Missed Opportunity

By: Jeremy | February 10th, 2008

Another frustrating day in Cagliari as the Rossoblu let a game slip away that they not only should have won, but a game where three points were crucial if they are going to survive in Serie A.

Things have improved to the point where a win in some games is actually a realistic thought. Beating any team, even a fellow relegation struggler, seemed impossible until recently. With Cagliari playing well and Parma struggling, this was the perfect game to continue their climb. It was not to be as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

I am guessing Joaquin Larrivey has some pictures of Massimo Cellio with either some sheep or young boys as he continues to get the start as the main striker. He continued his poor play and I can only imagine the booing that was rained down upon him by the home crowd. He needs to be off this roster.

However, Jeda has started to show some things and his hustle and creativity were rewarded with a goal in minute 30. As usual, this was short lived as Parma equalized a minute later. As with Juventus, this cannot happen when you need wins. After that, the play continued to be aggressive by both sides as I expected. I am really glad Cagliari is showing some desire to go forward. Jeda seems to be a huge key for this change and hats off to management for getting such a good player during the transfer window when they were only going to spend a little bit of money.

The second half saw Foggia actually play. He needs to get match fit and improve his strength and play the whole match. With him in the lineup, multiple chances for that second goal were there and the team could not finish. Cagliari seemed to have the better run of play after the Parma goal. This game could be the result that costs them a place out of the relegation zone. Im sure Parma was happy to get a point but Cagliari cannot he smiling. When you play a relegation struggler at home and end up further down in the relegation zone after that weeks results, it is a failed week even if the play has continued to be strong when compared to the chaos of the first half of the year.

The coach needs to reshape his lineup. Acquafresca needs to start and Foggia needs to play a whole match. Yes he can be proud of the improved play, but with tougher games coming up and the amount of games running out, someone is going to have to step up and get the decisive goal.

Next week we face a Palermo side on the road. Palermo seems to be having their own little crisis so it seems like the timing to play them is as good as it was to play Parma. That being said, a win needs to happen followed by many more or else relegation will continue to be my focus despite points in three straight games and improved play and morale of the whole team.