'Has nothing to envy of Fiorentina players' - Empoli coach explains why Anjorin was substituted

Empoli coach Roberto D’Aversa has heaped praise on Tino Anjorin after his performance against Fiorentina, despite substituting the midfielder early in the second half.

The Italian football tactician underlined that the Chelsea academy graduate is just as good as the players at Fiorentina.

Anjorin was a surprising inclusion in Empoli's starting lineup, given that he had only recently recovered from a thigh injury that kept him sidelined for over two months.

The former England youth international, who is eager to play for the Super Eagles, made way for Liam Henderson before the start of the second half.

Speaking after Empoli's 2-1 loss to Fiorentina on Sunday, D'Aversa admitted it was a calculated risk to name the midfielder in the starting lineup.

In quotes relayed by Tuttomercatoweb, he said: "He did well in the first half. It was a risk to start him from the first minute, but I wanted personality and the ability to play. 

“Technically, he is someone who has nothing to envy compared to the players of Fiorentina.”

Anjorin showed flashes of quality and composure on the ball, helping Empoli compete evenly against one of Serie A’s most technically gifted sides.

However, after picking up a yellow card, D'Aversa decided to act quickly to avoid the risk of a second booking.

"Of course, when he got the yellow I decided to take him off," D'Aversa explained. 

The 23-year-old has made nineteen appearances in the Serie A and scored his first goal in the division in a 2-2 draw against Venezia last weekend.

Fiorentina established a two-goal lead inside twenty-five minutes, with Yacine Adli and Rolando Mandragora getting on the scoresheet, but Jacopo Fazzini pulled one back for Empoli in the 57th minute.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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