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Following Daniele De Rossi’s back injury in the Azzurri win over Holland, coupled with Kevin Strootman’s suspension, the Giallorossi will certainly be depending on their midfield depth in order to continue their form.
In the first leg against Giovanni Martusciello’s side, Roma were held to a disappointing scoreless draw. Although Empoli have had just eight different goalscorers this term, their attack is direct and is most dangerous on the counter-attack.
While the team has lost a touch of creativity with the departure of Riccardo Saponara in January, our columnist believes these three players still have plenty to offer in the bid for a positive result.
Lukasz Skorupski
Making a name for himself due to his penalty-stopping abilities, the 25-year-old Polish keeper has progressed exponentially over the span of his two-year loan from Roma.
In spite of a leaky defensive record, the prodigal loanee has maintained high ratings across the Italian newspapers – making a remarkable ten clean sheets and making 89 saves so far this term.
A keeper who seems to get a hand onto every ball, Skorupski’s last highlight save came against Napoli – where he blocked Dries Mertens’ penalty, stretching his body across goal to parry awawy with his feet.
Although it is expected that the Lupi will gain the majority of the possession, scoring past Skorupski will be another mission in itself – as his parent club learned the hard way in the reverse fixture.
Massimo Maccarone
If any player is to symbolise the underdog that is Empoli, it is the persevering centre-forward from Galliate.
Although this season has been a bit slow for him with only four goals and an assist, ‘Big Mac’ has fulfilled a legendary career after turning professional in 1998 – achieving a total of 206 goals.
While a stint in the English Premier League with Middlesbrough was to eventually seem like a setback, Maccarone returned to spend the last 13 years throughout Italy. He then became a hero in Empoli, as well as Siena – where he scored a goal at least every three matches.
At 37 years-old, he has kept himself in top condition, showing no hints of retirement anytime soon. With a goal in the last round against Napoli, Maccarone will nothing short of confident as he prepares to make a dent against another big club – and that is just as well, considering he will likely have a big role to play
Jose Mauri
Out on loan at Empoli from AC Milan, Mauri has – to a greater or lesser extent – been asked to replace Leandro Paredes in the side, after the Argentine (who will likely face his old club on Saturday) returned to the Giallorossi following a successful loan spell.
Combative and tenacious in the middle of the park, these are the sort of games where Mauri has to be at his very best – if his side are to have any chance of stemming the tide and disrupting the waves of Roma attacks that are likely to come.
Mauri has endured a difficult season so far, not quite playing or progressing as he or the various parties involved would have hoped. But he has forced his way back into the reckoning a bit more in recent weeks and, given this stage, will be eager to continue the positive momentum.
Imperium Partners
Centurion Partners
