by Simone Cioni
EMPOLI
“We are the ambassadors of a collective dream.” These are the words with which Davide Nicola closed his introduction to the presentation of today’s match against Roma, in which Empoli is playing for their stay in Serie A, in which he underlined the importance of having one big heart. “I represent a group of men who have dedicated their body and soul to this season. I have already said it to my boys, but I want to convey it to the whole environment – adds the Piedmontese coach –. Empoli embodies values such as sacrifice, passion, humility, ideas. Above all ideas. Maybe, as has been said, we don’t have the resources of some great teams, but what distinguishes us is our heart, our identity which we have always maintained ourselves, but we will play for our city, for our people, for the society that deserves deep respect. We are ready to give everything to try a feat that would be historic and therefore I ask the whole environment to accompany us. Everyone must do their share.” A match that awaits captain Luperto and his teammates is certainly tough because, beyond the fact that Roma can no longer improve their position, the Giallorossi remain an important team that certainly won’t want to come to Empoli to make a simple catwalk . “We know we are meeting a very strong team – admits Nicola –, which has quality and which has done an extraordinary job with De Rossi. For this reason we must take to the field aware that to fill any gap we will need organisation, motivation, awareness of the path taken so far. here and the help of our people, always seasoned with clarity. We know it’s hard, but that’s what gives value to everything.”
The Italian coach then analyzes his boys’ work week, which will end this morning with the finishing touches to resolve the last doubts about the team. “Thanks to these guys I never have any doubts, whoever I choose always does their best to achieve the goal. After the briefing tomorrow morning (today, ed.) we will evaluate who will be ready from the start and who will be fundamental in the race – specifies Nicola – As for the week after Udinese there was no disappointment, but a healthy anger channeled in the right way. He could have had something more for this match, but it wouldn’t have changed what we had to do Now we just want to do something extraordinary.” Finally Nicola focuses once again on the importance of a sold out Castellani-Computer Gross Arena because the support of the public is truly palpable on the pitch.
“Those who do our work also do it for this reason. When we share our work with people we reach an absolute value – he concludes -, we wanted to convey to people the desire to believe in this path and people have shown us that they understood it and that is considered important. Tomorrow (today, ed.) I want to see this symbiosis, for a coach it is the best.” In case of victory, Empoli will be safe regardless of how Frosinone-Udinese ends, which is played at the same time. In only one case, however, will there be a play-off: if the Azzurri draw and Udinese lose.
