Dont Get Too Excited

By: Jeremy | October 6th, 2008

Anytime your team can earn a point against Milan, you would have to think that would be a positive result. While getting a point last night in an enjoyable 0-0 draw at home was certainly better then a loss, this game reminded fans and pundits why Cagliari is likely headed for the drop this year despite the positive faces being put on by the players and management.

Cagliari came into last nights game losers of their first five Serie A games, including some against teams that they were expected to battle for relegation, while Milan came in to the game on a nice streak of wins including last weeks win against Inter in the Milan derby. Instead of a dominating performance from Milan, Cagliari ran them all over the field and other then a missed opportunity from Ambrosini, Cagliari had all the easy chances. Cagliari should have won this game by 2-3 goals as they had many chances that should have been easily finished while Milan looked old and tired and could do nothing. The fact Milan can earn a draw in this game shows the difference in the two sides is huge.

Cagliaris inability to finish continues to be the main problem for this team. Their midfielders have always played well and hustle like no other. Their passing and fluid motion is no match for Milans players, but running does not win games. There is a reason goal scorers are paid big bucks and potential goal scorers are fought over with ridiculous signing fees. Joaquin Larrivey, Cagliaris main striker, unfortunately is not one of these players. He had his usual hat trick performance(a miss on an easy finish, a card, and an injury-faked or real), but this kind of hat trick is not a help to the team and to see him limp off the field, even if he was injured, just has to be embarrassing for him. I do see why he continually is sent out there week to week. He has an ability to find open places and looks like a young Batistuta until it comes time to kick the ball into the goal where he is an utter failure. He is like a show horse with mule talent. Time to get rid of him.

Our boy Acquafresca seems to be rounding into shape, but he simply tries to do too much constantly getting called for offsides and when he has a chance to do something, he is trying 20 moves at once and rather look for help, because he rightly feels he has none, he tries to take on too many defenders which results in the loss of the ball or him tripping over himself. He needs to be in there playing, but with a talented veteran striker who can help him relax and score goals. Playing with Larrivey or even Matri is going to stunt this kids development and I can see Inter bringing him back in the winter transfer window before he is destroyed further by his inept strike partners. I almost think Ragtzu, despite his youth, is the best partner for Acquafresca at this point even if he clearly isnt ready for the grind of Serie A. This area of the team needs to be fixed or goalless draws will be our best result.

The midfielders clearly have a passion for the game. Biondini, Fini, Cossu et al are underdogs you root for. They have no real talent, but run and hustle and always want to make things happen and love their team. Why they can have such a strong effort against Milan yet cant do the same thing consistently against teams like Chievo or Lecce is beyond me. Despite their hustle and domination of the midfield last night, they cannot reap the benefits of such a dominating performance. When you control the midfield, even an anemic offense is going to put you in a position to score on occasion. The misses on easy gifts by Fini and Ambrosini are just brutal. You have to finish those or atleast force the goalie to make a save or all your work is a waste.

The defense, which seemed to be a weakness played pretty well. Lopez showed why he continues to get a place in the starting lineup. He does well in the air and provides a calming influence for the young players. I also like Marchetti a lot as he came up big on Pato and showed a calm beyond his years.

The team is doing the best with what they have and while it would be easy to pack it in and not care, this team clearly does still care which means they have a chance. However to think this turns the season around is too optimisitic. All it did was show our inability to score goals, even when there are chances that should be finished. If you cant score goals you cant win and one defensive lapse or mistake basically ends the game. Milan didnt have that many chances last night because they simply looked tired. The passion was not there for them and hustle can really frustrate an old team like that.

Allegri has been told he has five games to turn it around and even Cellino wants to give him every chance possible. While changing a coach my or may not be the answer, he is all but gone. This team needs to start scoring goals to save him and if anyone saw the offensive performance of the team last night, the talent simply isnt there to do it.

Any Cagliari fan who watched last nights game has to be wondering how we turned from such a nice team from the end of last year to a still hustling, but clearly outmanned bunch. Was the loss of Ballardini and Foggia bigger then we antcipated? Was the failure to bring in a veteran striker going to be our downfall? Its a shame, because as frustrated as I was with the result last night, its hard to be negative or not root for those guys who left it all out there against a great team when points were desperately needed.

The desperation continues but any fan knows what we need to do to turn it around. I am just not sure if management sees it or is willing to do it. Allegri will ultimately pay the price for it but its great he seems to be leading a united team. Remember though the goal is survival and there are still 3-5 teams within distance who have their own issues so we must continue to play and maybe this result will be a start to something even if it was a huge reminder of the many weaknesses that have to be fixed if we are going to stay up.