Liberato Cacace (Wrexham | Wales)

Nice win for Empoli, who needed to start getting on with some results.

Also good to see them get a couple of goals this morning too, although in matches I've seen of them they've been a little unlucky to not have bagged a few more goals and have a few more points in the bank. Such is football though.

For what it's worth, Fabiano Parisi lined up at LB/LWB for Fiorentina - Remember him? The perennial Libby blocker of the last couple of seasons who went down the road for €10 million in the off season. 

Highlights here.
I must say I am not an expert at defending crosses, but doesn't Libby sit too close to the CF in the first couple of Fiorentina chances? He's a touch too far from his man who almost gets the goal twice.

I've noticed this before, but always chalked it up to tactics. Now I'm just confused.
I get how diagonal runs work, but usually the full back will go into a CB position when the CB has gone wide to...in these instances, there is already a CB marking the striker...
Thoughts?

Empoli (17th) host Atalanta (6th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/10/30/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/atalanta-bergamo/4114884/

3-0 down in the 70th minute, yet Cacace's actually had quite a good game, mostly going forward. Quite slow on the second goal conceded (don't like how these lapses/errors are stacking up) but some excellent crosses, balls forward, and some tricky runs including many fouls won and a cheeky nutmeg or two. Been mentioned quite a bit this game, lot of play down Empoli's left

It ends 3-0 to Atalanta. Full game and a yellow card for Libby.
He got a 5.5 rating and was singled out as one of the best in his team.
Empoli back in the relegation zone although only on goal difference.
Next up is Frosinone who gave up a 3 goal lead at Cagliari and lost 4-3 (all in the space of 20 min!) on the weekend. They are certainly a contender in the fight to avoid relegation 

Empoli (19th) travel to Frosinone (12th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/06/italy/serie-a/frosinone-calcio/empoli-fc/4114897/

Subbed on at 77min with Empoli down 2-0. They crawl one back 9 minutes later through Ciccio Caputo, but Frosinone hold out for a very important 2-1 win.
Empoli drop to 19/20 though only 2 points away from 17th (safe from relegation) spot.
Next up a tough game away at Napoli. A good chance for Libby to say hello to some relations, but realistically Empoli will need a small miracle to get out of the Maradona with any points.

Torn loyalties in Petone. Napoli (4th) host Empoli (19th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/12/italy/serie-a/ssc-napoli/empoli-fc/4114910/

Libby starts. His first run on at the intimidating Maradona?

He's up against Azurri national team RB Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who broke into Serie A at an older age than Libby, when he was with Empoli season they got promoted 17/18.

Cacace given 96 odd minutes as Empoli snatch a stoppage time winner at Napoli! 

Fewer away fans than the Fever celebrate in the rain.

A fantastic vote of confidence in Cacace. And a famous win for Empoli. 

He’s also playing with Maldini. The second son of the famous Paolo was combining with him down the wing.  Wonder if Dura can get an autograph of his dad?

I watched this game. First time this season I have seen Libby play. Must say he was impressive.    He completely looks the part for a Série A player. He was excellent on attack with several drives down the flank and some good centres. He also did his job on defense. He has matured into a good pro. Even if Empoli get relegated this season he would be picked up by another Serie A club IMO. However Empoli are now out of the relegation zone. If they keep playing like this they could well stay up.

Yeah I watched the game too, and he was absolutely fantastic. Without a doubt his best Empoli game, and against his childhood club too. Had Politano in prison

Empoli's upset is likely to cost Rudi Garcia the Napoli job

From highlights looks like Berisha in goal for Empoli had a huge game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC6kAecHH4I

I know squat about the Italian football, but found it interesting that Giovanni Di Lorenzo the Napoli RB came into Serie A at an older age than Cacace (with a promoted Empoli) and now he's in the Italian national team. So don't rule out Libby getting to one of the bigger Italian clubs one day. Hopefully he locks in the starting LB role now until season end.

The shortest travel trip for any AW this week to Athens?  Champness similar I guess.

He must have played well. Him & the Empoli GK make Serie A TOTW.

🇳🇿 Liberato Cacace makes the @FotMob Serie A TOTW for his performance against Napoli. 👏 https://t.co/YnranQ1GvS

— FernsHub (@FernsHub) November 13, 2023

That is huge.

coochiee

He must have played well. Him & the Empoli GK make Serie A TOTW.

🇳🇿 Liberato Cacace makes the @FotMob Serie A TOTW for his performance against Napoli. 👏 https://t.co/YnranQ1GvS

— FernsHub (@FernsHub) November 13, 2023

Empoli (17th) host Sassuolo (15th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/26/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-sassuolo-calcio/4114916/

Any idea what the red spot on the left cheek is that a number of the players and the managers are sporting? 

It's an initiative aimed at raising awareness about violence against women. They do it fairly regularly in Serie A.
Sadly, last week yet another young woman was murdered by a jealous boyfriend, so they must have wanted to send a signal.

coochiee

Empoli (17th) host Sassuolo (15th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/11/26/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-sassuolo-calcio/4114916/

Crazy game. 2-2 at HT. Then Sssuolo 3-2, Empoli equaliser at 88min but Sassuolo's Berardi wins at 93!
Full game Libby.

In 5 games they’ve beaten Napoli and Fiorentina, but lost to everyone else. Topsy-turvy stuff!

Empoli (18th/3rd last) travel to Genoa (15th). Libby starts.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/02/italy/serie-a/genoa-cfc/empoli-fc/4114924/

Full game for Libby in a 1-1 draw.
Gets a respectable 6.8 in sofascore, too.

newzealandpower

Full game for Libby in a 1-1 draw.
Gets a respectable 6.8 in sofascore, too.

Was scanning the results in the dark- the goal Ca__ce….Cancellieri! Ah well. 

Empol (17th) host Lecce (13th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/11/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/us-lecce/4114935/

Rides the pine in a 1-1 draw. Empoli stay out of the relegation zone (albeit by a single point).
Next up is Torino (11th).

Emploi (18th) travel to Torino (11th).
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/16/italy/serie-a/torino-fc/empoli-fc/4114951/

Started and scored, but ruled offside! 1-0 down at the half. Cacace’s was their second disallowed goal so far

Unfortunately Torino get the 1-0 win. Libby full game & a yellow

https://t.co/vxYvC9dITT pic.twitter.com/jvPfYjp6zz

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 16, 2023

Empoli (18th) host Lazio (11th)

Riding the pine in a 2-0 loss. Tough season for Empoli who can't replicate last year's very respectable league campaign.

newzealandpower

Riding the pine in a 2-0 loss. Tough season for Empoli who can't replicate last year's very respectable league campaign.

Empoli(18th) have struggled in Serie A so far; unfortunately their malaise has afflicted Libby Cacace too

After 16 games in 22/23: 18pts; 13F, 20A, -7GD
Today: 12pts; 10F, 28A, -18GD

Cacace has already 1.7x more minutes than entire 22/23, but his output is down across the board pic.twitter.com/Vuz3MHWoVX

— Carlin 🇳🇿 (@carlxn_) December 17, 2023

That was as of last game. They had the same points-per-game at sixteen games as at thirty-eight last season; if they do that this season then they will end up with a points total that has not been enough to survive relegation in any season this decade or last.

Cacace is playing a lot more this season, but not producing the same as last season (so far). Possibly both a cause and effect of Empoli's poor form, though a few teammates will be in similar predicaments, of course. 

Early relegation 6 pointer? Empoli (19th/2nd last) travel to Cagliari (18th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/12/30/italy/serie-a/cagliari-calcio/empoli-fc/4114964/

Libby suits up in Sardinia.

Full game in a 0-0 draw. Cagliari with a disallowed goal and saved penalty.
Empoli are 19th/20, one point away from safety 

Empoli (19th/2nd last) host AC Milan (3rd). Soccerway is showing that Libby is suspended (yellow card accumulation?). He got a yellow last game against Caligari.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/07/italy/serie-a/empoli-fc/ac-milan/4114974/

Yipe no Libby, as Empoli lose 0-3.

Empoli drop to last, they have 13 points from 19 matches.
Safety is still only 2 points away but they really need to start turning their season around if they want to avoid the drop

Early relegation 6 pointer. Empoli (19th) travel to Hellas Verona (18th)
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/13/italy/serie-a/hellas-verona-fc/empoli-fc/4114987/