Empoli manager Roberto D’Aversa addressed the media ahead of his team’s crucial away match against Lecce. He emphasized that Lecce has won many direct clashes at home and described it as an environment that pushes a lot. “This match is important; we must be good at dampening the enthusiasm, and we must do it by playing our game at our best, both physically and mentally.”
Reflecting on his return to his former club, D’Aversa shared, “After what happened, I stayed living in Lecce, partly because the children were going to school and partly because we had many friends. It will be a pleasure to see many people again, even within the club. I can’t forget the emotions I experienced in that stadium. That said, it’s clear that I’m Empoli’s coach now, and it’s right that we go there thinking about the fact that it’s an important challenge.”
On the team’s defensive performance, he noted, “When the collective works, the individual also stands out. This aspect is very important, not just for us who need to avoid relegation. Often the best defenses are those that win; usually, the goal difference reflects the league position. We need to improve on putting the same determination in the defensive phase also in the finishing phase.”
Discussing Lecce’s playing style, D’Aversa remarked, “Lecce has changed their playing system and attitude, although they perhaps have a different approach at home versus away. They defend in a 4-5-1; they’re compact. We need to think about their strengths and try to highlight those weaknesses they’ll show us. They have fast players; we need to be lucid, technically valid, and good at winning duels.”
Regarding potential absences in his squad, he stated, “Having played Monday night and playing a match so close, we need to evaluate the recovery of those who played. There are difficulties, but it’s useless to reason about the absentees. It seems banal and obvious, but we must only think about doing better, without alibis.”
