Nothing but an immediate return to Serie B was expected of Empoli after they achieved promotion last season. However they confounded critics and were one of the joys in Serie A over the past season, combining a no-fear approach with the blooding of talented youngsters.
Empoli came into this season without much expectation, except perhaps that they were destined to return straight to Serie B having won promotion last term behind Giuseppe Iachini’s Palermo. Looking over their squad prior to the commencement of league duties in August this was a reasonable assumption to make.
This was a team consisting largely of unproven youngsters, augmented with one or two veterans and led a journeyman coach making his top flight debut having never spent more than three years at any single club. Indeed, bouncing around the lowest reaches of Italian football, Maurizio Sarri has been in charge of 12 teams in the last 15 years.
What a difference a year makes. Empoli have not only survived in Serie A, they have thrived, Sarri is being mentioned as a possible coach of the season, while Mirko Valdifiori and Daniele Rugani have both been called up to Antonio Conte’s national team. So far only the former has been capped, but it is only a matter of time before the later steps onto a pitch wearing the Azzurri blue.
While a 15th placed finish is an impressive feat in itself for a newly promoted side with one of the league’s smallest budgets, what has been most striking about Empoli’s campaign is the manner in which they have achieved that position. Fluid, enterprising attacking football, and a fearless attitude towards opponents has left the supporters in Tuscany dazzled and some of Serie A’s more famous names watching on enviously.
Comprehensive victories over the likes of Lazio and Napoli have been accompanied by credible draws against Milan – home and away – Roma, Inter and Fiorentina, and while Empoli have been on the end of a few heavy defeats, this has been more the result of their refusal to change their belligerent style of play than anything else.
Sarri’s side is built from the back with Lorenzo Tonelli and Daniele Rugani forming an impressive partnership in front of Luigi Sepe.
In midfield Mirko Valdifiori is the key man with his extensive range of passing, while Riccardo Saponara’s return from A.C. Milan in January galvanised both player and team as he went on to score seven goals in 16 matches, confirming his early promise while demonstrating everything that is currently wrong with the Rossoneri’s squad management.
Up front the evergreen Massimo Maccarone has played his part, chipping in with 10 goals of his own.
It has been a breath of fresh air to see a small club with a positive footballing philosophy take on the bigger sides on their own terms, especially when their squad is built around a number of young home grown Italian players.
That safety was achieved against Torino in April with four games to spare is a testament to this ethos. In a country that is often criticised for it’s reluctance to give opportunities to young players, Empoli has long been regarded as a place where talent is actively encouraged and nurtured. Sarri’s only worry now is how many of them will still at the club come August.
Player of the Season
While Daniele Rugani performances have confirmed he is Italy’s next great hope at centre back and Riccardo Saponara has been in scintillating form since returning to the club in January, Mirko Valdifiori’s contribution to Empoli this season has been outstanding.
Having never played in Serie A before this season, the 29-year-old, who has jumped around the lower leagues, finishes the campaign as an Italian international after making his Azzurri debut in the March friendly against England. It is a rise from obscurity that is emblematic of the whole team.
Sitting in front of the defence, Valdifiori is a regista in the mould of Andrea Pirlo, and like the great master himself he likes to sit deep and control play with his wide range of passing. While he certainly doesn’t score many goals he is one of Serie A’s leading players in terms of assists, being particularly dangerous at setting up opportunities for his team mates from set pieces.
After such an impressive first season in the top flight Empoli already face an uphill struggle to hold on to Valdifiori with both AC Milan and Napoli reportedly interested in securing his creative abilities ahead of the new season.
Goal of the Season
At the end of April, Empoli recorded their finest victory of the campaign against a Napoli side still in the hunt for a Champions League place. Not only did the Azzurri’s emphatic 4-2 victory take them to within a few points of mathematical safety it was also notable for this spectacular strike from Riccardo Saponara.
The trequartista was outstanding throughout this match as a rampant Empoli set about taking Rafael Bentiez’s team apart. A constant menace sitting in the hole, the 23-year-old had already played an instrumental part in Empoli’s second goal a few minutes earlier before this acrobatic bicycle kick in first half stoppage time all but ended the contest by half time.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDzRN5KK75c[/youtube]
Best and Worst Signings
Not technically a new signing, as Massimo Maccarone had spent the previous two seasons on loan at the Stadio Carlo Castellani from Sampdoria, but when his contract expired with the Blucerchiati in the summer, the Tuscans were quick to secure him on a permanent deal.
It turned out to be a wise move as the striker’s experience has shown through this campaign. His contribution of 10 goals has been vital in ensuring Empoli’s survival, while the younger players in the squad have continually looked to him for guidance and leadership.
On the other hand, when signed from Sevilla after a few seasons on loan at various Serie A sides, Tiberio Guarente was supposed to provide guile and experience in the centre of midfield. However, a serious knee injury picked up in October sidelined the 29-year-old throughout the winter months and even after recovering in the spring he was never able to force his way into the side, eventually making only one appearance in a blue shirt.
The Coach
Maurizio Sarri has been one of this season’s stand out coaches despite having never sat on a Serie A bench before.
An adherent to the 4-3-1-2 formation, the Neapolitan has had his team playing dynamic, attacking football, characterised by quick transitions from defence to attack and a refusal to change their style, even against the league’s strongest teams.
A true student of the game, this season has been the crowing achievement of a 25-year career for the chain smoking, intellectual former bank clerk
Like many of his players, Sarri is now also attracting admiring glances from some of the peninsula’s bigger clubs and it remains to be seen if he will still be around next season. Arrigo Sacchi is reported to have recommended him to Silvio Berlusconi, while Napoli and Sampdoria have also shown an interest.
