Empoli manager Roberto D’Aversa addressed the media ahead of his team’s Serie A clash with Bologna, emphasizing the need to build on their recent positive results while staying focused.
Reflecting on the team’s last two matches, D’Aversa said: “The team has done excellent things in these two games, there are aspects to improve but it doesn’t worry me. What I want to emphasize is that despite winning a game against Roma, we must not let our guard down. What the boys have done so far must be repeated.”
The manager stressed the importance of set-pieces, stating: “I believe that set-piece situations often lead to breaking the balance of the match. The boys need to work on them with conviction, I was surprised by how quickly they absorb the schemes.”
On facing Bologna, D’Aversa commented: “We shouldn’t look at their recent results. They’ve played two good games, they’ll certainly enter the field to win. Their coach plays very aggressively in the defensive phase, man-to-man. We’re prepared for how they’ll present themselves.”
Addressing the challenge of keeping the team grounded after their historic win at Roma, D’Aversa said: “I have enough experience to make it clear that just because we win a game in a place like Rome, it doesn’t give us the right to approach matches more easily. I believe this team must think across all 38 games with the goal we’ve set ourselves.”
When asked about new signings, D’Aversa remained focused on the immediate task: “My thoughts at this moment are only on tomorrow’s game against Bologna. The new arrivals trained this morning, except for De Sciglio and Anjorin. We must only think about the match, it will be a very, very important game.”
On the departure of Francesco Caputo, D’Aversa simply stated: “We wish Francesco all the best.”
Regarding the upcoming Serie A season, D’Aversa concluded: “The Serie A championship is always complicated. We must reason game by game. What I want to continue to see in training is what I’ve seen so far. We must always try to work to improve. If we go on the field in a determined way, if we make fewer mistakes, we have shown that we can play even with the big teams.”
