Coppa Italia and Drooling over an Aussie

By: Jeremy | August 25th, 2008

Maybe Im not doing enough reading or research, but I keep hoping there will be some information about the team or some new players in what should be a busy time of year as the transfer window winds down and we are looking to lock in the final roster for the 08-09 season. Instead, this has been one of the quietest offseasons I can remember in any season in almost 20 years as a fan where Cagliari was playing the upcoming season in Serie A. This is especially disappointing coming on the heels of what was one of the most exciting seasons I can remember in the same time span.

Therefore the biggest news recently seems to be that we are through to the final 16 of the Coppa after barely scraping by Serie B side Triestina 1-0. We have now been paired up with Reggina for the 4th round in what could be another win. While winning the Copa would be great and these early rounds can often be just an exhibition to build some confidence while we look at various players. With a favorable 4th round matchup, the Coppa could still be a motivation to keep a good streak going or a throw away like last year because the club was in disarray. Either way, its good we can beat the Serie B teams.

Without seeing much of Robert Acquafresca this summer as he spent most of the time with the Italian Olympic team, the club has really looked mediocre at best and the spirit is not where it needs to be as his absence combined with the loss of Foggia and Storari has really put the club in a funk. While maybe there was an emotional let down after the fine finish to last season, losing players without even semi adequate replacements is going to cause the team to start lethargically which after last seasons poor start, is not something we need to see. It is always possible that the new players could emerge to make a difference, the known is always better then the unknown and we have more unknown then I would like.

I really try to avoid gossip and stating that certain players seem destined to come play in Sardinia as rumors are often unfounded and the truth can quickly change even after we hear our own management say something is true when it really is not. Until there is pen to paper, nothing is certain and I certainly learned that after the Foggia tale this summer.

However, because we dont seem to have anyone on the radar as a new player, the slightest rumor seems excite so many fans as we all sit back and hope a new player will arrive who can make a difference. Therefore I will mention this latest player that many seem to mention as I am atleast happy anyone is a part of our teams conversation at this point. The player we are talking about is Australian Midfielder Carl Valeri. He is a part of the Australian national team and was even brought to Italy by Inter. That means he must be good right? Now that Grosetto in Serie B owns him and he has proven his worth in a lower division, is it time for him to move to Serie A? Cagliari seems to be on his radar.

Valeri is an Italian-Australian but he is no Christian Vieri. He has played in all the Australian national youth teams and has now made it to their national team and at 24, is considered one for the future for them. From what I know about this guy, he is a leader on the field and tough as nails, but he is rarely involved in putting the goal in the back of the net. While every team needs hard nosed leaders on the field who dont score or assist much, the next Gattuso he is not. However, Cagliari needs players and if you can bring this guy in at a reasonable price, he certainly can help I suppose. Depth is a good thing for a small club like Cagliari. Does he change where Cagliari finishes in the standings? Probably not. He is like the midfield version of Matri. A moment of brilliance followed by weeks of mediocrity. I guess that means he will fit perfectly for us.

Sorry for the cynicism but this offseason has left me very disappointed in where the club is heading. We need to get Cellino out or get some kind of commitment from him he is staying. The plan was for him to leave and he is still here. Make up your mind. The club needs stability, not uncertainty. As we head into the opening week game this weekend against Lazio, this club is not in a good place. My expectations were going to be much higher for this team this year, but as it looks, I will be paying even more attention to the other relegation clubs this year as we will be right in the middle of that dogfight again, which while typical for us, is very disappointing considering how we were playing at the end of last year.

Lets get warmed up for Lazio with a Serie A table prediction that I will try to post this week. I just want to see the new team play and please no ugly yellow uniforms this year.