Atleast The Uniforms Were Not Yellow

By: Jeremy | November 10th, 2008

Well Cagliari fans, I honestly thought we could win the game in Catania this weekend. After Jedas goal in minute six, I thought it was going to be Bologna redux. As Catania fully realized, this was a relegation battle despite Catanias fine start. Its games like these that make safety so much easier to achieve for the winner. Unfortunately this game simply was a reminder that we are in the relegation fight to the end. The top half of the table finish and early safety will not be in the cards for us this year. Thats ok, if you are a fan of this team, nothing else can really be expected.

If you saw this game, while it was a little more wide open then typical Catania-Cagliari matches or Catania versus anyone for that matter, it was still a pretty sloppy game that even had the Catania fans booing. You know if your home fans are booing you when you are playing so over your head for so long, then they still realize that their team simply is not that good and wanted to voice some frustration. Serie A is tough so they really should be cheering. They now have 18 points from 11 games and are establishing safety, yet Zenga is fed up with the fans and is ready to leave. He is right, he should be celebrated as a hero for what he has done in Catania, but we know how heroes are treated. Ask Davide Ballardini who has got to be biggest glutton for punishment in the coaching ranks. Something about that island below Sardinia that is now taking its toll on Zenga. Palermo is a bigger circus then we ever will be.

As for the game, it could have gone either way, but when all the goals scored are garbage, its always the home team that seems to catch the last break. Jedas header that gave Cagliari the lead was weak and more a defensive header then a well placed one. If he meant to head the ball where he did forcing the cement shoed Catania goalie to do nothing, then he really has emerged as a great strike partner for Acquafresca. Mascaras goal to tie was also crap. After getting free just outside the box, he turned to shoot and mishit it. While it looked good going in, it was a weak shot that slowly found the right spot in the corner. Even Marchetti could not believe it went in. Game tied. Cagliari had the better chances, but none were serious and when Catania got a free kick in minute 84 just outside the box, as it was taken it seemed like the Cagliari wall just jumped up leaving Marchetti no real chance. Again a poorly defended free kick that resulted in a goal. Game over, Catania steals three points.

This is one of those games you just want to forget. You cant be overly upset that you lost because we were the better team, but there was no inspired play and we looked lethargic against a team that is pretty bad in my opinion. Catania fans saw how bad their team was and the boos rained down because they are delusional thinking they are suddenly a top team in contention for the UEFA Cup. They have as much chance at European football for next year as Cagliari.

The bottom line is we failed to get points against a team on the road who is not better then we are, but higher in the standings. This solidifies the relegation battle that we are in. Props to Catania for doing what they had to do to win. After these losses to Genoa and Catania on the road, I am simply prepared to look at our team in terms of what it takes to survive. Maybe I was getting a little delusional thinking that we were on a roll after the bad start to think a 2-1 victory was really going to happen.

But there is good news. We are still clear of Bologna, Reggina, and Chievo, the main relegation teams. Siena and Lecce are still in our sights so they face the same relegation issues we do despite their better then expected play. After losing our first five, we have to be happy with our position and Allegri has really shown a lot of calm. From what was a crisis to what now seems like a calm situation is much the result of his approach. Dont panic, things will be alright.

But the greatest thrill of the weekend is me realizing that we seem to have gotten rid of those ugly mustard road uniforms that make players look like they are five years older and five steps slower. The white road uniforms look great and those red home uniforms make the team look and play better.

With Fiorentina coming to Sardinia next week, things dont get any easier, but damn it if we wont look good on the pitch.