Both Empoli and Udinese have experienced their worst respective starts to a Serie A season, with the former going back to losing ways against a Riccardo Orsolini-inspired Bologna, while the latter scraped a point off Genoa at home last time out. Azzurri coach Aurelio Andreazzoli is ready to turn his side’s season even by ‘playing badly.’
The newly-appointed Empoli boss dished about the must-win encounter against the Friulani (via Tuttomercatoweb).
“I would also be happy to win by playing badly. The emphasis must be on the importance of the match and the three points. We will try to improve, as always. On Sunday, we paid for certain things, the result was disappointing for what we produced.”
Tommaso Baldanzi has proved ineffective so far this season, but the Massa-born tactician hopes his prized possession turns things around.
“I don’t like Baldanzi out wide, but then he can play there too. He has freedom of movement to go wherever he likes, then the team needs a balance and therefore he assumes, in the non-possession phase, a useful position for the team. We all know him, he likes to roam, and I like this a lot. The more he does, the happier I am.”
Udinese have won three of their last five games vs Empoli in Serie A. Andreazzoli is aware of the threat the Northerners possess and soon hopes to get over the clash given the onset of the international break.
“I’ve always liked it and I’ve feared it. We’re playing a fourth game in a short period of time, we can take a breath after this one and we’ll have time to clarify our ideas even more. There are some obstacles between doing that and transforming them, which the team tries to overcome with work. The future gives us the opportunity to intervene.”
Empoli have earned three or fewer points after their first seven games for the second time in the league, having been relegated in 2003/04 when they had two points at the same stage back then. Meanwhile, Udinese have four in their pocket, equaling their worst total at this stage since 1994/95.
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