Empoli will need to head into this season with even more determination than the last if they wish build upon an impressive 2014-15 campaign which saw them bravely maintain their status in Serie A.
The Azzurri were a team tipped for the relegation battle at the start of last year, and one may be forgiven for believing so, as it was the club’s first appearance in Italy’s premier division since 2008.
On the surface their results may not look too flattering, with only eight wins against 12 losses and 18 draws (a league high), but in fact it was quite the opposite, as inspired performances from the likes of Daniele Rugani, Mirko Valdifiori, Riccardo Saponara and veteran Massimo Maccarone saw Empoli fight off the big dogs and pull a few surprises out of their hat.
It was this perfect mixture of youth and experience that combined so well to keep Empoli up in the charts, as they battled so bravely, holding all the qualities of a higher tier team.
However, with the departures of key staff and quite a few first team members, many of which were only on loan, they will need to fight even more to prove themselves worthy of such a prestigious league.
Transfers
After such a successful first season back in Serie A, it comes as no surprise to see some of Empoli’s key players poached away by larger teams, while others’ loan periods have come to an end, meaning they have returned to their respective parent clubs.
Unfortunately, this leaves Empoli without some incredibly influential players who gave more than a helping hand last season, with the most notable departure being that of Valdifiori’s.
The 27-year-old midfielder had been at the club since 2008, and became a vital figure within the squad as well as a hallmark for all that they stood for. He was often compared to Italian legend Andrea Pirlo throughout the course of last season due to his ability to control a game and expertise at set-pieces.
It was from these set piece’s that Empoli proved most deadly, and after now having sold their pivoting figure to Napoli for a reported €5.5 million, they will likely feel a huge hole in the middle of the pitch. A hole that isn’t patched so easily.
Chumming Valdifiori down south to Napoli is Elseid Hysaj. The Albanian made himself a valuable asset throughout the year gaining two assists in the process, and will surely be missed.
Another significant departure is that of Daniele Rugani, who returns to Juventus. Whilst the youngster was only at the club on loan it still comes as a large blow to lose a player of such calibre. At only 21-years of age Rugani enjoyed an impeccable season, making himself a rock in Empoli’s defence. He also played every single minute of the campaign, meaning it will be rather hard to find a man who can give just as much.
Brought in to plug the hole left in defence is Michele Camporese from Fiorentina. The 23-year-old hasn’t received too much game time during recent years after sustaining a heavy injury, yet he was once considered one of the Viola’s most exciting prospects, and could thus be the perfect candidate to try and replicate Rugani’s success (should he stay fit of course).
Also new at the back are Andrea Costa and Luca Bittante, taken from Parma and Fiorentina respectively. Both signings add depth to a back line that has recently been stripped bare.
Roma’s Lukasz Skorupski comes in on loan to gain experience, a great deal for both sides as Empoli have been looking for someone strong between the sticks since the departure of Luigi Sepe.
Finally, ahead in midfield is Raffaele Maiello from Napoli, and while perhaps not a ‘recent’ signing, Saponara has now permanently joined from AC Milan, which is an incredible boost considering the amount of goals he scored after having only moved on loan in January.
The Coach
There’s a new man at the helm this season after the departure of Maurizio Sarri, and his name is Marco Giampaolo.
The 48-year-old was rated as one of Italy’s most promising coaches just a few years ago, frequently named ‘the new Fabio Capello’ during his height at Ascoli. However, he has since become somewhat of a nomadic figure, hopping from job to job and mostly creating quite the ordeal with each club’s management (or at least in most recent years).
Therefore, his appointment comes with some major risks for Empoli, the most obvious being that of a possible disastrous fall out halfway through the season, as has occurred at Giampoalo’s previous clubs.
Yet it’s certainly a risk worth taking.
The former Brescia coach is a man able to work every ounce from his players, and summon an absolute amount of determination, something which is definitely needed if the Tuscans have any hope of ‘one upping’ last year’s heroics.
Giampoalo also has a great tactical understanding of the game, and much like Sarri, he enjoys possession based football. He has already pledged to build upon the former coach’s values, which means we could see an even more exciting Empoli this season.
Season Expectations
With some of their main stars snapped up by the league’s wealthier clubs, Empoli’s number one objective will once again be to survive. To aim for any higher would simply be unrealistic after this summer’s turnover, in spite of their already talented lineup.
They will need to hit the ground running as two of the opening three games will match them against extremely challenging adversaries, AC Milan and Napoli; both sides which could hinder their early progress.
Last year they didn’t really kick in to full gear until mid-season, however they can no longer afford such luxuries with upgraded competition, and they will have to ‘wake-up’ a lot earlier this season if they wish to avoid a late struggle.
Italian veteran Maccarone led the attack last season with 10 goals and seven assists, a tally that will be expected of him once again if he wants to see his side progress through such fixtures and become regulars in Serie A.
Should Empoli overcome all odds and take points away from these opening games then it could be very telling of their season.
With a fresh addition of names to the roster and a rather exciting coach, there is a possibility that Empoli could avoid the drop, provided they get off to a good start.
Expected finish: 19th. (NB: this is not necessarily Connall Shaw’s opinion but the average of our editors’ predictions.)
