Cagliari-Sampdoria and a Cool Video

By: Jeremy | March 21st, 2008

Before I discuss this weekends big game, I wanted to share a You Tube video from the midweek game against Atalanta. It is basically a video shot by some friends who went to the game together. It shows the players warming up, game action, the celebration in the crowd after Acquafrescas goal, and the happiness shown by the players and crowd after the match. For those of us who dont have local matches to attend, these kinds of videos give the best sense of a stadium atmosphere during the game.

Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG6gL2LSzeU

This kind of video always makes me think about how happy the players are, do they like playing for their current club and its fans, and what kind of bonds are formed between players when not only are they teammates, but go through the experience of trying to win a Scudetto or just survive relegation. Ive always thought the players on the smaller clubs are happier and closer to their teammates, but no matter what loyalty they feel, they will leave for another club if more money or playing time come their way. I wonder if money aside, is Suazo happier at Inter then he was at Cagliari? I like this video becuase it seems like the players on Cagliari really like each other and are hyped up to do well. That explains the recent run of success, especially at home. Maybe its just the recent success that has changed things, but from what I can gather, this is a group of guys who like each other and their team. Let me know what you think.

Anyway, onto this weeks match against Sampdoria. As I stated previously, I have very mixed emotions right now about Cagliari. In one sense, you have to be pleased with their recent home performance and the fact that relegation isnt so certain anymore. On the other hand, they are playing on the road this week against a hot club who has won its last three matches and believes it can snag the 4th Champions League slot. After losing on the road recently to Siena and Catania, despite currently having won two games in row for the first time this season, expecting them to bring home even a point on Saturday is not realistic.

Even though Sampdoria is hot, they come into this match with three of their good players suspended. We all know Cassano is not going to play because of his recent behavior, but Lucchini and Delvecchio will also be on the bench. Three starters not on the pitch can only be good news if you are a Cagliari supporter.

Cagliari on the other hand will only be without Michele Fini and maybe that gets my boy Biondini into the lineup. I guess Foggia wont be brought in until the second half, but I have commented on that previously.

Im not sure what Ballardini will do to get a result. Do you play a packed defense and hope for a 0-0 draw or do you try and play wide open and hope you can score with them. Either way has its advantages and disadvantages, but to have a chance, I think they have to put out an offensive minded lineup, including Foggia. If you treat this like a normal match against a bottom level club and play conservative, Sampdoria will spank them easily. With some of their players missing from the recent spankings they have given us, maybe an offensive force can neutralize them. They are the better team so some risks are going to have to be taken.

I am not optimistic about this game. Sampdoria is on great form even without Cassano, and Cagliari is horrible on the road. If they had beaten Siena or Catania, the urgency of this game wouldnt be there. With those losses, you put yourself in a position to where you almost have to get points every week to survive. With the tough part of the schedule here, even with all the positivity and great results at home, they are going to get knocked back to reality real quick. While I want a 1-0 victory that mirrors the Atalanta game, I dont see it. Even the brilliant Storari is going to be busy this week.

Prediction Sampdoria 3-1

Enjoy the soccer this weekend and Cagliari fans stay positive. We can beat this relegation thing again.

Forza Cagliari!!