Empoli vs Hellas Verona preview - Rugani can build on breakout year

After emerging from relative obscurity to break into the Italy squad in 2014, Daniele Rugani is looking forward to enjoying another memorable year with Empoli.

The on-loan Juventus defender helped the Azzurri to a second-placed finish in Serie B last summer and his resolute performances at the back have continued, with the Emilia-Romagna club suffering only five defeats in the top flight and ending the year in an impressive 13th place.

Rugani's form did not go unnoticed by Italy coach Antonio Conte, who included the 20-year-old in a senior selection ahead of November meetings with Croatia and Albania.

Ahead of Tuesday afternoon's Serie A meeting with Hellas Verona at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, the centre-back told the Corriere dello Sport: "It was a year we will never forget.

"We reached important milestones both as a team and as individuals: Empoli were promoted while my call-up from Conte filled me with pride.

"We have to continue in this direction and keep on improving.

"At the moment things are going well and there are people who have called me a 'phenomenon', but I have to remember that only a year ago I was a nobody.

"With hard work and dedication I've proved that any dream can become a reality."

Central midfielder Tiberio Guarente is Empoli's only injury concern while Verona look to respond to their derby defeat to Chievo without Artur Ionita, Mounir Obbadi, Bosko Jankovic, Juanito Gomez and the suspended Rafael Marquez.

Hellas boss Andrea Mandorlini has, however, strengthened his options with the loan capture of former Roma midfielder Leandro Greco from Genoa.

Verona are currently two places behind Empoli in 15th place having failed to win away from home since late September.