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Juventus vs Empoli: 3 key Empoli players to watch out for

By Jyotirmoy Halder

CARLO CASTELLANI STADIUM, EMPOLI, ITALY - 2021/08/21: Filippo Bandinelli of Empoli FC celebrates after scoring the goal of 1-0 during the Serie A football match between Empoli FC and SS Lazio. SS Lazio won 3-1 over Empoli FC. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
CARLO CASTELLANI STADIUM, EMPOLI, ITALY - 2021/08/21: Filippo Bandinelli of Empoli FC celebrates after scoring the goal of 1-0 during the Serie A football match between Empoli FC and SS Lazio. SS Lazio won 3-1 over Empoli FC. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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2. Nedim Bajrami

Nedim Bajrami, Empoli (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Nedim Bajrami, Empoli (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) /

The 2021/22 campaign celebrates Nedim Bajrami’s third season at Empoli. Signed from Grasshoppers — a cub from the top-tier of the Swiss Super League — initially on a loan deal with an option to buy in 2019, the North Macedonian had 13 goal contributions to his name for Empoli in their promotion-securing campaign last term. He logged five goals and eight assists from 2,147 minutes of football in Serie B (according to FBref.com).

Known for his natural creativity, Bajrami is considered one of the best prospects representing Switzerland national side in junior levels. Utilising the playmaker’s respective trait, Andreazzoli has seemingly decided to make him the fulcrum of his rejuvenated Empoli side. And that was apparent in the last weekend’s meeting with Lazio.

Against the Biancocelesti, Bajrami occupied the zenith of the midfield diamond employed by Andreazzoli in the 4-4-2 formation. Operating from the number ten position — which, according to Colombian superstar James Rodriguez, is a dying species in the modern game — Bajrami was seen pulling the strings in the game against Lazio. Playing just behind the strikers, the 22-year-old became the only player to complete four key passes (per Whoscored.com) in the game between both sides.

He was adept at finding unoccupied spaces and providing through balls with his hawk-eye vision. Threading the pass for Bandinelli’s goal at the fourth minute of the game against Lazio, Bajrami clinched his first assist of the 2021/22 Serie A campaign.

With Aaron Ramsey officially unfit to play the game against Empoli, Manuel Locatelli is likely to get his first start in the Juventus shirt this weekend. If anything, he will be deployed as a replacement for Ramsey in Bianconeri’s starting line-up. And there is a high probability of a head-to-head taking place between Bajrami and Locatelli at the heart of the field. The better of the two will eventually conquer the night.

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