«The points are worth double and the margins of error are minimal». Mister Roberto D'Aversa, Empoli coach, does not mince words in the pre-match press conference to describe today's match at the “Castellani” between Empoli and Como. However, the former Lecce coach is keen to correct the situation to take some pressure off his players' shoulders: «There is a need and not an obligation to bring home the full result. Como is a team that we cannot consider our equal in terms of investments, but the ranking at the moment says that it is a direct clash.”
When questioned about the staff and corporate structure of the Larians, Mr. D'Aversa does not shy away from giving praise and compliments: «They play good football and are a very organized team; furthermore, they have one of those clubs that can only be good for Italian football. On the bench they have a coach who I expect can get to the top soon. Not least is the pool of very technically sound players on whom they can count, thanks to which they prefer a more possession and phrasing game than ours. For our part, we will have to be good at highlighting their defects, such as the over 10 more goals they conceded than us.”
The German native coach is not looking for alibis, despite having to deal with some important absences: «In times of difficulty I want to see a team that manages to get out of these situations. When I say that I don't want alibis, I'm the first one who doesn't have to look for them and, therefore, if I reasoned about those who were absent, I would be taking something away from others.”
Therefore, the choices in the canonical 3-4-2-1 are rather obligatory: Vasquez confirmed in goal, in front of whom Mr. D'Aversa will have to choose one between Marianucci and De Sciglio to support Ismajli and Viti; after which, the two wings entrusted as usual to Gyasi and Pezzella, while in the midfield Maleh takes the place of the injured Grassi and one of Anjorin or Henderson completes the department; finally, in light of Esposito's injury, behind Colombo we are moving towards the reconfirmation of the Solbakken-Fazzini duo.
