June 8, 2024 • 11 mins
Empoli FC and All Whites footballer Libby Cacace joins Piney to recap the Serie A season - and discuss the OFC Nations cup.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Second ball won by Casach. What it Wow?
Speaker 3 (00:18):
That's why there's so much fuss about him. Liberato Casach,
the highly rated fullback, has struck home from fully twenty
five thirty yards there a goal straight out of the
top draw.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
They almost got his name right.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Coming up four years since Liby Kcacci left Wellington Phoenix,
first for Belgium and then on to Italy with Empali.
He's just finished his third season with Empoli. I caught
up with Liby Caccacci this week. He's home for a
little bit before he heads off to the Nation's Cup,
and I asked first of all about the recently completed
roller coaster of a Serir season, which saw Empoli avoid
(00:56):
relegation with a last minute goal on the very last
day of the season.
Speaker 5 (01:02):
Like you said, a roller coaster. You know, started pretty
pretty badly.
Speaker 6 (01:09):
I've gone through three coaches, but you know, I learned
so much, you know, mentally, emotionally, physically and to be
safe on the last day and the last kick of
the game was amazing and I couldn't sleep until I
arrived back and back in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
So tell us about that the last few weeks with
the threat of relegations kind of hanging over the team.
How much pressure does that put on you as a
playing group when you're really every point is so precious.
Speaker 6 (01:34):
Yeah, yeah, I can't really describe the pressure, you know,
because I didn't deal with it obviously when I was
playing at the Phoenix here. You know, it comes down
to the playing group. You know, you get nice and
you get a good group of lads and you're really
buying together and really fight that one out. But you
know you're going every week fighting, fighting basically for your life,
for your family, and it's just crazy work out there.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
How intense is the pressure from the fans and from
I mean because Italy's football mad, right, the fans just
that they live and breathe the football club. How intense
is the pressure? And do you are you able to
absorb it, block it out? How do you deal with it?
Speaker 5 (02:12):
Yeah, it's it's it's tough, you know, even though we're
a small town.
Speaker 6 (02:15):
You know, every time I would go up to the
supermarket or grab a coffee, everyone's you know, saying come on,
you know, the town's behind you.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Got to do this for the town.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
You know, it's big for Emply, But yeah, I seem
to just block it out. And even though I wasn't
playing as much at the end, and then when I
once I realized I was playing the last game of
the season to try to save the club, you know,
I just thought, you know, it's just just a ninety
minute game. I kind of like you said, block everything
(02:44):
out and just play the footy.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
I love.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
So the ball hits the back of the need and
the ninety third or whatever it is, final whistle goes.
You're staying up. What are the emotions like and what
are a few hours after the final whistill like for
the for the players.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Yeah, So, to be honest, as the game went on,
I was just thinking, like, what am I going to
do now?
Speaker 6 (03:05):
I thought we're gonna go to Siri b you know,
and then we scored. I just dropped to my dropped
to my knees. It was an unbelievable feeling of feeling
I've never you know, never had before. And you know,
coming back into the change room, people were, you know, celebrating,
but at the same time, a lot of them were crying,
you know, because it was just a crazy week and
(03:26):
it is tough mentally, very very heavy for everyone, especially with.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
Ones who have got families. But to do it like
we did, I'll do it all over again.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
How devastating would a drop down to siri b have been?
Because simply were there, what about three or four years ago?
Weren't they You know, it's not like you've been always
in siri Are. But how devastating would it have been
to drop down?
Speaker 6 (03:48):
No, so the coach was he said, you know, if
we stayed up, would be would be creating history for
the club, being four consecutive seasons. So that was a
real motivator for us to create some history, but not
for everyone. But if we were to go down, you know,
it would be the likes of salaries being halved, do
you know, really hurt people financially and also you know,
(04:11):
players that were contracted for next season, so it just
becomes a bit messy, and you know, you don't want
that in your career, to be relegated.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
So you're third season, then now that's the end of
your third season. Thirty one games, eighteen starts, thirty off
the bench. I think are you starting to feel at
home in siri Are?
Speaker 6 (04:28):
Now, yeah, I'd say so if I was looking at
games that my parents have recorded on you know, the
my sky, and I was looking at the first few
games I had, And to be honest, I think I've
come a long way as a player. You know, I've
got used to the league, and I think I've come
leaps and bounds since my first games in Syria.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
What are the big challenges of playing at that level
for you?
Speaker 5 (04:54):
As you know, it's just the big challenge for me.
Speaker 6 (04:56):
And you know, when I would make mistakes while playing,
you know, I'd be punished straight away and they'll obviously
lead to you know, losses for the team. And then
usually when I would make the mistake, I would play
the next game, but I would usually see the bench,
which is one thing that you know, it was a
big mental challenge for me, was you know, having to
(05:16):
bide my time and wait for the next opportunity. But
luckily when the next opportunity came, I performed really well
against against Rome.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
I thought, yeah, that that last game, the game against
romer A lot of people observers I've done a bit
of reading, you know, people say, what one of your
best performance is in an Impoli shirt? How How cool
was it for you to do that in such a
massive game for the club.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
Yeah, it was amazing, amazing for me personally, Like I
mentioned before, you know, I hadn't played a lot of
games leading up to that, and to do that for
the club, for the fans, for my teammates who you know,
were really good to me in that in that time
where it was a bit a bit down to do
it and to finish the season like I did for
(06:03):
me personally was a great satisfaction.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
So I think you hit the ball on the net
at one stage during the season chalked off.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
When's this first Serier goal coming?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Man?
Speaker 6 (06:12):
Yeah, I actually got it chalked off twice and.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
My third in Europe so to VR.
Speaker 6 (06:20):
So i haven't been really lucky with the VR, but
I'm coming closer, and yeah it will come very soon.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
In terms of where you are with your contract and
that sort of thing, what is your situation currently?
Speaker 6 (06:33):
So I've got another year with the club and also
another option to extender for another year after that. Yeah,
right now, it's really early to say what will happen
next season. But as long as I'm still in Syria
and helping the club, that's all.
Speaker 5 (06:47):
That matters.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
So does it feel now as though the next goal
is to is to really lock in a starting spot
week on week instead of you know, bouncing between the
starting spot and being on the bench.
Speaker 6 (06:56):
Yeah, you could say that, but at the same time,
I'm always wanting to improve myself and you know, it's
been three years.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
We'll see what happens.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
So you're home now, but very shortly you'll be off
to the Nation's Cup. Was there any temptation Lebby to
have a full off season, to have a full break
and not answer the call from Darren Basely?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I could have easily turned it down.
Speaker 6 (07:20):
But you know, when Bays gave me the call, I thought,
you know, it was a time for me to come home, really.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
Connect back with my roots.
Speaker 6 (07:29):
And I knew that obviously the tournament was going to
be next to New Zealand, so I thought if I
could do two weeks with the family and for two
weeks with my national side, I thought.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Yeah, why not? And on towards another World Cup. Psychologously,
the chance to go to a World Cup is that something?
I mean obviously a club is your bread and butter,
but you still have strong international ambitions. The Nation's Cup
inclusion shows that you have to go to a World Cup.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
With New Zealand.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yeah, of course for me, the national side and national
achievements is a big part of what I want to do.
And I think with the team, with the group of
players we've got coming through, we can really do something
in the in the next World Cup cycle.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
And what about the Phoenix, your you know, one of
your first professional club. I've had a good season. I'm
not sure where they can see the A League in
Italy or not, but have you sort of kept tabs
on on how they've been going.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
Yeah, luckily the YouTube you know that does the live stream,
so I've been watching, especially the back end of the season.
I watched all the obviously all the playoff finals and that,
and you know what a shame how how they ended it.
But you know what, what chief he did there and
(08:38):
what the boys did there. They almost made the final.
But they had an amazing season, all of them.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
And Alex Paulson, one of your former academy teammates, has
just today actually been confirmed off to the Premier League
with Bournemouth. How do he assess his ability to take
the next step in his career?
Speaker 6 (08:54):
Yeah, I'm so happy for ap. You know, he's deserved.
He's had an unbelievable season. He's also a great guy
as well, not just a great footballer, and you know
he's got what it takes to go into Europe.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
He's got a great head on the shoulders. And yeah,
I wish them all the best.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
And just finally, back to your life in Italy. Like
I say, we think about New Zealand being a rugby
mad country times out by one hundred for Italy. And
it's football, obviously, what is life like for you as
a professional footballer?
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Are you able to go out? You know, can you
move around? Okay? What's your life like now?
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (09:28):
And impley, you know, it's you know, you obviously get
stopped and us photos and all things like that. But
you know, I try to keep my profile low key
and you know, just enjoy my time because I feel
like I'm quite lucky to live in such a great
part of the world, you know, eating such great food,
and you know, the culture and the environment is unbelievable
(09:52):
over in Europe.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
And what about the criticism that you know or the
feedback you we call it the constructive feedback that definitely comes.
You know, do you are you able to you know,
to filter that and just take on board the opinions
that actually matter to you.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 6 (10:06):
You know social media it's it's a big thing now
for for professional athletes.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
You know, what can you say? Really? You know it's there.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
You know you've got to read it sometimes sometimes you
got to block it out. I guess the strong ones,
you know, they block it out and it's what you
have to do sometimes.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
And this is finally flying home.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Did you have a look down at Wakefield Park Island
Bay and think about where it all started for you?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (10:33):
I took a drive past it there. You know, they've
redone the turf. Hopefully I'll go down to watch Island
Bay because now they're in the I don't know if
they call it Central League, they still still do, yeah,
and now they're there, so I'd like to go watch
a game there and support them. I've always supported them
obviously since I've left. Wish them always the best.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Good to see you mate, Thanks for the chet cheer.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Thanks planning that is.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
Libby Kacacchi, one of our top male footballer is playing
around the world in Italy, but shortly off to the
Nation's Cup in vana Watu with the Your Whites They
First Go is about ten days away.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk set B Weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Second ball won by Casach. What it Wow?
Speaker 3 (00:18):
That's why there's so much fuss about him. Liberato Casach,
the highly rated fullback, has struck home from fully twenty
five thirty yards there a goal straight out of the
top draw.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
They almost got his name right.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Coming up four years since Liby Kcacci left Wellington Phoenix,
first for Belgium and then on to Italy with Empali.
He's just finished his third season with Empoli. I caught
up with Liby Caccacci this week. He's home for a
little bit before he heads off to the Nation's Cup,
and I asked first of all about the recently completed
roller coaster of a Serir season, which saw Empoli avoid
(00:56):
relegation with a last minute goal on the very last
day of the season.
Speaker 5 (01:02):
Like you said, a roller coaster. You know, started pretty
pretty badly.
Speaker 6 (01:09):
I've gone through three coaches, but you know, I learned
so much, you know, mentally, emotionally, physically and to be
safe on the last day and the last kick of
the game was amazing and I couldn't sleep until I
arrived back and back in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
So tell us about that the last few weeks with
the threat of relegations kind of hanging over the team.
How much pressure does that put on you as a
playing group when you're really every point is so precious.
Speaker 6 (01:34):
Yeah, yeah, I can't really describe the pressure, you know,
because I didn't deal with it obviously when I was
playing at the Phoenix here. You know, it comes down
to the playing group. You know, you get nice and
you get a good group of lads and you're really
buying together and really fight that one out. But you
know you're going every week fighting, fighting basically for your life,
for your family, and it's just crazy work out there.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
How intense is the pressure from the fans and from
I mean because Italy's football mad, right, the fans just
that they live and breathe the football club. How intense
is the pressure? And do you are you able to
absorb it, block it out? How do you deal with it?
Speaker 5 (02:12):
Yeah, it's it's it's tough, you know, even though we're
a small town.
Speaker 6 (02:15):
You know, every time I would go up to the
supermarket or grab a coffee, everyone's you know, saying come on,
you know, the town's behind you.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
Got to do this for the town.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
You know, it's big for Emply, But yeah, I seem
to just block it out. And even though I wasn't
playing as much at the end, and then when I
once I realized I was playing the last game of
the season to try to save the club, you know,
I just thought, you know, it's just just a ninety
minute game. I kind of like you said, block everything
(02:44):
out and just play the footy.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
I love.
Speaker 4 (02:48):
So the ball hits the back of the need and
the ninety third or whatever it is, final whistle goes.
You're staying up. What are the emotions like and what
are a few hours after the final whistill like for
the for the players.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Yeah, So, to be honest, as the game went on,
I was just thinking, like, what am I going to
do now?
Speaker 6 (03:05):
I thought we're gonna go to Siri b you know,
and then we scored. I just dropped to my dropped
to my knees. It was an unbelievable feeling of feeling
I've never you know, never had before. And you know,
coming back into the change room, people were, you know, celebrating,
but at the same time, a lot of them were crying,
you know, because it was just a crazy week and
(03:26):
it is tough mentally, very very heavy for everyone, especially with.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
Ones who have got families. But to do it like
we did, I'll do it all over again.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
How devastating would a drop down to siri b have been?
Because simply were there, what about three or four years ago?
Weren't they You know, it's not like you've been always
in siri Are. But how devastating would it have been
to drop down?
Speaker 6 (03:48):
No, so the coach was he said, you know, if
we stayed up, would be would be creating history for
the club, being four consecutive seasons. So that was a
real motivator for us to create some history, but not
for everyone. But if we were to go down, you know,
it would be the likes of salaries being halved, do
you know, really hurt people financially and also you know,
(04:11):
players that were contracted for next season, so it just
becomes a bit messy, and you know, you don't want
that in your career, to be relegated.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
So you're third season, then now that's the end of
your third season. Thirty one games, eighteen starts, thirty off
the bench. I think are you starting to feel at
home in siri Are?
Speaker 6 (04:28):
Now, yeah, I'd say so if I was looking at
games that my parents have recorded on you know, the
my sky, and I was looking at the first few
games I had, And to be honest, I think I've
come a long way as a player. You know, I've
got used to the league, and I think I've come
leaps and bounds since my first games in Syria.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
What are the big challenges of playing at that level
for you?
Speaker 5 (04:54):
As you know, it's just the big challenge for me.
Speaker 6 (04:56):
And you know, when I would make mistakes while playing,
you know, I'd be punished straight away and they'll obviously
lead to you know, losses for the team. And then
usually when I would make the mistake, I would play
the next game, but I would usually see the bench,
which is one thing that you know, it was a
big mental challenge for me, was you know, having to
(05:16):
bide my time and wait for the next opportunity. But
luckily when the next opportunity came, I performed really well
against against Rome.
Speaker 4 (05:26):
I thought, yeah, that that last game, the game against
romer A lot of people observers I've done a bit
of reading, you know, people say, what one of your
best performance is in an Impoli shirt? How How cool
was it for you to do that in such a
massive game for the club.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
Yeah, it was amazing, amazing for me personally, Like I
mentioned before, you know, I hadn't played a lot of
games leading up to that, and to do that for
the club, for the fans, for my teammates who you know,
were really good to me in that in that time
where it was a bit a bit down to do
it and to finish the season like I did for
(06:03):
me personally was a great satisfaction.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
So I think you hit the ball on the net
at one stage during the season chalked off.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
When's this first Serier goal coming?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Man?
Speaker 6 (06:12):
Yeah, I actually got it chalked off twice and.
Speaker 5 (06:17):
My third in Europe so to VR.
Speaker 6 (06:20):
So i haven't been really lucky with the VR, but
I'm coming closer, and yeah it will come very soon.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
In terms of where you are with your contract and
that sort of thing, what is your situation currently?
Speaker 6 (06:33):
So I've got another year with the club and also
another option to extender for another year after that. Yeah,
right now, it's really early to say what will happen
next season. But as long as I'm still in Syria
and helping the club, that's all.
Speaker 5 (06:47):
That matters.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
So does it feel now as though the next goal
is to is to really lock in a starting spot
week on week instead of you know, bouncing between the
starting spot and being on the bench.
Speaker 6 (06:56):
Yeah, you could say that, but at the same time,
I'm always wanting to improve myself and you know, it's
been three years.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
We'll see what happens.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
So you're home now, but very shortly you'll be off
to the Nation's Cup. Was there any temptation Lebby to
have a full off season, to have a full break
and not answer the call from Darren Basely?
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (07:17):
I could have easily turned it down.
Speaker 6 (07:20):
But you know, when Bays gave me the call, I thought,
you know, it was a time for me to come home, really.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
Connect back with my roots.
Speaker 6 (07:29):
And I knew that obviously the tournament was going to
be next to New Zealand, so I thought if I
could do two weeks with the family and for two
weeks with my national side, I thought.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
Yeah, why not? And on towards another World Cup. Psychologously,
the chance to go to a World Cup is that something?
I mean obviously a club is your bread and butter,
but you still have strong international ambitions. The Nation's Cup
inclusion shows that you have to go to a World Cup.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
With New Zealand.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yeah, of course for me, the national side and national
achievements is a big part of what I want to do.
And I think with the team, with the group of
players we've got coming through, we can really do something
in the in the next World Cup cycle.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
And what about the Phoenix, your you know, one of
your first professional club. I've had a good season. I'm
not sure where they can see the A League in
Italy or not, but have you sort of kept tabs
on on how they've been going.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
Yeah, luckily the YouTube you know that does the live stream,
so I've been watching, especially the back end of the season.
I watched all the obviously all the playoff finals and that,
and you know what a shame how how they ended it.
But you know what, what chief he did there and
(08:38):
what the boys did there. They almost made the final.
But they had an amazing season, all of them.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
And Alex Paulson, one of your former academy teammates, has
just today actually been confirmed off to the Premier League
with Bournemouth. How do he assess his ability to take
the next step in his career?
Speaker 6 (08:54):
Yeah, I'm so happy for ap. You know, he's deserved.
He's had an unbelievable season. He's also a great guy
as well, not just a great footballer, and you know
he's got what it takes to go into Europe.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
He's got a great head on the shoulders. And yeah,
I wish them all the best.
Speaker 4 (09:11):
And just finally, back to your life in Italy. Like
I say, we think about New Zealand being a rugby
mad country times out by one hundred for Italy. And
it's football, obviously, what is life like for you as
a professional footballer?
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Are you able to go out? You know, can you
move around? Okay? What's your life like now?
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (09:28):
And impley, you know, it's you know, you obviously get
stopped and us photos and all things like that. But
you know, I try to keep my profile low key
and you know, just enjoy my time because I feel
like I'm quite lucky to live in such a great
part of the world, you know, eating such great food,
and you know, the culture and the environment is unbelievable
(09:52):
over in Europe.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
And what about the criticism that you know or the
feedback you we call it the constructive feedback that definitely comes.
You know, do you are you able to you know,
to filter that and just take on board the opinions
that actually matter to you.
Speaker 5 (10:05):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 6 (10:06):
You know social media it's it's a big thing now
for for professional athletes.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
You know, what can you say? Really? You know it's there.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
You know you've got to read it sometimes sometimes you
got to block it out. I guess the strong ones,
you know, they block it out and it's what you
have to do sometimes.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
And this is finally flying home.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Did you have a look down at Wakefield Park Island
Bay and think about where it all started for you?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (10:33):
I took a drive past it there. You know, they've
redone the turf. Hopefully I'll go down to watch Island
Bay because now they're in the I don't know if
they call it Central League, they still still do, yeah,
and now they're there, so I'd like to go watch
a game there and support them. I've always supported them
obviously since I've left. Wish them always the best.
Speaker 2 (10:53):
Good to see you mate, Thanks for the chet cheer.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Thanks planning that is.
Speaker 4 (10:56):
Libby Kacacchi, one of our top male footballer is playing
around the world in Italy, but shortly off to the
Nation's Cup in vana Watu with the Your Whites They
First Go is about ten days away.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk set B Weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.