Empoli chasing salvation in Serie A: Corsi defends the team

by Simone Cioni EMPOLI The 0-0 draw with Cagliari was the sixteenth result without a win for theEmpoli, which therefore equalled the negative record of the team coached by Aurelio Andreazzoli, dating back to Serie A 2021-'22 when it remained without success from the 18th to the 33rd matchday. Unlike today, however, then the salvation it wasn't even in question given that in that dark period, until the home victory against Napoli, coming back from 0-2 to 3-2, the advantage over the third-last team never fell below nine points. Coincidentally, it's precisely that Napoli that D'Aversa's team will find themselves facing in the late match next Monday at the Maradona. Who knows, maybe these historical recurrences can be a good omen. Among other things, last year Empoli also didn't win at home a direct clash that seemed fundamental with Frosinone, with three days to go (compared to today, however, the Azzurri didn't have to chase). However, it's better not to look too much into the past and concentrate on the present, when, beyond everything, the Azzurri have maintained their chances of salvation given that there are still two points to recover to celebrate yet another 'miracle'. In this regard, the president Fabrice Corsi he wanted to return to his post-Cagliari outburst regarding the whistles received by the team. "I spoke with a burning thought, at the end of an important match for our season where unfortunately another good performance did not lead to the victory that all of us, like our fans, wanted - he explains -. It was not my intention to disrespect anyone, my intervention was exclusively aimed at defending a group of guys who have been giving their all since day one and will do everything to reach the goal until the end. For this reason I was sorry for the whistles that came at the end of the match, although it is legitimate for the fans to express their thoughts". Corsi then continues by looking to the future. "The championship sees us just two points from the fourth salvation consecutive in Serie A, something unthinkable for our club – he concludes –. We started strong, beyond anyone's expectations, and now we are called to live a difficult moment like many others have happened over the years. We are Empoli, we are aware that we also have to suffer, this is our championship: it is up to us to face it in the best way, with balance and clarity, doing everything to achieve our scudetto. And to do that we need everyone, starting with us as a club, up to the players, the staff and the whole environment that has always been an added value". If looking at the standings and the calendar you can, with a bit of healthy optimism, still see the glass half full, on the other hand it is indisputable that at the moment the team has some limits. First of all in terms of personnel, after those of Viti, Fazzini, Solbakken and Ebuehi now it will be essential to also recover Ismajli and Anjorin, hoping that in the meantime there will be no bad news from the tests of Kouame and Maleh. The feelings, however, are not good. Then there is the technical aspect, with the now chronic difficulty in scoring. A problem of no small importance given that in this game if you don't score you don't win and Empoli absolutely needs to win. In short, the story is still being written, but it will be essential not to miss other opportunities.