Cagliari-Fiorentina

By: Jeremy | May 2nd, 2008

If Fiorentina was frustrated by the horrible tactics used by Rangers in the UEFA Cup semifinal, they are likely to see similar behavior from Cagliari when they hit the Sant Elia this weekend. Say what you want about Rangers, if you are playing a team that is clearly better then you are, you must try something to get a result. This could be putting out the extra striker and pushing forward or playing ten men behind the ball. Rangers did what they needed to do against a clearly better team. With Robert Acquafresca likely not playing this weekend, I wonder which tactic Cagliari will look to in hopes of stealing points in an ever tightening Serie A relegation battle.

I dont know if its best to catch a team as they look ahead to a big European match or when they are a little tired and returning from a tough loss in Europe. While we got lucky and tied Roma as they thought about Man U, I dont think that upcoming game was responsible for the result as Roma just played like crap. Dont get me wrong, Id rather see Fiorentina at this time rather then when they havent played in a week and are coming off a thrashing of some other relegation struggler. Anything that can give a slight advantage, even if mentally, is one Cagliari needs in this match.

Cagliari has really been great at home as they have not lost in their past 8 matches in Sardinia. Fiorentina has not lost to Cagliari in some time, so something has to give. Fiorentina will be tired, but everyone should be available to play. Cagliari is dealing with fitness concerns most notably with key players Acquafresca and Conti. We need those two guys as well as for Storari to return. If Matri is our lead striker or heaven forbid Larrivey gets to play, we are screwed. How Larrivey was only voted the third worst transfer in Serie A this year is beyond me. He was worse then anyone as he had no competition, was given all sorts of chances, and found himself third choice striker on an inept offensive team. Horrible.

In one week we went from five points clear of relegation to two points clear so the cushion goes away real quickly which is tough to see when you are facing your tough run of three games through three of Serie As best.

As much as Fiorentina would like to relax after a tough loss to Rangers, they are still only two points clear of Milan for the final Champions League spot. Fiorentina plays three relegation favorites the last three weeks of the year, so if they dont qualify for the Champions League, it is their own fault. Surely the coach will have them motivated to put the Rangers loss behind them and the players should know what is at stake so Cagliari is not going to get a distracted opponent.

As much as I need to look at how Cagliari can get points this week, I will be more focused on what the other relegation strugglers are doing. Cagliari needs points and a win would be unbelievable, but with a beaten up Acquafresca and Conti and Pasquale “the magician” Foggia not sure if he wants to play, Cagliari getting a goal will be tough, but the home crowd surely can inspire them to something magical that is not a disappearing act. As for the other relegation teams lets see what is likely to happen:

Catania v. Reggina- we need one team to win this match and I go back and forth who I want to win in terms of how it helps Cagliari. If Reggina beats Catania, Catania might lose out and finish with 35 points putting them relegated.

Torino plays Napoli-probably a boring draw leaving Torino on 35 points
Parma gets Genoa at home. Even with a win, they get Fiorentina and Inter to finish. 34 points gets them relegated. A loss to Genoa and we will have our first spot for relegation all but sewn up.

Empoli gets Udinese at home. Empoli is not quitting. They could be on 36 points after the weekend.
Livorno plays on the road to Atalanta and has a lot to make up. A loss makes them the first relegation team more then likely. A win tightens it up even more.

As things shake out, Cagliari can be safe before the last week of the season, but asking them to get points the next two weeks is tough. I still think no matter how things play out, a win against Reggina the final week saves them so I am sure they are looking at that match more then they should at this point. As a result, if an important player has the slightest knock, you wont see him this week versus Fiorentina or next week versus Udinese.

People will be chanting Rangers after they see us play this weekend. I think Fiorentina wins the game but with Cagliari at home needing points of any kind, I think a tie can be had.

Optimistic Prayer/Prediction Cagliari 1-1 Fiorentina