Liberato Cacace (Empoli | Italy)
🚨🇮🇹 Incredible scene, M'Baye Niang scores in the 93rd minute against AS Roma and allows Empoli to stay in Serie A! 😳pic.twitter.com/JJNBUdbVdh
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) May 26, 2024
Libby absolutely smashing it a few times on that left flank. Almost got a goal, too.
With Atalanta winning yesterday, Roma had nothing to play for, and I'm really happy Empoli won and survived.
Libby now officially entering the last year of his Empoli contract. Will he get a new deal, be sold, or neither?
In the meantime he's earned a few proseccos...
It was an incredibly tight relegation battle. Any of 4 teams could have finished 18th on the final day and been the final relegated team.
Cannavaro's Udinese won 1-0 at Frosinone in the simultaneous KO. A real relegation 6 pointer. Ex Aston Villa lad Keinan Davis with the 76th min winner for Udinese.
15th Udinese | 38 | 6 | 19 | 13 | 37 | 53 | -16 | 37
16th Cagliari | 38 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 42 | 68 | -26 | 36
17th Empoli | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 54 | -25 | 36
18th Frosinone | 38 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 44 | 69 | -25 | 35
Si scrive M'Baye Niang si legge 𝑳'𝑬𝑴𝑷𝑶𝑳𝑰 𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑨 𝑰𝑵 #SerieATIM! 😍💙#EmpoliRoma pic.twitter.com/B7PcMTjReS
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 26, 2024
Sceeeenes as a 90+3rd min winner was the difference between relegation and starting up for Empoli
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) May 26, 2024
Liberato Cacace remains a Serie A player#FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/44A2mmepCo
It was an incredibly tight relegation battle. Any of 4 teams could have finished 18th on the final day and been the final relegated team.
Cannavaro's Udinese won 1-0 at Frosinone in the simultaneous KO. A real relegation 6 pointer. Ex Aston Villa lad Keinan Davis with the 76th min winner for Udinese.
15th Udinese | 38 | 6 | 19 | 13 | 37 | 53 | -16 | 37
16th Cagliari | 38 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 42 | 68 | -26 | 36
17th Empoli | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 54 | -25 | 36
18th Frosinone | 38 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 44 | 69 | -25 | 35
Si scrive M'Baye Niang si legge 𝑳'𝑬𝑴𝑷𝑶𝑳𝑰 𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑨 𝑰𝑵 #SerieATIM! 😍💙#EmpoliRoma pic.twitter.com/B7PcMTjReS
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) May 26, 2024
Sceeeenes as a 90+3rd min winner was the difference between relegation and starting up for Empoli
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) May 26, 2024
Liberato Cacace remains a Serie A player#FlyingKiwis pic.twitter.com/44A2mmepCo
If the game was a draw, Udinese would have gone down on 35 points :)
Interestingly, in the event that 17th/18th are equal on points, all other tiebreakers are forgotten and teams play essentially a relegation playoff match (the host is decided by whoever had the better head-to-head record between the two).
That would be incredibly tasty action if so! Happened in 22/23 when 18th-placed Hellas Verona stayed up at the expense of Spezia, who finished above them in 17th, after a 3-1 playoff win
Certainly can attack the way Tottenham like!
Certainly can attack the way Tottenham like!
Certainly can attack the way Tottenham like!
Have to say I’d prefer him at Tottenham without the complication of some sanction hanging over the club… plus I’ve never really warmed to the City football group. Prefer a neutral or a warm colour- white’s okay. Yellow is great! (That said I think he can do better than Wolves or Watford…)
Sounds like he had a really good game last night. But it was actually his first Serie A start in almost 3 months (3rd March) and he hasn't been injured. In all of that time Empoli have been battling to avoid the drop.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/liberato-cacace/467149/
Almost a throw of the dice nothing to lose selection last night by their coach? I think the guy being picked ahead of him was considered better on D?? I remember reading some stuff by Niche Cache that Empoli goals scored was much better with Cacace playing, than not playing this season - even if he has only 1 assist (think that is right) in his entire time in the Serie A.
So yeah why that 3 month non selection from here seems a bit bewildering, Libby must still have some workons with his game, in the eyes of Empoli's coaching staff??
Watched 30 minutes so far and Libby has been given the whole left wing to motor up and down. A lot of space ahead. A very different set up to where he was having to dovetail inside with a winger ahead.
It looks like the coach is playing 3 at the back with wing backs providing width and two up front.
It might also be a specific plan for Roma as they’ve been pressing high and caught Roma out trying to play out a couple of times.
Man it really is a different tone. The Italian co-commentator or at least the commentator without RP talking about how the Roma keeper against an isolated lone striker- ‘It’s such a lovely way to save the ball.’
Maybe others have been watching with Pezella starting and observed the tactics? The other point to make with Libby not starting is that he’s been getting usually at least 20 minutes or more off the bench- perhaps a strategy to run him at tired legs? Who knows. But he’s been in his coaches plans for every game, even if it hasn’t been from a starting position.
But yeh it would be interesting to hear the reasoning or as you say any work ons. But perhaps he is just a thorough bred stallion when sometimes a draft horse is needed.
I guess it comes down to how the manager wants to play next season and what troops he has at his disposal. The commentators also alluded to the difference in funds available between Empoli and Roma!
A 2-1 win means that they retain their Serie A status for a club record fourth season in a row. It helped them that Roma were guaranteed sixth place no matter what happened, this being a team that beat Empoli 7-0 in the reverse fixture (needless to say Cacace was an unused sub that day). Cacace made 31 appearances throughout the season. They didn’t win any of the seven matches that he missed. In the 1922 minutes that he played, the team scored 1.04 goals and conceded 1.40 per ninety (-0.36). With Pezzella on the pitch (1085 mins), Empoli scored 0.33 goals and conceded 1.40 per ninety (-1.07). Four goals in the equivalent of twelve full matches.
Google translate is your friend, but in short:
- Newly demoted Salernitana and former Serie A team Palermo are looking at him
- Libby has had an OK, but not great season
- He has shown he belongs in Serie A, but could do very well in Serie B, with a view to signing with a leading team in that league
- These are just enquiries, not formal offers
- Empoli paid €4M for Libby (quite a lot) and it's unlikely to turn a profit even if they sell him
While not setting the world on fire he's shown he can hack it (maybe just) at Serie A level. Is game time the important factor and it's worth his while dropping down to Serie B and hoping he can help guide either team to promotion. Or should he stick it out and see if a new Serie A contract turns up?
Empoli is in the north near Florence, and Palermo the biggest city in Sicily.
Again not likely majorly important factors.
Plays well, he'll get offered an extension or other clubs will come knocking.
Apparently his last game was one of his best - so why drop after that?
Problem is, it might not fully depend on him. If Empoli decide to sell him, he will probably need to go. No point sitting on the bench or stands.
But I think if Nicola stays and Empoli don't bring in someone much better in, he's got a chance.
- Coach Nicola and Empoli executives have had a meeting. He's asked for 24 hours to mull their offer over
- It sounds like management want to cash in on some players (including Libby??) and re-build, while the coach has asked to retain some of his players
- A new Sporting Director is to be announced soon. He will already have some ideas on upcoming transfers
So, in short, everything is up in the air. Hopefully Libby is enjoying his NZ holiday and is keeping in touch with his agent.
Apparently Empoli have had young Giacomo Corona on loan (in their youth team) from the Sicilian club, a very talented prospect. His release clause says Empoli can buy him for €1M, but Palermo retain the right to re-buy him straight away for €500k.
The rumour goes that Palermo could use Corona in order to get a discount for Libby.
Palermo have also appointed Alessio Dionisi as head coach and Morgan De Santis as Sporting Director.
Dionisi led Empoli to Serie A in 2021, before replacing De Zerbi as the Sassuolo Manager, where he had a couple of mid-table finishes before being sacked. De Santis worked as Team Manager and shortly as Sporting Director for Roma, before moving to Salernitana.
From everything I'm seeing and reading, Palermo are doing everything they can do be a serious contender for Serie A promotion next year.
It might not be the worst option for Libby, especially if he gets to be heavily involved...
While last year was not great in the last and most important game of the season he started.
Dropping down a league at his age just feels wrong as no guarantee he will ever have another opportunity to play in the top league.
Kirwan had to miss the June 2022, two legged final, as he was with the All Whites in Qatar for the big Intercontinental WC 2022 playoff against Costa Rica. Kirwan was playing very well back then (started for the AWs in the CR playoff) and was a big loss for Padova.
They lost the first leg 0-1 in Padova, which from memory they dominated. And then also lost the 2nd away leg in front of over 30,000 Silicians 1-0. Palermo 2-0 on agg.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/12/italy/serie-c1/us-citta-di-palermo/biancoscudati-padova/3788027/
So yeah Palermo may have strong Serie A promotion ambitions, but not that long ago they were in Serie C.
Socceroo legend Mark Bresciano (that goal against Uruguay) had 4 seasons at Palermo over 2006-2010, playing 107 games. He had one scary moment there.
Bresciano was on the pitch on 2 February 2007, when violence broke out outside the stadium in the Catania-Palermo match. He was affected by tear gas as it drifted into the stadium and afterwards described the incident as "completely terrifying".
Season 22/23 Parisi started 33 games for Empoli (Libby just 5 starts)
Season 23/24 Parisi started only 16 games for Fiorentina (Libby 18 starts at Empoli)
Fiorentina (finished 8th in Serie A, last European spot) obviously a stronger club than Empoli (17th).
Parisi (U21 international) still to be capped by Italy. Though made the senior squad in 2022.
Kirwan had to miss the June 2022, two legged final, as he was with the All Whites in Qatar for the big Intercontinental WC 2022 playoff against Costa Rica. Kirwan was playing very well back then (started for the AWs in the CR playoff) and was a big loss for Padova.
They lost the first leg 0-1 in Padova, which from memory they dominated. And then also lost the 2nd away leg in front of over 30,000 Silicians 1-0. Palermo 2-0 on agg.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/12/italy/serie-c1/us-citta-di-palermo/biancoscudati-padova/3788027/
So yeah Palermo may have strong Serie A promotion ambitions, but not that long ago they were in Serie C.
Socceroo legend (that goal against Uruguay) had 4 seasons at Palermo over 2006-2010, playing 107 games. He had one scary moment there.
Bresciano was on the pitch on 2 February 2007, when violence broke out outside the stadium in the Catania-Palermo match. He was affected by tear gas as it drifted into the stadium and afterwards described the incident as "completely terrifying".
So they were in Serie C recently, but it looks pretty unlikely that they’ll be back there anytime soon - especially with the financial backing of City Football group.
1.FC Union Berlin (15th 23/24) & VfL Bochum (16th 23/24 - Survived a relegation playoff on penalties).
The Palermo link continues to hover as well.
#Empoli, Liberato #Cacace è finito già da alcuni giorni nel mirino di diverse società tedesche. Piace al Bochum e ci potrebbe pensare l'#UnionBerlin per sostituire #Gosens#calciomercato
— Eleonora Trotta (@eleonora_trotta) June 18, 2024
If memory serves correctly, D'Aversa was actually sent off for headbutting an opposition player in March, was given a 4 match ban, and fired by Lecce.
So he won't be allowed to sit in the stands for the first 4 games of the season I believe.
Back to Libby, I've seen these reports of Bundesliga clubs interested in him too. I wonder if he'll consider the Palermo offer as well as they are stacking the team with a view to getting promoted straight to Serie A.
Could be a good way to return to the top flight while staying in Italy.
Going to another club that's struggling and that will be under a lot of pressure won't give him a chance to show his attacking skills.
He looks his best when on attachk, so plugging away at a team that is going to struggle won't suit him.
But who knows, maybe the 2 bundesliga teams are looking to invest and will be more competative this time... also the NIX will pick up a little extra money as well from it : )
Think Italy more suits his skill set and he would be appreciated more there. Here’s hoping he can stay in the top league.
Going down a division is terribly dangerous as even if his team get promoted, that’s the time when money is spent and a squad is upgraded,
Not worth the risk as less is guaranteed and worse case he will spend the rest of his career outside the top league
Stay for a yr where he is and fight for his place. Worst case he becomes a free agent next year
It's not an offer as such yet but wow. It's great to let the imagination wonder a bit.
As an aside, Bologna is a peach of a city
Completely understandable as he heads into the final year of his contract to drum up interest and force Empoli's hand a bit, but a foray into Germany/a move to Bologna would have been awesome
I guess Empoli have just appointed a new sporting director and coach. They are working to see what the squad will look like next season, and might want to retain him.
Having paid around €5M for him (from memory), they might want to try and recoup some of that money though. It's impossible to know.
But he's also shown he belongs at that level and now has the Olympics to show his worth. Keeping him and renewing his contract for a couple of years with a view to selling him on might not be the worst idea for Empoli
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018945439/nz-sporting-history-liberato-cacace
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2024/7/11/the-olywhites-have-finally-named-their-squad-for-the-2024-olympics
Cacace is at an Empoli side that only avoided relegation due to an injury time goal in the last game. They’ve already seen the manager who masterminded that escape be poached away by a rival and their best centre-back has followed him out the door. They tend to need to sell players every year to make the books balance and Cacace has been the subject of half a dozen rumours already. Salernitana. Palermo. Union Berlin. VfL Bochum. Bologna. Sparta Prague.
Each and every one of them have been linked with the bloke as he enters the final year of his current contract... at a time when Empoli have also given a new contract to Giuseppe Pezzella, the other left-back in their squad (who often started ahead of Cacace last season when both were fit). Cacace is far from the only Empoli player on the blocks but if he does leave it’d be a crucial bit of incoming finance that the club won’t want to risk by having him injured in Paris (or even just unavailable for negotiations/medicals).
A complete rebuild with a new manager is like a new club anyway.
The manager they had had in is a bit like Pulis or Big Sam in that he’s got a reputation of being someone who keeps teams up.
Apparently Empoli are trying to play 4 at the back this season which I think will hurt Libby's chances to stay at the club.
On the other hand, I was just thinking last night, why would Empoli refuse him the chance to go to the Olympics if they wanted to sell him? It's a great shop window...maybe D'Aversa wants to have a proper look at him first
Doesn’t however explain why he played in the Oceania tournament