Empoli win the shootout and into the quarter finals.
Empoli (10th) travel to Hellas Verona (17th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/12/08/italy/serie-a/hellas-verona-fc/empoli-fc/4396904/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/12/08/italy/serie-a/hellas-verona-fc/empoli-fc/4396904/
First Kiwi to score in Serie A- Liberato Cacace!
It had been a bit of a frustrating game for him personally in an unfamiliar position, despite his team having a great game.
But here he gets the ball, checks back on to his left foot, gets a deflection and makes it 3-0.
(Verona quickly back with 3-1. Will keep it interesting!)
It had been a bit of a frustrating game for him personally in an unfamiliar position, despite his team having a great game.
But here he gets the ball, checks back on to his left foot, gets a deflection and makes it 3-0.
(Verona quickly back with 3-1. Will keep it interesting!)
First Kiwi to score in Serie A- Liberato Cacace!
It had been a bit of a frustrating game for him personally in an unfamiliar position, despite his team having a great game.
But here he gets the ball, checks back on to his left foot, gets a deflection and makes it 3-0.
(Verona quickly back with 3-1. Will keep it interesting!)
It had been a bit of a frustrating game for him personally in an unfamiliar position, despite his team having a great game.
But here he gets the ball, checks back on to his left foot, gets a deflection and makes it 3-0.
(Verona quickly back with 3-1. Will keep it interesting!)
He was due. After close offsides, hitting the post, etc. He seems wasted at left fullback for the All Whites at times, if he looks good in this position for Empoli I wouldn't mind De Vries at left full back and Cacace further forward. De Vries has a nice cross/free kick that Wood would appreciate.
First Kiwi to score in Serie A- Liberato Cacace!
It had been a bit of a frustrating game for him personally in an unfamiliar position, despite his team having a great game.
But here he gets the ball, checks back on to his left foot, gets a deflection and makes it 3-0.
(Verona quickly back with 3-1. Will keep it interesting!)
It had been a bit of a frustrating game for him personally in an unfamiliar position, despite his team having a great game.
But here he gets the ball, checks back on to his left foot, gets a deflection and makes it 3-0.
(Verona quickly back with 3-1. Will keep it interesting!)
He was due. After close offsides, hitting the post, etc. He seems wasted at left fullback for the All Whites at times, if he looks good in this position for Empoli I wouldn't mind De Vries at left full back and Cacace further forward. De Vries has a nice cross/free kick that Wood would appreciate.
Quite like that call tbh.
It's a small sample size of course, but it's not the first time he's played that far forward this season either.
Would quite like someone of his quality further up the pitch, so if he keeps going and assisting and scoring and playing further forward on a consistent basis for Empoli, then I think Bazeley is going to need to have a rethink. Seems to be adequate enough cover at LB in the form of de Vries, Sutton, Wilkins. Interesting times ahead!
To be honest, he looked much more comfortable when he could get back to his familiar LB role, knowing where the touch line was when he charged forward, sending crosses and corners! All very much muscle memory things he can do in his sleep.
Though he had success he certainly hasn’t settled into the new position. He seemed to get frustrated on occasions with not getting passes and perhaps not quite sure what runs to make and compared to LB, his body language was quite different.
I think it’s exciting that the manager values him that much he’s prepared to try him further forward and I think there’s a lot of potential for him there.
I wonder if it is with a plan to keep him at Empoli or with a view to selling him.
Though he had success he certainly hasn’t settled into the new position. He seemed to get frustrated on occasions with not getting passes and perhaps not quite sure what runs to make and compared to LB, his body language was quite different.
I think it’s exciting that the manager values him that much he’s prepared to try him further forward and I think there’s a lot of potential for him there.
I wonder if it is with a plan to keep him at Empoli or with a view to selling him.
I'd argue we've more depth with attacking midfielders than we do with LBs. Against big teams I'd want Cacace in our back 4 for the fact that's he's the best of them defensively and against small teams I'd prefer him overlapping and creating overloads.
I'm sure he can play wide left admirably, but I think picking FDV/Sutton/Wilkins at LB makes us worse than picking Singh/Old/Just wide left instead and playing Libby in a more natural role just due to the step down in quality of replacement.
I'm sure he can play wide left admirably, but I think picking FDV/Sutton/Wilkins at LB makes us worse than picking Singh/Old/Just wide left instead and playing Libby in a more natural role just due to the step down in quality of replacement.
Valley FC til I die?
After many close calls, posts hit and disallowed efforts, Liberato Cacace has finally scored his first goal in Europe… this time the luck going his way with a big deflection
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 8, 2024
His previous club goal had been for the Wellington Phoenix in March 2020 #FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/XAmHRQyIio
🤌🤌🤌 pic.twitter.com/0q3KJhvWja
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 8, 2024
Interesting position for Cacace to be receiving the ball. Looks like he played further forward (not in the defensive line for Verona's goal).
Interesting position for Cacace to be receiving the ball. Looks like he played further forward (not in the defensive line for Verona's goal).
Niche Cache.
Roberto D’Aversa is starting to look for ways to wrangle Cacace into his starting elevens, people. Joyful days are upon us.
Roberto D’Aversa is starting to look for ways to wrangle Cacace into his starting elevens, people. Joyful days are upon us.
Cacace has started five of Empoli’s last six games and was brought on at half-time of the other one. He’s had to work for it but the opportunities are coming thick and fast now. He’s also got a goal and two assists in his past four Serie A games, coinciding with being used more often in attack. Lovely things are happening in Empoli... although this run of form does highlight the sneaky matter of Cacace’s expiring contract. They might wanna do something about that soon because he’s free to talk to foreign clubs as of January 1.
Libby also had a chinwag with the FIFA website recently about his FIFA Best Eleven nomination. Turns out he was as baffled as the rest of us... with the FIFA crew confirming that his recognition was because of his Player of the Tournament honours at the OFC Nations Cup. That explains it. Irrespective of the reasoning, it’s a very cool thing to happen. Especially because CJ Bott also got equivalent status for the women’s longlist.
Libby also had a chinwag with the FIFA website recently about his FIFA Best Eleven nomination. Turns out he was as baffled as the rest of us... with the FIFA crew confirming that his recognition was because of his Player of the Tournament honours at the OFC Nations Cup. That explains it. Irrespective of the reasoning, it’s a very cool thing to happen. Especially because CJ Bott also got equivalent status for the women’s longlist.
Libby Cacace: “I went to bed early that night, and when I woke up the following morning I saw that I’d been tagged in various posts on Instagram. I was convinced it must’ve been photoshopped or it was some kind of joke. I clicked on the post more out of curiosity than anything else, and quickly realised it was real. I had to ask my friends and my agent for confirmation. I said to myself: 'How is this possible?'”
Libby up front to continue?
Empoli (10th) host Torino (12th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/12/13/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/torino-fc/4396914/
Empoli (10th) host Torino (12th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/12/13/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/torino-fc/4396914/
It wasn’t always a forward position- sometimes Pezella went forward and he dropped back and covered him. It seemed like there was quite a bit of tactical nuance. But it did seem like he wasn’t totally comfortable there yet.
As an idea I like it on the basis that he usually beats a player or 3 down the line. If he beats a player here he’s in on goal and then can shoot or square it for a tap in.
And my mate who compared him to Bale a year or two back will be happy to have his wisdom confirmed by a Serie A manager!
Very happy to see his comfort zones being challenged still early in his career. If he’s a player who can play CB, LB, LWB and LWF that’s fairly handy. Be good to see him unleash one or two of those Cacace specials. Especially as you say in the run up to contract talks.
As an idea I like it on the basis that he usually beats a player or 3 down the line. If he beats a player here he’s in on goal and then can shoot or square it for a tap in.
And my mate who compared him to Bale a year or two back will be happy to have his wisdom confirmed by a Serie A manager!
Very happy to see his comfort zones being challenged still early in his career. If he’s a player who can play CB, LB, LWB and LWF that’s fairly handy. Be good to see him unleash one or two of those Cacace specials. Especially as you say in the run up to contract talks.
I'd argue we've more depth with attacking midfielders than we do with LBs. Against big teams I'd want Cacace in our back 4 for the fact that's he's the best of them defensively and against small teams I'd prefer him overlapping and creating overloads.
I'm sure he can play wide left admirably, but I think picking FDV/Sutton/Wilkins at LB makes us worse than picking Singh/Old/Just wide left instead and playing Libby in a more natural role just due to the step down in quality of replacement.
I'm sure he can play wide left admirably, but I think picking FDV/Sutton/Wilkins at LB makes us worse than picking Singh/Old/Just wide left instead and playing Libby in a more natural role just due to the step down in quality of replacement.
Hmm.
I’d argue against the big teams we’ve lacked a goal threat.
Wood
Libby-Old
should be a combination that could score against many teams. That’s 3 players in top European leagues.
I think the amount we’d gain from Libby up front is more than we’d lose by having FDV at LB. Then Wood can have two quality wide players running at their FBs like he has at Forest and then IMO things can start to get a bit sexy!
Though it depends heavily on our midfield mix. Can we put Singh into a midfield role? Is one of the others good enough to feed Wood a l a Gibbs-White or Anderson?
Against small teams Sutton has shown himself at least as incisive as Libby. In fact I hope Sutton and Rufer get international contract offers after this season.
I haven’t seen Wilkins, but he’s playing a lot quite a decent level. And Jimmy McGarry has also come in and far from embarrassed himself in the SPL. To have a player who can do that forgotten, with utilities like Roux and Elliot currently unmentioned I think our FB depth isn’t bad.
It was recently leaked that Wood considers de Vries the best crosser in the AWs squad. The service that Wood gets in AWs games against the bigger teams remains generally poor.
He can often have very few touches, which seems such a waste of our red hot EPL striker. You sense he can be a frustrated figure at times for the AWs. He'll have some serious power within AWs camps, and if he says to Bazeley he wants FDV playing, well Baze will be listening.
I'd say FDV starting at LB, and Libby playing further forward is definitely a prospect whilst Old is injured, and Singh is still returning to his former self. A fit and in form duo of Old and Singh, will go a long way to improving service to the Woodsman - and then I reckon Libby is the LB.
I think to date Old has only played one game with Wood (non OFC opponents) and Singh has rarely played with the AWs skipper either since late 2021. Those 2 are key players leading into the WC, if the AWs are to do anything major.
He can often have very few touches, which seems such a waste of our red hot EPL striker. You sense he can be a frustrated figure at times for the AWs. He'll have some serious power within AWs camps, and if he says to Bazeley he wants FDV playing, well Baze will be listening.
I'd say FDV starting at LB, and Libby playing further forward is definitely a prospect whilst Old is injured, and Singh is still returning to his former self. A fit and in form duo of Old and Singh, will go a long way to improving service to the Woodsman - and then I reckon Libby is the LB.
I think to date Old has only played one game with Wood (non OFC opponents) and Singh has rarely played with the AWs skipper either since late 2021. Those 2 are key players leading into the WC, if the AWs are to do anything major.
0-0 at HT, some good touches (and a terrible one where he tried to take a corner kick short but miskicked the ball and it went right over the line for a goal kick).
A couple of shots and some good runs...it's an interesting role he's playing. A bit LM, a bit CM, a bit second striker...
He has been doing a LOT of running without the ball and often opening up space for his teammates to exploit or playing them into space
A couple of shots and some good runs...it's an interesting role he's playing. A bit LM, a bit CM, a bit second striker...
He has been doing a LOT of running without the ball and often opening up space for his teammates to exploit or playing them into space
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
Why I like Libby and Old rather than Singh, is Singh needs to direct traffic. He’s not a player to drive at a FB at speed and pull CBs out of position to create room for Wood. TBF this is what has made Gillian exciting- we don’t have a lot of wingers who run at their defenders.
It really depends on how we see ourselves playing. I feel I’m due a few exciting front foot moments with ball at feet from the AWs.
The other point is that if Singh is directing traffic 3 players ahead of him making runs is guna be more effective than him trying to hit Wood aerially.
Wood
Libby Old
Singh
Stamenic -Rufer
FDV Bindon Surman Payne
Paulsen
Hmm left Garbett (and McCowatt) out. I guess if he plays or comes on we change formation. He tends to shoot from distance, make late runs into the box or pass. I guess possibly box him with Singh in similar starting positions, but looking to move into different areas.
The other important key to using Wood is how and when to press. This has been a massive part of Forest’s success. If the front 4 can turn the ball over up high or force them to go long to our defense, then we can launch into an attack.
It really depends on how we see ourselves playing. I feel I’m due a few exciting front foot moments with ball at feet from the AWs.
The other point is that if Singh is directing traffic 3 players ahead of him making runs is guna be more effective than him trying to hit Wood aerially.
Wood
Libby Old
Singh
Stamenic -Rufer
FDV Bindon Surman Payne
Paulsen
Hmm left Garbett (and McCowatt) out. I guess if he plays or comes on we change formation. He tends to shoot from distance, make late runs into the box or pass. I guess possibly box him with Singh in similar starting positions, but looking to move into different areas.
The other important key to using Wood is how and when to press. This has been a massive part of Forest’s success. If the front 4 can turn the ball over up high or force them to go long to our defense, then we can launch into an attack.
0-0 at HT, some good touches (and a terrible one where he tried to take a corner kick short but miskicked the ball and it went right over the line for a goal kick).
A couple of shots and some good runs...it's an interesting role he's playing. A bit LM, a bit CM, a bit second striker...
He has been doing a LOT of running without the ball and often opening up space for his teammates to exploit or playing them into space
A couple of shots and some good runs...it's an interesting role he's playing. A bit LM, a bit CM, a bit second striker...
He has been doing a LOT of running without the ball and often opening up space for his teammates to exploit or playing them into space
Off at 74 mins (0-1) in a 0-1 loss
There’s a few Scottish lads in Italy now huh? Henderson captaining Empoli I think?
Fergusson at Bologna too I think
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
Fergusson at Bologna too I think
And of course McTominany at Napoli.
Empoli (10th) travel to top of the table Atalanta.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/12/22/italy/serie-a/atalanta-bergamo/empoli-fc/4396921/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/12/22/italy/serie-a/atalanta-bergamo/empoli-fc/4396921/
Certainly wasn’t planning on being awake for this, but on Cacace’s positional travels it looks like he’s at LCB with Pezella at LWB.
And he’s right in the thick of the action away from home at the end of the first half.
Currently 1-1 with Atalanta pressing.
Eck- and probably at fault for the goal as he loses a duel as his man gets a headed pass down to put it on a plate for his colleague. 2-1 Atalanta.
And he’s right in the thick of the action away from home at the end of the first half.
Currently 1-1 with Atalanta pressing.
Eck- and probably at fault for the goal as he loses a duel as his man gets a headed pass down to put it on a plate for his colleague. 2-1 Atalanta.
Pezzella and Libby both full games in a 3-2 loss.
Atlanta a 86th min winner.
Overall at the nearing the half way point of the season (17 of 38 games), Empoli at 10th are sitting much better than last campaign, and Cacace getting good mins.
Atlanta a 86th min winner.
Overall at the nearing the half way point of the season (17 of 38 games), Empoli at 10th are sitting much better than last campaign, and Cacace getting good mins.
Pezzella and Libby both full games in a 3-2 loss.
Atlanta a 86th min winner.
Overall at the nearing the half way point of the season (17 of 38 games), Empoli at 10th are sitting much better than last campaign, and Cacace getting good mins.
Atlanta a 86th min winner.
Overall at the nearing the half way point of the season (17 of 38 games), Empoli at 10th are sitting much better than last campaign, and Cacace getting good mins.
Just watched the highlights, Libby looked to be playing in the centre of defence. Was very limp for first two Atalanta goals, and limp-adjacent for the third.
He really needs to be stronger.....
Empoli (11th) host Genoa (13th)
Pezzella and Libby both full games in a 3-2 loss.
Atlanta a 86th min winner.
Overall at the nearing the half way point of the season (17 of 38 games), Empoli at 10th are sitting much better than last campaign, and Cacace getting good mins.
Atlanta a 86th min winner.
Overall at the nearing the half way point of the season (17 of 38 games), Empoli at 10th are sitting much better than last campaign, and Cacace getting good mins.
Just watched the highlights, Libby looked to be playing in the centre of defence. Was very limp for first two Atalanta goals, and limp-adjacent for the third.
He really needs to be stronger.....
He played as one of the 3 CBs. Sadly Mattia Viti, their best CB was injured and will be out for a few weeks. Don't think Libby is best suited as a CB. Sadly Atalanta are fully smashing it this year, so a one goal loss was honorable, especially with the De Ketelaere wonder goal that sealed it.
Still, not the best look for Libby.
Transfer market open IIRC in Italy already (or will open soon). I'll keep an eye out, Libby is off contract at the end of the season so anything is still possible at this stage.
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
Another start at centre back for Libby this afternoon at home against Genoa. Hopefully a stronger defensive display for him today.
Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.
Comes off at 80min (2-1) in a 2-1 home loss. Empoli with a pretty bad home record so far this season.
I skipped through the game, Libby seemed to start as a CB but was soon moved into a more advanced position on the left. Not really a LWB, more like a straight forward LM.
Had a great shot saved towards the end of the first half, and made some good runs forward. Empoli conceded within 20 seconds of the second half through a defensive error, and then missed a penalty to equalise. They conceded again through a counter attack and filly got their break with a nice Esposito header. After that they went searching for the equaliser but couldn't find it.
I skipped through the game, Libby seemed to start as a CB but was soon moved into a more advanced position on the left. Not really a LWB, more like a straight forward LM.
Had a great shot saved towards the end of the first half, and made some good runs forward. Empoli conceded within 20 seconds of the second half through a defensive error, and then missed a penalty to equalise. They conceded again through a counter attack and filly got their break with a nice Esposito header. After that they went searching for the equaliser but couldn't find it.
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
Libby on the pine as Empoli travel to Venezia.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/01/04/italy/serie-a/ssc-venezia/empoli-fc/4396950/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/01/04/italy/serie-a/ssc-venezia/empoli-fc/4396950/
Comes on chasing a win against cellar dwellers.
Doesn’t seriously threaten goal but has two shots blocked, winning a corner. He also goes down looking for a pen and lays off to the top of the box for a very wayward shot from Henderson.
Not his best run out, but a fairly eventful one, and not much defending to do from LWB, though he is watchful and makes a good tackle in the 1 v 1 I saw.
Doesn’t seriously threaten goal but has two shots blocked, winning a corner. He also goes down looking for a pen and lays off to the top of the box for a very wayward shot from Henderson.
Not his best run out, but a fairly eventful one, and not much defending to do from LWB, though he is watchful and makes a good tackle in the 1 v 1 I saw.
Empoli (12th) host Lecce (18th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/01/11/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-lecce/4396952/
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2025/01/11/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-lecce/4396952/