Before the 2015/16 season in Italy got underway many had expected Empoli to struggle in Serie A and the game’s critics openly said that the side could be embroiled in the fight against relegation.
At the end of the transfer window in August, the Tuscany outfit had lost their coach Maurizio Sarri. So, the ‘experts’ immediately ranked Empoli among the weakest sides in the division.
Sarri had kept Empoli afloat in recent years but in summer he left to join ambitious Napoli.
Empoli also lost the services of various key players – Daniele Rugani (Juventus), Matias Vecino (Fiorentina), Simone Verdi (Eibar) and Elseid Hysaj and Mirko Valdifiori who both followed Sarri down south to Napoli.
Indeed, the situation wasn’t promising for Empoli and their early exit in the Coppa Italia to Serie B side Vicenza did not augur well either.
But fast forward four months and the picture tells a completely different story.
In fact, Empoli have done pretty well so far and distanced themselves from the red zone, proving to be one of the most refreshing sides in the Italian league.
Before the Christmas recess, Empoli were joint-seventh with 27 points from 17 games, level with surprise package Sassuolo (who have a home game against Torino in hand).
Empoli were off to a poor start in summer as they were soundly beaten by Chievo 1-3 at their own Carlo Castellani stadium.
That upset was followed by a narrow defeat to Milan at the San Siro.
A series of inconsistent performances followed and a 1-3 home defeat to Juventus probably triggered the relegation worries for the Empoli bosses.
However, Empoli bounced back in style. They went on to record a valuable 2-2 draw at rivals Fiorentina and that result was followed with four straight wins against Lazio (1-0), Verona (1-0), Carpi (3-0) and Bologna (3-2).
Marco Giampaolo, who replaced Sarri, is doing a great job at Empoli.
In many ways, the team’s current placing has enabled Giampaolo to revive his ailing career after years of huge under-achievements at other clubs.
He first started with Ascoli, the side he led to the Serie A in 2004. However, he was successively sacked by Cagliari (two times), Siena, Catania, Cesena and Brescia between 2006 and 2013.
Once, former Milan and England coach Fabio Capello had indicated Giampaolo could be his heir apparent. However, Giampaolo’s misfortunes in recent years had led many to believe that his career was practically ruined.
But, at Empoli the 48-year-old is achieving wonders.
From a side aspiring merely to avoid a bottom-three finish, Empoli are now in contention for a place in the Europa League next season.
Despite a restricted budget, Empoli are only one point adrift of Milan in the standings, five below Roma and six behind fourth-placed Juventus.
Besides Giampaolo, Empoli also owe their lofty position to experienced players Riccardo Saponara, Manuel Pucciarelli, Massimo Maccarone, Marcel Buchel and Leandro Paredes.
In this respect, Maccarone, 36, is proving to be Giampaolo’s trump card as the former Middlesbrough striker has already scored seven goals this season.
Empoli need to keep this positive streak going at least until they reach the 40-point mark, a stage which is deemed necessary in Serie A to make sure of safety.
Empoli’s remaining first-round fixtures are against Inter (home) and Torino (away).
Although the club might be tempted to part with some of their players next month, it would be a huge mistake if Giampaolo doesn’t get suitable replacements as a couple of negative results could leave a devastating effect on the team at a stage where Empoli are not yet home and dry.