Keeping Up

By: Jeremy | April 20th, 2009

Give Cagliari credit. For all the disappointment that we feel because of the results with Genoa and Fiorentina, the team still manages to win games that they should if they want to take that next step up the standings. Iif they continue, they will see their games with Palermo and Roma mean something when it comes to determining if the team can make Europe next year. Who would have thought that?

The Napoli game was a game of two halves. Cagliari got off to a quick start with a goal in minute five on a nice off balance header by Jeda. Not an easy finish. Cagliari continued to create chances and Matri, given the start over Acquafresca, still shows that finishing is not his strong suit. While he did not have great chances when compared to past games, he still shows his ability to be in the right spot, but his inability to finish. If Acquafresca had has positioning and enthusiasm, he would score 25 goals. If Matri had Acquafrescas finishing ability, he would probably score more. Too bad we cant combine these two into one player.

The second half was basically the Marchetti show. He stopped numerous chances that a rejuvenated Napoli squad threw at him and Napoli has to feel like the should have atleast equalized this game. Cagliari looked more to counter and Lazzari had a beautiful finish near the end to make the final 2-0. Great contributions all around and considering the missing players, this was a result that showed Cagliari is a much better team then in years past and truly deserves some matches where it can control its own destiny for Europe. They may yet get them.

The difference this year from years past is that we now expect to beat mid table teams where as before any points, even at home, was cause for celebration. Now we must figure a way to to beat the next level of teams on a regular basis ie Genoa Palermo Lazio et al. To do this we must not only get better, but we must be able to keep and improve our talent, which is not going to be easy.

Despite our win, Palermo, Roma, and Lazio also won meaning we did not gain ground on anyone. What matters is that Palermo heads to Milan, Roma plays Fiorentina, and we travel to Sampdoria. While Sampdoria is no pushover, this will be our next opportunity to solidfy a position for Europe. If we can beat Samp, we will play Palermo and Roma where we can make Europe with some good results.

As with all teams that continue to improve, certain players will be on the big clubs radar. Now it seems Allegri is also being looked at by a big club. Milan, who seems to want Marchetti for their future goalie, is now talking about Allegri to replace Ancellotti who is supposedly headed to Chelsea. While rumors in european soccer are like the gossip on a junior high playground, we cant ignore that with improvement comes the loss of players and a manager. For now I wont worry about it as these types of situations sure beat trying to figure out where we will get points in the final weeks to survive another year in Serie A.

I am continually amazed that after an offseason that seemed so disappointing after such a strong finish, that we ended up with a better team. Can a goalie and a manager make that much of a difference? Sure, but we have to note the improvements of many players including Jeda, Cossu, Canini, and Biondini as the big reason why we have moved up. Marchetti has done just as much if not more then Storari did for us last year. If we can keep what we have and replace Acquafresca with a talented striker, we might be even better next year.

For now, we still must beat Samp next weekend if we want the Palermo and Roma matches to mean anything. Getting a win on the road to Palermo will probably be asking more then getting a home win against Roma, but we need momentum and a reason to play so we cannot let up against Samp, who while tough at home, has clearly packed it in.

Great win and lets keep it going next weekend.