Empoli coach Marco Giampaolo is sorry to have lost Federico Barba to VfB Stuttgart.

The young defender left the Azzurri for the Bundesliga club on transfer deadline day.

Giampaolo said: “Barba? It's pointless to think about him now because he's gone," he said at today's Press conference ahead of the Serie A clash with Udinese.

“Federico is a player who expressed his qualities thanks to our defensive organisation. It'll definitely be difficult for him in Germany."