We Arent Finished Yet!!

What a weekend in Serie A!!. Just to go off topic a bit, how about Pippo Inzaghi. That guy needs a statue in Milan when his playing days are over. Inzaghi would even say how about Cagliari. We might be the laughing stock of the league but we are doing all we can to fight back from a horrible start. The uncertainty that existed with players and coaches in the first half is almost an afterthought and after todays 1-0 win at home against Lazio, we are slowly joining the discussion of teams who will actually be fighting for relegation.

For the most part, it has been assumed we would be relegated after a horrible first half of the season and a set of transfers that was widely criticized by most including myself. Now we are winning some games in dramatic fashion that we would have lost in the first half of the season and the new transfer players, Jeda and Storari, are a big part of the turn around.

Let me sum up todays game against Lazio. Boring first half that finished 0-0 with Lazio having the better chances. Second half both teams up the ante, but things change when Michele Fini is given a straight red for a poor challenge in the 62nd minute. This is where Cagliari showed its new spirit and instead of pissing away another game, they played better with ten men. Once the home crowd was finished booing Larrivey off the pitch, in the 74th minute, he was replaced by soon to be Cagliari legend Alessandro Matri. Maybe he is a Serie A player after all. Cagliari had the better of the chances until they finally broke through when Agostini crossed the ball from the left sideline and Matri ran across the middle of the penalty area to beat a slack defense to the ball where his slight header beats a flat footed Lazio goalie. The Stadio Sant Elia goes nuts, a stunned Lazio cant find the answer, and the game ends with a valuable three points for the Rossoblu.

I cannot emphasize enough how big this win was for us. With Reggina stealing three points from Juve, a loss would have left Cagliari 6 points behind the next closest team in the standings(Reggina) and realistically that kind of gap this late cant be closed down because to be last and that far behind is as much mentally destructive as it is mathmatecially. But while we are still three points behind Reggina and in last, the pack is closer and now there are more teams that must look at relegation as a possibility. Pretty much every team from Torino on down must now know they are in a dogfight to survive. A loss for Lazio destroyed last weeks momentum and makes them go from thinking Europe is possible to looking at relegation possibilities. A last minute goal from Napoli today in their game helped tighten things up even more in the standings.

The club has to be on a high like they have not seen since week two. The fans have to be getting excited not only at the teams play but also the fact that the games still mean something each week and that the players are uniting and not quitting. Going down to ten men and pulling out a win is amazing. What a goal by Matri. He needs to be starting over Larrivey who again should not be playing. I still want to see Acquafresca on the field more, but with Jeda playing so well and linking the midfield to the attack so well, we might not see him as much. Jeda has been brilliant and I am still a big fan of Davide Biondini whose work rate is unmatched. He is perfect for this team. Storari has even brought an arrogance to the goalkeeping that makes me feel confident unlike I have in recent years. He makes some great saves, has a great presence, and has helped bring an enthusiasm and stability to the team that was clearly lacking. I laughed at the winter transfers but Jeda and Storari are the difference and the second half results clearly show how important they are.

Next week is yet another huge week. We play Siena on the road and a win will tighten the relegation race even more. There are still plenty of weeks left to escape the relegation zone, but with games against most of the top teams still to play, you have to win these games against teams like Siena to set yourself up for a finish that will save the team. I think the momentum gained from this weeks result will carry over to a win next week.

While we take a deep breath and thank the soccer gods for the reversal of fortunes, lets just enjoy a great win. The other teams have to know that this team is not going to quit and will do everything to fight for themselves and their fans even if the President has quit on them. We are not Ascoli of last year.

Way to go boys!! I am a proud fan and only wish I could have been there to see Matris goal. Those teams that play us later better think twice before they assume it will be an easy three points. We are still here and fighting!!

Forza Cagliari!!

Category: Cagliari, Serie A