Coach Aurelio Andreazzoli praised ‘excellent’ Empoli after the 2-2 draw against Genoa on Friday. ‘We play to be efficient, not beautiful’.
The newly promoted side picked up another point against the Grifone on Friday night and put further pressure on Davide Ballardini.
It was Andreazzoli’s 68th birthday and it seemed like he would be given a win by his players, when Federico Di Francesco and Szymon Zurkowski turned the game around in the second half.
Serie A | Empoli 2-2 Genoa: stalemate at the Carlo Castellani
Domenico Criscito scored the opening goal in the first half, before Flavio Bianchi equalised in the 89th minute to secure a draw for the visitors.
“Sometimes we forget our opponents,” Andreazzoli told Sky Sport Italia. “We had rosy prospects and clear ideas but were unable to pursue them in the first half, because Genoa put us under pressure.
“We had to be faster and better at finding the spaces, but we didn’t do it thanks to our opponents.”
Andreazzoli’s changes helped the Azzurri bounce back and he praised the substitutes.
“I would emphasise the second half of my team and how the substitutes interpreted the match,” he said. “They were good, they were free spirited and not bothered by the difficulties from the first half.
“They gave their best as always, the team is excellent and made up of young lads. We need time to find the right conviction, but we are at a good place.
“The squad has depth, everyone can play. There’s not starting line-up, but all are interchangeable. [Federico] Di Francesco can play as a second striker or an attacking midfielder because he has the skills, when we bought him we had clear ideas about his double role.”
Empoli picked up their 16th point in 12 games and Andreazzoli he’s happy looking at the table.
“The result doesn’t come alone, it must be built every week,” he said. “Not just by words, but with deeds and with a lot of work.
“There’s no experience that can be gained quickly, there’s no time to waste. The table is not a coincidence. I’m happy with the way the players behave and consequently with the position we are in.
“We play to be efficient, not beautiful.”