Cagliari-Lazio and Some New Player(s)?

By: Jeremy | August 29th, 2008

With the transfer window closing Monday and the season getting underway on Sunday, there is always the potential that a new player or two could arrive at the last minute even if they cant help the club beginning with the first game. Considering Cagliari managment has essentially slept through the summer, to see a last minute signing to help in our weakest area is good news even if you wonder why the deal could not have been made in time to get him here for the first game.

In the case of our latest signing, Defender Carlos Matheu, he has had an interesting summer and will be playing for Cagliari instead of Lokomotiv in Moscow which is where he was a heartbeat away from trading in Argentina for Moscow. This guy is a young up and coming defender from Independiente in Argentina who originally signed with Lokomotiv Moscow until a heart defect caused the transfer to fall through. It seemed to be overblown and Cagliari made a last minute push to get him paying 3million US for him. The ink is still drying on the contract. Considering the weakness in our defense and the minimal options left, this is a good signing. He will bring some youth and offensive mindset to an aging and swiss cheese defense. He is a good match with Canini and hopefully they can establish themselves in Serie and make this one of our strengths. After last years experience with Larrivey, I am surprised we went back to Argentina to get another player. I dont think he will play the first couple of games as he is still in Argentina and has to fly over and get used to the team. We definitely wont see him this weekend against Lazio but his signing has to help the mindset of his teammates.

This last minute signing makes me think that Cellino has woken up and realizes that he failed to bring in the players needed to keep this team competitive and may make some last minute signings to get us back in the survival game. While the hot rumor is the next to sign will be the Aussie guy Valeri, I cant see Cellino shelling out Grosettos 5mil asking price when he wouldnt pay less then that for Foggia. Valeri is no Foggia. Allegris ties to Valeri and Grosetto have to make us the favorite to get him and he can help us once he gets some Serie A experience, but I think the price will have to come down for us to sign him. With the player content to be in Serie B as he loves Grosetto, I think he will be a winter transfer target but Cellino is so irrational he might get a deal done. Even a good year in Serie B is not going to make this guy worth 5 million. If Valeri plays in Serie A this year, I think he will play with Cagliari but I cant see us paying the asking price.

Lazio has done the opposite of what Cagliari has done this summer and has reloaded with players after finishing mid table last year, which was disappointing for this historic club. I expect them to push for a UEFA Cup spot this year with new players like goalie Carrizo from River Plate, Striker Zarate from Al Sadd, and Midfielder Matuzalem from relegated Real Zaragoza. They even got young Brochhi from Milan who will help them this year. Management has done for their club what Cagliari should have been doing. It will take some time for these players to gell and with stud Rocchi likely out for this game and young star Evacuo also not playing, Cagliari could be catching an early season break by getting to face a better team before it has a chance to be at its best.

Cagliari comes into opening weekend at home with heroes from last year essentially gone and a lot of mediocrity remaining with the only meaningful new player being Storaris replacement Marchetti. Acquafresca returns on loan from Inter as he is now their player in full, and will be asked to score a bunch to keep this team in games. While Ive discussed this at length previously, his success will determine the teams success which might be asking a lot for even a great young player like him. If we focus on defense and leave him to fend for himself, we are in huge trouble and his frustrations will show quickly which will take the team down with him.

Depending on the tactics, Allegri could put Matri and Jeda on the field together to help create a semi decent attack, but I will be interested to see if a Jeda/Acquafresca strike partnership can work. Otherwise, its essentially the same non discript guys from last year coming back in the same positions. With Foggia likely playing for Lazio, the home fans will be raining the insults down upon him. As good as Foggia is, there is still not a guaranteed starting spot for him which shows you how good Lazio should be this year. I still cant believe we did not buy him for the price asked.

Opening days are always exciting and anything can happen as emotions or lack thereof often outweigh the level of talent on the field. We looked like Serie A champs in week one last year as we pummelled what turned out to be a good Napoli club. Even after a good result against Juve the following week, we all saw what happened from there. With Lazio facing the newness that seems similar to Napoli at this time last year, combined with the emotions of opening day and this game being at home, we could pull a surprise.

Unless you are playing one of the top 5 teams, points are really a must at home. While we need to beat fellow relegation candidates at home, we need to get something against teams like Lazio when we are at home.

Opening weekend is exciting no matter how disappointed you are in where your team seems to be or is predicted to finish. As much as we want to complain about the offseason destruction of a team that roared through Serie A in the second half of last year, we are indeed lucky to be in Serie A. I am sure the fans of Empoli and Livorno wish they were in our shoes. With a positive attitude by the players and fans, we can get points this weekend. Even early in the season, points are vital, and a positive result this week can lead us into a huge game in Siena next week with the belief we can win on the road. A loss followed by a bad performance in Sienas home opener, puts us behind a strong relegation candidate with an upcoming asskicking coming at the hands of Juve. Not how you want to start. Things can get out of hands quick so even against a strong club like Lazio, we need points this weekend.

Im excited for the season to start and I think we will be there from the opening whistle with the Sant Elia rocking and will steal a point in this game.

Prediction Cagliari 1-1 Lazio.

Enjoy the weekend Serie A fans no matter who you support.