Luca Cecconi The former striker and coach speaks: "In Empoli, great memories, on the pitch and on the bench"

by Simone Cioni

EMPOLI

Luca Cecconi from Fucecchio, 21 goals in 78 games with Empoli, was not only one of the protagonists of the first historic Italian Serie A, but also the coach of the Primavera's triumph at the Viareggio Tournament in 2000.

Cecconi, the bitter defeat in Turin has extended the negative streak of D'Aversa's team...

"The standings are delicate, but beyond the negative results it is important that the team has shown to be alive and healthy. In Genoa they could have won and also in Turin the draw would have been fairer".

How do you explain the difficulties of these last few months?

"Partly there is a bit of bad luck, especially in the finalization phase a pinch of good luck was missing. Then the many injuries weighed. However, as the president has often repeated, it was predictable that we would have to suffer until the end even if the excellent start had perhaps given us a bit of illusion".

Did you expect something more from the club in the January market?

"Honestly, no, the costs in Serie A have increased a lot and they know the reality of Empoli and what its economic strengths are. The important thing is that the club remains healthy."

Do you agree then that the real acquisitions could be the recoveries of the injured?

"Certainly, hoping they can do it as soon as possible. Whoever recovers can be an added contribution to the team. There are difficulties, but it is important to maintain belief and concentration."

Can the calendar with so many direct clashes help or does it add pressure?

"I don't give it much weight because every game is important and brings with it inevitable pressure. The important thing will be to give our all in every game as if it were a final. And then there's the Coppa Italia semi-final, the icing on the cake of this season that demonstrates the value of this team."

Obtained with many young players, in true Empoli style...

"In this, the blue club is very good not only because it does a great job with the youth team, but also because it then gives space to these guys in the first team."

After the break there is the away match in Como, what kind of match do you expect? "Certainly difficult because Como plays well and has talented players, but they also give spaces and Empoli have shown they are good at exploiting them, let's hope they can be more precise".

As a striker, how do you judge Esposito, Colombo and Kouame?

"I like all three of them, Esposito is the one with the greatest technical value, Colombo has strength and character even if sometimes he wastes a little too much energy that makes him lose that bit of lucidity to make an impact, Kouame is a complete and generous striker. D'Aversa's good work is undeniable, but I would like to see all three of them together because up to now there has been a bit of a lack of effectiveness compared to the volume of play produced".

Empoli and Como, two places he knows well...

"I started my professional career in Empoli and returned to work there later as a Primavera coach and head of the Youth Sector. I know the owners well and it's close to home. I spent three years in Como at the end of my career, also winning a top scorer ranking in Serie C. I have wonderful memories of both experiences."