-0 up after 37 minutes, Udinese pushing for an equaliser.

Ref, captain and manager with a red streak on their cheek?

Or all players had it, it’s just washed off some players?

So Libby has gone from starting at a relegation battling club to starting at a mid-table club.

A reward for performances? Or is he in the shop window for January? 

martinb

Cacace starting as a LM in a 442, with Pezella at LB behind him. 

Empoli 1-0 up after 37 minutes, Udinese pushing for an equaliser.

Ref, captain and manager with a red streak on their cheek?

Or all players had it, it’s just washed off some players?

It's to raise awareness about violence against women. They do it once or twice a year...
Libby got the assist for Pellegri's opener. Second half just started. Empoli lead 1-0.

Cacace assist! (I mean technically, Pellegri made the goal for himself, but still!) Cacace assist! Sing it from the rooftops

Edit: Yeah the XG for that shot was 0.04, but we'll take it

Two starts in the midfield in a row for Carcace... arguably playing at the highest level of any other NZ midfielders.

Is this a position NZ needs to look at for the International team, playing him higher up and having Sutts or similar start as a LB?

Libby a full game in a 1-1 draw. Pezella came off at 66 mins, so Liberato may have slipped back into the LWB spot then. Empoli had 3 CBs and stay 10th. Next a trip to the San Siro to play Milan.

I think Old and/or Singh (if not central for the AWs) still start down the left for the national team. But hey if neither of those players are fit or in form, yeah Cacace there and Sutton/FDV/Wilkins at LB is an option. No harm Libby getting some playing time in midfield at such a high level.

With the AWs now apparently set on a back 4, Libby likely won't be bombing forward so much against the bigger teams, which could be a shame, as he's often one of the few goal scoring threats. Though his crossing is often poor, and his assist stats ain't flash since leaving NZ.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/25/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/udinese-calcio/4396882/

Another assist for Liberato Cacace, very similar to the one, also to Pietro Pellegri 🤌

Funky thing here is Cacace started as a left winger in Empoli’s 1-1 draw with Udinese #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/kdKsdIMg7X

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) November 25, 2024

Cacace 🇳🇿🇮🇹#EmpoliUdinese pic.twitter.com/zrGI50hyUt

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) November 25, 2024

Empoli (10th) travel to the San Siro. AC Milan (7th) juggling midweek UCL & Italian Cup games.

Libby on for Pezzella at HT (2-0) in a 3-0 loss

Cacace has been nominated for The Best FIFA World 11, which means according to FIFA he is one of the 22 best defenders on the planet. Which, while we love him, is frankly insane. But good on him!

https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2024/mens-11

Coppa Italia R16 tie tomorrow morning. Empoli with an away trip to Fiorentina for the Tuscan Derby. 
Empoli offered to call the game off after Edoardo Bove, a Fiornentina and Italy U21 player suffered a suspected cardiac arrest on the pitch last weekend. Luckily, he seems to have survived and should make a full recovery, but it was a harrowing experience, much like Eriksen at the Euros

Fitzy

Cacace has been nominated for The Best FIFA World 11, which means according to FIFA he is one of the 22 best defenders on the planet. Which, while we love him, is frankly insane. But good on him!

https://www.fifa.com/en/the-best-fifa-football-awards/2024/mens-11

Such a random list. How did someone come up with this?

Libby starts this morning 

At least one from each confed, isn't it?

Crazy game.
Libby starts
Empoli 1-0 at 4min
1-1 at 54min
Libby comes off at 64min
Fiorentina 2-1 at 70min
Empoli equalise 2-2 at 75min

Currently 79min on the clock. Good experience for Libby no doubt and a derby is always a derby