Napoli - Empoli match preview

By: Joe | September 19th, 2007

Empoli F.C. Napoli travel north to Tuscany to take on Empoli FC at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. Gigi Cagni took over the Tuscan side in January 2006 and led them to a surprising 10th place slot. The Brescia-born tactician proved it was no fluke as he guided Empoli to a 7th place finish last year. Consequently, Empoli will make their first appearance in Europe this season as they compete in the EUFA Cup. The European date also marks Cagni’s first foray into continental competition.

The inexperience of the Tuscan side to handle competing on various fronts may prove to be their undoing this Sunday. Cagni has stated he will field a reserve side on Thursday as Empoli travel to Switzerland to take on last year’s Swiss Super League champions, F.C. Zurich. However, while Empoli’s main protagonists may not make the trip, Cagni will still have to determine how to juggle the roster to accommodate four fixtures in eleven days (and three in six days). Empoli travel to Zurich on Thursday, host Napoli on Sunday, travel to Catania on Wednesday and host Palermo the following Sunday.

Here’s hoping Azzurrini starlet Sebastian Giovinco plays all 90 against FC Zurich and has nothing left in the tank for Napoli. The Juventus-owned playmaker has the creativity and footwork to slice open defenses and is a constant threat to shoot. Thus far this year, Giovinco has come in off the bench in each of Empoli’s three mathces.

Despite sitting 17th in the table, Empoli have played better than their record would indicate. I know, I know…how many times have you heard that? While it may be a cliche, it does have some truth. Empoli have played three of the toughest sides in Serie A, two on the road, and have been unlucky to only come away with a point. They hung in there with the rebuilt Fiorentina in Giornata 1 for the first half before succumbing to the pace and skill of Giampaolo Pazzini and Riccardo Montelivo. Next up was a date hosting Inter Milan and Empoli created some good scoring opportunities but were done in by a brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Last week, Empoli finally got off the mark by playing a dire nil-nil draw against Lazio in Rome. Cagni has to be targeting the next two Serie A fixtures as an opportunity to improve their position and distance themselves from the drop zone.

Injury concerns may also keep out three of Empoli’s regular starting XI. Defender Daniele Adani and midfielders Francesco Mairanini and Luca Antonini were all held out of the Lazio match and may not be recovered in time for Sunday’s match. None of them were called up for the EUFA Cup match against FC Zurich.

Napoli are riding a wave of optimism after impressive consecutive victories. All Serie A squads will have to deal with three league matches in seven days so Napoli’s depth will also come into play. After traveling to Empoli on Sunday, Napoli host the Socialist Republic of Livorno on Wednesday and Genoa next Sunday. The calendar turns extremely difficult in October with Napoli playing all the Serie A heavyweights except AC Milan and Lazio. The number of points bagged in these next three matches will determine if the tifosi can dream of a top 10 or EUFA Cup spot or battle to stay above the drop all year long.

Forza Napoli!