Not even in 2006-07 – the season at the end of which they incredibly qualified for the first (and only) UEFA Cup in their history – did Empoli manage to do better: after four days without defeat, the team coached by Cagni crashed into Roma and closed the string of consecutive positive results. The victory in Cagliari represents a historic record, therefore. But above all it certifies the form of the Azzurri team, which has won a direct clash away without ever showing signs of giving up. The success was peremptory and deserved and, despite Cagliari’s desperate attacks in the final part of the match, Empoli kept a clean sheet for the umpteenth time.
An Empoli with many ideas
In the high-quality choral performance, in which the Azzurri players were able to put the Cagliari ball carriers in trouble by attacking them high up, you can see the hand of D’Aversa, who in a short time managed to give new life to this group. It wasn’t easy, because the team was almost completely renewed and made without spending a cent. But in Tuscany they know very well that to play good football you don’t need to open your wallet. You need ideas, and Empoli has always had those, even in moments of restart.
The Azzurri winners of all the duels
As mentioned, Empoli deservedly won. In the presentation press conference, D’Aversa had emphasized the importance of duels and second balls. And it was precisely in this field, also dear to the former Azzurri coach Nicola, that Empoli clearly prevailed. Especially in the first sixty minutes, when the Azzurri players seemed more lively and lucid than their Cagliari colleagues. In the last half hour there was a bit of suffering, dictated by tiredness and Cagliari’s forcing, but Empoli’s defense never lost its calm. Perhaps such a convincing start was unthinkable, the club rightly continues to fly low. But the Azzurri’s start to the championship has been astonishing and it is right to underline it.