Empoli made the short trip to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday having not won there since 1997. A victory against Fiorentina would have sent earthquakes rivalling those on Friday evening through the Tuscan capital. It wasn’t to be. Yet, the 1–1 draw against Vincenzo Montella’s side, and the manner of the Azzurri’s performance, are at least starting to send tremors up the Serie A ladder.
Before Sunday’s Derby Dell’Arno, the last time Empoli and Fiorentina met was in November 2011 in the fourth round of the Coppa Italia. The Azzurri were in Serie B but were fortunate to remain in the league come the end of the season. Narrowly avoiding relegation prompted the arrival of current coach Maurizio Sarri before the following campaign, which, amazingly, ended in a play-off final defeat to Livorno. 12 months later, Sarri bested his previous performance with Empoli as the club secured promotion to Italy’s top tier.
Despite the Azzurri’s remarkable success under Sarri, they were widely tipped to struggle in Serie A this season due to their small financial muscle and lack of renowned quality. Their results in the first few months justified those predictions as one win in their opening 10 matches made for grim reading. The Tuscans and Sarri were receiving endless plaudits for their attacking verve, but ultimately their performances were not securing the required points.
Fast forward to the end of the Derby Dell’Arno and Empoli lie 14th in Serie A, five points above the relegation zone and are unbeaten in their last seven matches. It has been an amazing turnaround from Sarri who has stood by his word and not sacrificed Empoli’s attacking, positive identity for a more pragmatic approach. If anything, the Azzurri have intensified their tempo, pressing and possession game in order to forest the points that were previously sliding through their fingers.
Against Fiorentina, it was another point gained. Having fallen behind to a quite stunning strike from Juan Manuel Vargas, Empoli continued to play from the back and press the Viola as high as possible. Their goal may have come from a set-piece but the identity of Sarri’s team never altered as of Empoli’s 353 attempted passes, 65% were directed forward. The last time the Azzurri tasted defeat, Sarri stressed how important it was for Empoli not to compromise their style.
“We’ve been working together for three years, so we have our own identity. Even if we end bottom of the table, we must always play our style of football,” Sarri Said.
Another branch of Empoli’s identity in the years before and during Sarri’s reign has been confidence in youth. In the past Antonio Di Natale, Sebastian Giovinco, Claudio Marchisio, Ignazio Abate and even rival coach Vincenzo Montella had played in the small industrial town between Florence and Pisa. In the current squad, there are high hopes for Daniele Rugani, Elseid Hysaj and the weekend’s goalscorer Lorenzo Tonelli.
The average age of Sarri’s Empoli is slightly increased by the presence of veteran strikers Massimo Maccarone and Francesco Tavano, but the 55-year old coach still believes that the Tuscans attacking, high-tempo approach is born within the club’s youth academy and is therefore unleashed with greater accuracy on the pitch.
In months to come, Empoli may look back at the Derby Dell’Arno as a pivotal moment in their season. That is, if they are to stay in Serie A of course.
Despite going into the match unbeaten in six, Fiorentina have often held the bragging rights to the rivalry with 12 wins and just three losses to their name. A point against “the most technically gifted side in Serie A,” according to Sarri, is not only an impressive result but also a testament of Empoli’s performances finally being rewarded.
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