Empoli” data-scaytid=”1″>Empoli Coach Maurizio Sarri admits his young and inexperienced team will “have to prove we’re up to Serie A.”
Empoli Coach Maurizio Sarri admits his young and inexperienced team will “have to prove we’re up to Serie A.”
The Tuscans secured promotion from Serie B in second place behind Palermo last season, while Cesena qualified via the play-offs.
“We lost the play-offs two years ago, then last season were decidedly more confident. The club and fans never put pressure on us and it all went well,” Sarri told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Of our 23 players, only three have already played in Serie A. We’ll have to prove we’re up to Serie A standards.
“I do want to maintain our basic squad and philosophy from last season, so will see if we can compete for safety like that too.
“We can’t shift Francesco Tavano and Massimo Maccarone, as if we are in the top flight it is above all thanks to their goals. Who do I expect more from? Levan Mchedlidze.
“If it goes badly, it won’t be a drama. Just participating in Serie A should be a celebration for Empoli.”
It will also be the Serie A debut for Coach Sarri, who is not too concerned with this milestone.
“My dream was to perform my job with passion and I’ve been doing that for 10 years, so I was already satisfied.
“Serie A represents a further prize for me.”