The sixteenth matchday of Serie A is now upon us. After a midweek round of European commitments, between the Champions League, Europe and the Conference League (which will end tonight), the Italian championship comes knocking again with the anticipation of Friday evening, that is Empoli-Turin. For tomorrow’s match, scheduled for 8.45pm at the Carlo Castellani Stadium, there will be an important change in Roberto D’Aversa’s squad. Ravaged by injuries this season, the Azzurri coach has in fact decided to bring with him a baby talent: it is Thomas Campanielloa striker born in 2008 who will wear the number 89 shirt – as communicated by the Tuscan club itself -.
Ideally and as anticipated by D’Aversa himself in the press conference today, after Pietro Pellegri’s knockout, Campaniello could fill the void left by the former grenade: “Due to his characteristics, Campaniello from Primavera is a player who can play the role of Pellegri. At the moment there are several absences, even in the preparation for the match there are many players who must be ready to cover multiple roles. I see availability, for example Gyasi can do more things. Now the boys must be ready, the demonstration was that of Marianucci in Verona”
As for Pellegri’s serious injury, D’Aversa responded in a serious tone: “Greetings to Pietro because he had recovered certainties and physical condition, he was giving us a lot. He is certainly a player who we will miss, like Haas and Sazonov. I’m sorry for those who have been through it, I have been through it as a player and in this moment it falls on you the world on top of him. I spoke to him trying to reassure him, it’s clear that there could be disappointment in Lourdes.”
For tomorrow’s match against Torino, Thomas Campaniello will also be available to coach D’Aversa: the forward born in 2008 will wear the number 89 shirt pic.twitter.com/PtA1sX1Z9K
— Empoli Football Club Official (@EmpoliFC) December 12, 2024