2022 Serie A Preview: Empoli
Last Year's Finish: 14th
Predicted Finish: 14th
Odds To Win Serie A: 14th
Prospects:
There was a point about midway through last season when something was truly stirring in Tuscany. The boys from the Carlo Castellani had been a revelation and were an outside shot for Europe with some stylish football and impressive results. But a long winless run ensued and – although they survived easily enough – left questions about which version of the team was the real one.
Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli has been a casualty of that depressing sequence and is replaced by Paolo Zanetti – a man who knows a bit about relegation fights having most recently managed Venezia. He appears to have a better squad at his disposal at Empoli but the loss of last season’s top scorer, Andrea Pinamonti is a blow. Mattia Destro could be the answer – or so they hope – but he has blown hot and cold throughout his career.
Loan deals (both current and those that have turned permanent) could represent their best chance of staying afloat again but it is always a risk to rely on the kindness of others. Their newly-promoted rivals look a little more ambitious this season than last so they face a stern task. Dodging the drop will be particularly hard if they don’t make another flying start this year, but they should be able to stay up.
Transfers:
As stated, to avoid relegation, Empoli is going to need to hope and pray that some new signings gel quickly and start firing almost upon arrival. Sam Lammers has made the leap from Atalanta, Sebastian Luperto shores up the defense with a move from Napoli, the aforementioned Mattia Destro is going to be looked upon to lead the line, and perhaps most importantly, Gugilielmo Vicario is being counted upon to set and deputize his defense while keeping guard between the sticks as Empoli's top choice goalkeeper after his loan from Caligari has been made permanent.
One To Watch:
Every Serie A relegation fight starts with a solid base and the much-scouted goalkeeper, is sure to be a busy boy again this term. He attracted a wide range of suitors in the summer but – at the time of writing – he remained between the posts in Empoli, which can only be to their advantage. Vicario is likely to face plenty more chances to enhance his reputation in the weeks to come but clean sheets will be essential in keeping his team afloat.
Outlook:
It's going to be a fight, but Empoli has enough talent at their disposal to stay up if things break right. Questions abound as to which team Empoli is; the team that shocked everyone at the start of last season, or the team that seemed destined to go down late. Still, their saving grace is that they have enough players on the team who have been there, have been through relegation battles and can pull from that experience to keep them up. I believe they finish 14th and just outside of a relegation battle.