That run, which included a four-game winning streak going into the international break, has catapulted Empoli into unforeseen territory. They now sit eighth, a single point behind both Milan and Sassuolo, who are deadlocked at 32. Central defender Lorenzo Tonelli has continued to play at a high level in the absence of his former partner, Rugani, and old-timer Massimo Maccarone has played one of his best seasons in years at the front line. Their proximity in the standings gives this game a significance that was hard to envision when these two teams first met in August.
Instead of a guaranteed three points, these matches tend to be stressful at best and downright awful at worst. In years past, Empoli fell into that category. Now you have to wonder whether they do. Almost everyone tipped Empoli for the bottom half of the table this season. With coach Maurizio Sarri gone to Napoli and star center back Daniele Rugani back to his mother club Juventus, most observers figured they'd have to stave off the drop. Marco Giampaolo took over and has proved himself to be a worthy successor to Sarri. After a rough start—Empoli lost four of their first six games—the Azzurri have been a different team since October began. In their last 14 games, their record (W-D-L) is 8-3-3, and the only loss in their last eight was a 1-0 reverse against Inter.