Between a McTominay goal and a hug on the sidelines, three guys who may be going back to Naples just passed through. This time, perhaps, to stay there
Napoli, non solo Marianucci: dall’Empoli in 3, uno è una sorpresa (Foto: LaPresse) – serieanews.com
The 3-0 final is one of those results that make noise even without raising your voice. And that annoy, a lot, those who suffer them. But Empoli cannot be told much for what happened Monday night.
Napoli played Napoli. A good hour of domination, rhythms kept high, surgical aggression and good feet that finally found their direction. Too much difference right now. Empoli has problems, lots of them: injuries, low morale and a standings that are beginning to shake.
Yet, something to take away from this trip he had. We’re not just talking about lessons to study at home, but also clues. Of soccer players who paraded at the Maradona without much of a spotlight, but who may one day return as hosts.
The first name is not really a secret. It has been whispered for months in the corridors of Castel Volturno, with that satisfaction you get when you block something good before others. Luca Marianucci, class of 2004, a central defender with a calmness you don’t expect from someone so young. Napoli has already optioned him, just missing the signature on the contract to make the deal official.
Against Lukaku and co. Marianucci did his thing. No miracles, but no resounding swerves either. Let’s say it wasn’t exactly the right match to evaluate the possible new signing, but in general, the Azzurri project also needs these well-considered bets, which don’t cost a fortune and can grow quietly in the shadow of the starters.
Napoli, piacciono anche Fazzini ed Esposito: non tutti insieme, ma…
Then there is another boy who was already given as a January arrival in Naples. He was talked about enthusiastically, then it all fizzled out within a few weeks. Jacopo Fazzini, class of 2003, a ductile, elegant midfielder who grew up well at Empoli and was followed by half of Serie A. At one point he even seemed closer to Lazio, but in the end nothing done, he stayed where he was.
Napoli, piacciono anche Fazzini ed Esposito: non tutti insieme, ma… (AnsaFoto) – serieanews.com
The feeling, however, is that Napoli has not closed the door. And Conte, who has a way with midfielders, might like his profile a lot: young, technical, with wide margins and already a fair amount of minutes in A. In the middle of a department that will have to be refounded, someone like Fazzini may become more than an idea.
The third name is the one you don’t expect. In fact, maybe you do, but only if at the triple whistle you paid attention to the sideline scenes. One who lingered on the sidelines, laughing and joking with Romelu Lukaku, like two old friends catching up after a while. A little further on, Antonio Conte watches them with a half-smile. Because yes, those three, together, have been at Inter before.
He is the very Neapolitan Sebastiano Esposito, class of 2002, a striker whom Empoli took on loan right from Inter. He hasn’t scored in a while, but he has had a serious championship. He has learned to defend the ball, to work for his teammates, to move intelligently. And Conte has noticed him. He said of him, “He is growing, he is an interesting footballer.”
Napoli, piacciono anche Fazzini ed Esposito: non tutti insieme, ma… (LaPresse) – serieanews.com
In some cases, it takes little to open a lead. Esposito has a right of redemption at 5 million, which Empoli could exercise even in case of relegation. But then what? He could end up on the market immediately, perhaps right at Napoli, which at that point could consider a season on loan elsewhere. A classic operation of a club that thinks in perspective and wants to invest in youngsters already ready to explode.
The Maradona last Sunday showed not only a growing Napoli. He also put under the lens three guys who could soon be back in the spotlight. Marianucci, Fazzini, Esposito. Three different stories, one possible trajectory. And who knows, maybe Empoli-Napoli itself was not the first act of a script already being written.
This article Napoli, not just Marianucci: from Empoli in 3, one is a surprise appeared first on SerieANews.
