The 2014-15 Serie A season was successful for Empoli, considering their finish in fifteenth place to avoid relegation ahead of Udinese, Atalanta, Cagliari, Cesena and Parma. With talent such as Mirko Valdifiori and Daniele Rugani coached under Maurizio Sarri, the Empoli squad of 2015-16 looks very different today, as it did from one season ago.
Last season was the first year since 2007-08 that Empoli competed in top-flight football. In two seasons in Serie B while under Sarri’s leadership, the Italian manager finished in fourth place, then second place the following year to see his side promoted. In Serie A, calcio fans witnessed a forward-thinking style of football where Sarri came up with creative formations, primarily with Italian players. His style was noticed, so when Rafa Benitez departed for Real Madrid, Napoli swooped in for his services.
Summer Transfers – Who’s in, who’s out
The Italian technician isn’t the only important part of Empoli’s club moving onto bigger and better things. The azzurri also off loaded a significant number of key players, including Valdifiori and Hysaj, who followed their coach to Napoli and Rugani, who completed his move to Juventus after playing with the club on multiple loan deals. Key forward, Francesco Tavano, who scored 63 goals in 118 appearances for Empoli also departed.
The Florentine-based club made approximately 10.5 million euros from the number of important players leaving the squad. However, the team only spent approximately 4.8 million euros this mercato period, according to Transfermarkt.com. Many fans now being left with only days before the season that Empoli have not found any valuable replacements in their starting XI. On the upside, important players like Saponara and Tonelli will remain with the club and a loan deal from Roma will have Lukasz Skorupski wear the azzurro jersey. The Polish goalkeeper should help the back line as he has experience playing in Champions League competition last season against Manchester City.
Looking ahead to 2015-16
The new man behind the bench, Marco Giampaolo has already started off with a positive preseason and has experience coaching throughout the Italian system. Most recently, in 2010 he replaced Sinisa Mihajlovia at Catania; in 2011 he moved to Cesena to try and keep them in Serie A but was sacked just two months into the season. It took until 2013 for Giampaolo to find another job – and that was in Serie B with Brescia. Now with Empoli, Giampaolo has the challenge to fill gaps from the transfer window and highlight the talent of his existing players.
Massimo Maccarone will be the key to Empoli’s attack, as avoiding relegation will be determined by how well he can find the back of the net. The veteran striker has been with the Club since 2012 and has 50 goals in 131 appearances. Another important player this campaign will also include Michele Camporese. Being struck by injury, the Italian defender lacked playing time while on loan at Cesena and Bari. By remaining healthy this season, he will be a key starter for Giampaolo as Empoli have secured him until 2018
Expected line up for Empoli: (3-4-1-2) Skorupski; Tonelli, Costa, Camporese; Laurini, Croce, Ronaldo, Rui; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone.
Key Player to Watch: Riccardo Saponara
In addition to Camporese, Empoli have also secured Saponara from Milan definitively, as the midfielder was previously on loan from this past January. Playing as a trequartista last season and impressing many eyes around Italy, the Italian will hope to keep his forward momentum going as Euro 2016 approaches. In only 15 appearances with his new club since January, Saponara found the back of the net seven times and assisted three times.
He has the ability to make key passes and control the midfield while supporting his strikers. At only 23, Saponara has made progress in his goal-scoring, especially from distance.
Now in their second consecutive season in Serie A, Empoli have to realize that they are no longer the “fairytale” team who are the new kids at the table. Considering the newly promoted sides are ready to fight for a place in Italy, Carpi and Frosinone, Empoli have a lot of competition to avoid relegation this year. With the lack of reinforcements during the transfer window and the loss of Sarri, it will be a long and competitive season for the Florentine Club.
Three competitive games await in the first few weeks of the season, as Empoli faces off with Chevio, Milan and Napoli. Securing points and evaluating how Giampaolo handles his squad could be a telling story for how the rest of the season may go.
Predicted League finish: 17th
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