Still a long way to go Cagliari fans, but be very proud of your club!!
By: Jeremy |
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After the weekends results in Serie A, any fan of Cagliari has to be as happy as they have been all year. We are now 5 points clear of the relegation zone and most if not all of our relegation rivals have more question marks and worries then we do. While that is certainly good news, we cannot get too cocky as there are four weeks left with a tough schedule. As we will see in the coming weeks, while we look good in todays standings, its a cushion we will likely come to appreciate going in to the final game against Reggina. I have always just asked that the final week mean something to Cagliaris players and fans and after todays win at home versus Empoli, we will either be safe coming into that game or playing for our safety against one of the worst teams in Serie A. Considering where we were at the start of the second half, this is a major miracle and as much as I can ask for.
Today was the final game of a must win two game set that began last week against Livorno and ended today at the Sant Elia against Empoli. For Cagliari to have a chance to survive, they had to win both and they did just that. I have never been prouder then I am today to be a fan of this club. While its easy to say we should beat what are arguably the two worst teams in Serie A if we truly deserve to survive, the fact is any team in the bottom half the table can be beaten by any other at any time and as the weeks wind down, the teams close to relegation seem to play that much tighter and wins arent so easy to come by. Back to back wins, knowing they are a must considering the up coming schedule was fantastic. The coaches and player should all be proud.
After knocking Livorno down last week in their own backyard, we came into todays game at home against Empoli feeling like we could win more so then we did against Livorno. For all that had gone right recently, a loss today probably makes us favorites for relegation.
The crowd was pumped and before they could calm down, our new hero and legend Robert Acquafresca grabbed a pass in the ninth minute and turned and fired past Empolis goalie. A great individual effort in traffic and just a glimpse of what he will be doing for Italy in the 2010 World Cup. Empoli really didnt threaten much and while it did have a wave of chances in the box just before halftime, it was truly an uninspired performance for a game that meant so much.
The second half saw Cagliari seal the game with a great shot from Michele Fini from twenty yards out in the 64th minute to put Cagliari up 2-0. The goal was so huge that he took off his shirt to celebrate causing a yellow card which when added to the first one he had from earlier, put Cagliari down to ten men. A bonehead move but acceptable considering the great goal he just scored that won the game.
Storari was again his brilliant self and stopped what few chances Empoli could muster. The result was never in doubt but things got a little chippy when Pisano got sent off and Cagliari played the last part of the game with nine men. Empoli simply didnt have the talent to come from behind and the game ended with a must three points for Cagliari.
We are now on 35 points. As things shape up, 38 points will probably keep you in Serie A for another year. I also think 34 points might put you in last as it is that tight. If Cagliari can somehow come up with three more points in their final four games, I think they slide in safely. This will be easier said then done considering they play Inter, Fiorentina, and Udinese the next three weeks with two of those games on the road. All of those teams have something to play for so we wont be seeing the junior squads and to expect points in any of those matches is unrealistic. However, a surprise win in any of those games will likely bring safety and celebration early to Sardinia.
As happy as I am, its a very much wait and see approach to the season. Things look great on the surface but as we will soon see, these past two wins against Livorno and Empoli might be what saved our season. If I was writing this without those two wins, I would almost admit relegation. The players knew the importance of these games and its wins against the bottom level clubs that cause you to be safe. Hopefully we dont go into the next three games spooked like we clearly did against Milan. We need to try and get points and earn safety before the last week as we did last year against Roma.
With the relegation clubs facing each other in the next couple of weeks combined with some of the big clubs still needing to lay their whipping on some of the smaller clubs, things will probably be even tighter in two weeks then they appear today. If I had to bet now who is going down, I think Livorno, Parma, and Torino. This has a lot to do with the schedule and their recent form. However, any one of these seven teams from Catania and Cagliari on down need to be worried.
Cagliari did themselves proud these past two weeks so lets see how these next two weeks play out and then reevaluate. We have a real chance to survive which no one thought was possible in February. The never quit attitude of the players is evident and Storari should be the MVP of Serie A if they do survive. To say that about a player who only played half the year with Cagliari is a testament to what he has meant to this club.
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Cagliari-Empoli-Put Up or Shut Up Part 2
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
Cagliari is still glowing after taking a must three points on the road last week against Livorno. Considering all the circumstances of that game and what it meant, it was by far Cagliaris biggest win of the season. Their performance in the second half of the season not only brought them to the point where that game actually meant something, but put them in a position to where they can actually avoid the drop. If you dont understand how big that win was Cagliari fans, you will understand it after this weekends game against Empoli.
This game is the second of must win(after many other must win/draws that they have facing this year) back to back games and the Livorno win only emphasizes its importance. The circumstances are basically the same as last week with a few significant exceptions. We are facing a fellow relegation struggler who needs the win as we do. The difference is that we are at home and the confidence has to be high after winning a road game after falling behind last week versus the mood of the team after questionable tactics and a loss in the Milan game. To me Livorno and Empoli are thre same club so this is a game Cagliari must and should win.
With the Inter, Fiorentina, Udinese triumverate coming up in the next three weeks, a win this week is needed to build a cushion we will likely need against our relegation rivals. Even with a win, I still expect the game with Reggina to determine our survival. A loss this week and we become relegation favorites and will have to pull an upset somewhere against three very good teams. You can only push your luck so much. The margin for error and the difference between survival and relegation is so small and this weeks game will show it.
Robert Acquafresca, the hero last week against Livorno, should lead an inspried Cagliari this week and there is no doubt he is ready and able to put a couple of goals in. With his great performance lately, Inter now wants to bring him back and the typical rumors fly. Robert did the classy thing this week and made it clear that Cagliari is his club and he will give his all for them with the goal being survival. It sure beats him talking about his future with Inter which we know is inevitable.
Canini, Parola, and Cossu are all suspended this week so Ballardini has a few selection concerns. All this means is that Maggliochetti will likely play and we might see Foggia for a full ninety minutes. I am still a big fan of Foggias talent and he is going to make a difference in whether Cagliari survives.
Empoli comes into the game with lots of questions, but they are right in the middle of fight for safety. A win for them this week, combined with some easy games coming up, allows them to control their own destiny. They earned a point in Parma last week and will be looking to do what Cagliari did to Livorno last week. They are not done yet and this is their week to show it. A win by Empoli over Cagliari this week will make them favorites for safety and destroy any all momentum Cagliari has and puts them in deep trouble. This is what Cagliari did to Livorno last week.
To say this is a must win for both teams is an understatement. I think we will see a wide open game with Cagliari feeding off the home crowd to push some goals through. A win by Cagliari, combined with losses by their relegation rivals who face some of Serie A’s best this week, can build a cushion that will allow them to still be in the fight for safety even if they bomb the next three weeks. Cagliari is not going to let all of their work the second half go up in flames in these winnable games. They showed it last week in Livorno and there is no reason to think they wont do it this week at home against Empoli.
Prediction Cagliari 2-1 Empoli
Acquafresca Going Back to Inter?-This is what is wrong with Soccer.
By: Jeremy | 4 Comments
One of the worst things about being a fan of a small team is that you cant keep your players for very long unless no one else wants them. If the player is good, he eventually signs for a bigger club with the small team getting either cash to help stay in business or some young players. For the big clubs, its all about now. For the small clubs its all about financial survival with as long a run in Serie A as possible.
Part of what should make you a fan of a team is that you get to see players who become favorites for whatever reason. The longer they are on your team the better. That is one reason I am huge fan of David Suazo. I wish he would never have left. However, when that happens, and it works out with a young player like Acquafresca coming back in return, you dont want to have to turn around and give the young player back because he develops sooner then expected.
As much as I hate the big teams in baseball like the Red Sox or Yankees, when they come trying to steal one of my teams stud players because we cant afford him, they typically give us prospects who we at least control for a few years before they can become free agents and are paid fairly cheaply while we have them. Soccer needs to implement this kind of plan as these players cash in way too soon preventing the league from being as competitive as it could.
To me one thing that keeps soccer from having much credibility in the USA is that the players are bought and sold with the 10 biggest clubs in Europe dividing up who they want and paying whatever amount necessary. The lower level teams, even in the same league, are just farm teams for the big clubs and if they find a young player, they are soon sold to the big club.
This seems to be the latest problem for Cagliari and I wonder how much say they have in the matter so maybe someone smarter then me can enlighten us. Inter traded half interest in Acquafresca as part of the deal to bring Suazo to Inter. Suazo does not fit at Inter and they only signed him in case someone got hurt or to keep another team from getting him. Oh to have that luxury in Sardinia. The bottom line is the deal was made and we now have half ownership in a great young player. Why cant he stay in Sardinia for awhile? It seems like we are being forced to give him up to a team that now has no more rights to him then we do.
Part of me always thought Suazo would return to Cagliari and that seems to be the latest discussion. Inter realizes Suazo isnt needed, wants to return him to us, and have us give back our half interest in Acquafresca. What a bunch of bs. Its like the Yankees doing a midseason deal for a stud off a bad team, giving up promising young players in the deal, and then wanting to undo it after they lose in the playoffs because the young players suddenly have promise.
If a deal is made to return Bobby back to Inter, fine. I may not agree with it, but deals get done all the time. However, now that Bobby is clearly a better player then he was last year, it should take more then just simply sending us Suazo back. Id love for Suazo to come back, dont get me wrong, but it shouldnt be under Inters terms.
I assume it is the best deal we can get because either Acquafrescas contract expires soon ie after next year, he wouldnt return to Cagliari even if we can afford him, so we better get something back. Even if that is the case, my vote would be to sell him for max money, get our half from the deal, keep Inter from getting him and then using the money to buy other players.
I am sure I am missing something, but as long as this type of stuff happens so easily, the small clubs will never have much of a fan base outside of the town they are in and certainly cant win anything. I know this will be the first loss and Storari and Foggia are next, but if we could keep these guys, survive this year, and add a couple more players next year, we could challenge for Europe in my opinion. At the very least we wouldnt be relegation fodder.
I really wish someone would explain Cagliaris or any other small clubs option in these kind of cases. I hate becoming a fan of a player to see him leave
so quickly.
Inter needs to shove it up their Champions League failing A$$.
Out of the Relegation Zone!!-Relegation Update.
By: Jeremy | 3 Comments
No this is not a misprint…Cagliari for the first time since week two is now out of the relegation zone and looking like they have a real shot to survive. I guess Ballardini either got my email or listened to someone who told him to make sure Acquafresca and Jeda played from the start and to play a more attacking style depite the jitters that may come with a game like the one today against Livorno. Jeda and Acquafresca started the game and were a part of almost every offensive threat. Foggia didnt manage to get in until minute 67, but atleast his horrible miss into an empty net didnt matter.
Storari was again brilliant and showed why a dominant keeper can keep teams up even when the rest of their talent is a little iffy at times. Acquafresca does what world class strikers do, they finish their chances. I not only want Cagliari to survive because I prefer Serie A football, but I want there to be no excuses if we lose him to Inter. If we go down, hes gone. If we stay up, surely we can get one more year out of him. Today he got a brace and showed why there is a huge difference between him and Matri even if they look somewhat similar running up and down the field. After going down 1-0 on the road, Cagliari came back to win. If this was any other team then Livorno, it would almost be shocking.
Marco over the Livorno blog did a fine job summing up todays match including some highlights so check him out and rather then attempt to repeat his fine work, it will bring me great joy to provide everyone with a relegation update with only 5 weeks to go.
There are seven candidates for relegation and lets look at each of them and where they stand:
Torino
34 points
Remaining Schedule: Inter(H), Roma(A), Napoli(H), Livorno(A), Fiorentina(H)
After playing bad most of the second half of the year, you thought they had sealed their safety with a great road win against Catania in week 31, but with losses to Empoli and Genoa the past two weeks, combined with teams like Cagliari and Reggina winning more then expected, they just cant seem to shake their relegation rivals. With five weeks left, they are just four points up on Reggina and Empoli and are in bigger relegation trouble then you think. With three of their games against Inter Roma and Fiorentina all likely losses, they must find a way to get points at home against Napoli and a week 37 road match against Livorno could have huge implications.
Odds of relegation: Despite currently being in 14th place with atleast two more points then their relegation rivals, this team will finish 17th or 18th. This will be even more evident after the next two weeks matches.
Catania
32 points
Remaining Schedule: Lazio(H), Udinese(A), Reggina(H), Juventus(A), Roma(H)
Catania seems to win games when you least expect it, but even after winning relegation games against the likes of Cagliari, they cant seem to move up the standings. They arent necessarily on bad form, but they have to step up if they are going to avoid relegation. They have some tough games left, but they get Juventus who likley has little to play for at this point as they will either finish third or fourth and probably will send a half ass lineup out there in week 37 and unless Roma has a chance at the Scudetto, they will do the same the last week of the season.
Odds of relegation: Either them or Torino likely going down.
Cagliari
32 points
Remaining Schedule: Empoli(H), Inter(A), Fiorentina(H), Udinese(A), Reggina(H)
Cagliari has done the impossible which in less then half a season has gone from certain relegation candidates to safety with a real shot at staying up. Outside of the Champions League teams, they have played better then anyone in Serie A over the past ten weeks. Despite such a huge turnaround, they came into todays game at Livorno knowing a loss likely puts them in relegation. To say todays win was huge is an understatement. You take three points from a relegation rival and then head home for a game against Empoli that is really another must win, but if a victory is achieved in that game, they will feel really good about their chances despite playing Inter, Fiorentina, and Udinese in three of the last four weeks of the year. They are still not safe by any means, but this team has to feel as good as it has all year. The last game against Reggina is going to mean something and it may be a tie sends them both to safety.
Odds of Relegation: Ask me after the Empoli match but I think they will be safe.
Parma
31 points
Remaining Schedule: Napoli(H), Reggina(A), Genoa(H), Fiorentina(A), Inter(H), Juventus(make up game)
Parma brought in Hector Cuper to save them from relegation yet they really have not had that spark or run of victories to make them a little safer. They seem to play defensively and look for a draw. Todays draw on the road against Empoli was big as it was a road game against a desperate team. They have an extra game to play when compared to everyone else and really the easiest schedule left outside of Reggina. Their toughest game against Inter may be meaningless to Inter. They can take points in any of their remaining games with the exception of maybe Fiorentina. Despite uninspiring performances this year, they will find the points to survive.
Odds of relegation: I think they will end up safe.
Reggina
30 Points
Remaining Schedule: Milan(A), Parma(H), Catania(A), Empoli(H), Cagliari(A)
Big ups to Reggina today for beating Sampdoria and keeping themselves in the fight for safety. Just when they seem like they will be relegated, they come with a huge win. As big as the Juventus win was, this one was bigger. It keeps them out of last and sets them up for a fine finish and safety. With the easiest schedule left, you cant assume they will be relegated. With the exception of Milan, I can see them getting points in all their other games. If they can beat Parma and Empoli at home, I think they will get the other points they need to survive. Dont overlook this team.
Odds of relegation: 50/50, but I think they stay up
Empoli
30 points
Remaining Schedule: Cagliari(A), Genoa(H), Udinese(H), Reggina(A), Livorno(H)
Its easy to say Empoli has been bad and is in 19th spot because of their inconsistent play, but they really arent any worse then any of the other relegation candidates. They earned a point today on the road against Parma which has to be a positive result, but with other relegation clubs earning wins, including a big road win by Cagliari, Empoli finds itself near the bottom of an ever tighening table. Their Waterloo next week is in Sardinia. If they can pull out a win today as Cagliari did against Livorno, they will actually look like a safe team. A loss puts them in relegation. Because their last two weeks are against Reggina and Livorno, they cannot be counted out just yet. I dont see them beating Cagliari on the road next week, but if they do, then my prediction for them of being relegated will likely end up wrong
Odds of Relegation: ask me after the Cagliari match but I think they are going down.
Livorno
29 points
Remaining Schedule: Roma(A), Milan(H), Atalanta(A), Torino(H), Empoli(A)
Livorno sits in last although it easily could be Cagliari who sits here. Todays game was probably the biggest game played in Serie A this year and although they lost at home, it could have gone their way. This game not only showed its importance in how the teams played, but also showed us that there is very little difference between the bottom seven teams in Serie A this year. When you lose at home against Cagliari and then get immediately to face Roma and Milan who still have something to play for, they could be buried in relegation before they get to play what might be the two worse teams in Serie A in Torino and Empoli the last two weeks of the season. Timing is everything and that combined with Livornos loss today hurt it a ton.
Odds of Relegation: Almost Certain
As of right now, I see Livorno, Empoli, and Catania going down with Torino shitting its pants more then anyone else as the weeks pass by. As a Cagliari fan, I cant tell you how huge todays win was for us, but it was really just the first of two must win games if they want to survive. All of these teams have holes yet they all will show something to surprise us before the end of the year. The timing of the good and bad play from these teams will determine who goes to Serie B next year. If you are a fan of any of these seven teams you have to be worried and even todays happy Reggina and Cagliari fans will get back to worrying after next week if they drop points.
I love Serie A!!
Cagliari-Livorno-Put Up or Shut Up Part 1
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
After three weeks of ducking and dodging against some of the better teams in Serie A and justifiably getting some points restored, Cagliari now moves on to a game against a relegation rival Livorno in the first of two games that will likely determine where the Rossoblu play next year.
Just a couple of months ago, Cagliari was so far buried in relegation that no one really thought this game or any game in the last six weeks of the season would mean much. With some strong play in the second half of the season including some great wins against teams like Atalanta and Genoa combined with some points earned in games against Sampdoria and Roma, Cagliari now finds itself in the mix to get one of the last safe spots in Serie A for next year.
Cagliaris position in the standings was also helped by teams like Empoli and Livorno just playing like crap. They are the second half Cagliaris. The end result is that these teams are now in pretty much equal positions and these games will determine everything. Any Cagliari supporter has to be happy that we have this chance to win some games against beatable opponents in the last few weeks of the season and for the matches to mean something.
The question is which Cagliari team will show up to play this week. Is it the Cagliari that controlled Atalanta and Sampdoria and played tough enough to earn a draw against Roma or will it be the team that played defensive boring football in the first half of the season and then reappeared last week against Milan after a nice run of positive play.
Livorno is on the downward slope and is the kind of team Cagliari needs to play after their dismal performance last week in Milan. Although this game will be played in Livornos stadium and Cagliari seems to suck on the road, Livorno is not a very good home team and has the worst home record in Serie A this year. Still its better to be at home so dont discount that edge for Livorno and if I am management, I let everyone in free to pack the stands. As you wind down the season, Id rather my road games be against teams like Livorno who are in poor form and can be beaten at home. Livorno has lately resorted to worrying about relegation and blaming refs for game results. This is the sign of a team running scared and fearing for their Serie A lives. So you would think this is a good week to have them appear on the schedule. That is what I thought with Milan last week. Luckily what little talent Livorno has is underperforming so I doubt they come out like Milan did last week. Cagliari also wont be as scared as they clearly were against Milan.
This game is a real toss up. I would expect both teams to play very scared and very defensive football. A win for one of these clubs will be huge. I am concerned about Ballardinis tactics in light of last weeks game against Milan. If Jeda and Acquafresca are not in the lineup, he clearly has not learned who is bringing this team back into contention to stay in Serie A. Matri has scored a couple of big goals this year, but he sucks and should not start in place of an in form Acquafresca. Lets hope Ballardini watches some game film from the Torino and Genoa matches and gets the right players in there.
Cagliari gets Livorno and then Empoli in the next two weeks. If we want to survive we must win both. Draws or losses are not an option with three games coming up against Inter, Fiorentina, and Udinese before we close out with Reggina. We need to get nine points from these remaining games to surivive in my opinion and it starts this week. Lets hope the coaches and players understand that all of their hard work to climb back up the standings will likely mean nothing if they lose this week.
In a real boring tight late in the season relegation battle, I will go with Cagliari as a goal will come from somewhere and nothing will get past Storari.
Prediction Livorno 0-1 Cagliari
The Ghost of Nedo Sonetti
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
Someone please tell me that was not him coaching the Rossoblu in Milan on Saturday. That looked like the team that he coached throughout much of the first half. They were scared and playing for a 0-0 tie the minute they walked out of the dressing room. We all know how that game plan works. Did they not think that Milan was going to come out fired up? Fear makes other teams play better and we dont need to be giving teams like Milan any more reasons to do better then they already do. Does Ballardini not understand what put us in this relegation fix to begin with?
I dont understand why Jeda and Acquafresca were not in the starting lineup. They came on later so how hurt were they. They are the teams top two offensive threats and when you travel to Milan to play a team that even when it is not on its best form is still too talented and too strong for you, you put your best players out there. But then again, what do I know. I am just some moron with a computer.
As upset as I was that Cagliari came out flat Saturday and did not have its best team on the pitch, it really would not have made a difference. We were clearly outclassed and it was evident when Gattuso hit a screamer over the bar before Storari had a chance to tie his ponytail that it was going to be a long evening.
From that point on it was pretty much all Milan. What were the Cagliari defenders doing when they allowed Kaka to just waltz thorough them like they were bullfighters in just the 8th minute to score and make it 1-0. Someone close him down before he gets into shooting range and chop his legs out from under him. Take the yellow card. That was too easy of a goal to give up even if it was a good shot by him.
After that goal it was pretty much over. Pippo Inzaghi, one of my favorite players, did what Pippo always does which is find the back of the net. People who criticize him are the same people who criticize Beckham. Even if he is somewhat clutsy and not good at everything, the man scores goals. All the dribbling skills in the world by other players who are faster etc, if they cant put the ball in the back of the net, what good are they. Guys who finish are important and Pippo does that. Its like Beckham with his free kicks and crosses. Those skills are needed even if he isnt the best at other parts of the game. Those skills, even if shown briefly, win games for teams. I dont understand why Milan is not doing better. If they would just load up the offense with the players they have, they would be fine. The talent they have on their bench would be most teams regularly. We were lucky the final score was not worse. Milans current goalie dropped the only shot on goal gifting Cagliari a goal and Milans goalie next year made saves that they will be applauding at the San Siro when he returns home to the club that owns him.
Anyway, dont fret Cagliari fans as this match was not going to determine whether we survive the drop. They played like crap and reminded us that this is a very similar team to the one that dug a hole for itself in the first half of the season. When key players are left on the bench, that bothers me more then what actually happened in the game. They better be out there in upcoming games that we can win.
We are now tied for the final safe spot with Empoli and Livorno with Parma just one point higher. Our fate will be determined by the games we play against Empoli, Livorno, and Reggina. The fact that we have come out of the toughest three games in a row of our schedule still with a chance at survival should allow the lads to have some confidence. We still have some tough games left, but if we are relegated because our dumbass gaffer cant field the proper lineup causing the boys to play scared, he better get his ass out of Sardinia faster then we will see Acquafresca in another uniform over the summer.
Learn from your stupidity, then forget and move on. That is this weeks lesson Cagliari fans. Have a great week.
Cagliari-Milan
By: Jeremy | 4 Comments
Things are pretty quiet on the Sardinian front this week. After getting an undeserved point against Roma, the team must take another deep breath and cross over to the mainland to play a Milan team that is considered to be in crisis. Oh to be in a crisis like the ones Milan occasionally seems to have.
With Cagliaris stellar play of late and Milans horrid run that has it in a position where they might not qualify for Europe, this might be the week where we achieve an upset and win in Milan for the first time in pretty much forever. Cagliari has continued its stellar run through the meat of its second half schedule and sees safety as almost likely rather then a pipe dream. Milan is a team that is in panic mode because not only is it a real possiblity that they wont be in the Champions League, they might not even make the UEFA Cup. In Milan not making Europe as kind of like Cagliari making Europe. Its rare. The fans are clearly upset and they want Ancellottis head even though he won the Champions League last year. Sorry guys, but you cant win the Scudetto or the Champions League every year, so give your coach a break. Say what you want, but he wont be back next year although you can blame his underperforming players for their current position in Serie A.
Milan is in the process of trying to transition from a team with a bunch of brilliant but pretty much washed up or overhyped stars to a younger team full of stars all while maintaining its European participation. With the performance of teams like Fiorentina and Udinese, this is not the best year to try and transition and still stay near the top. Needless to say, beating Cagliari at home is a must this Saturday and really should be an afterthought in any normal year.
Cagliari will maintain its confidence after the draw in Roma and will head to Milan thinking they can win this game. With a full starting team available for them including the returning Conti, a valuable player, they have to be happy knowing Nesta and Oddo wont play for Milan. Kaka seems fit to return, but he is not 100% and either wont play his best or will be subsituted at some point. Anytime you can get Milan without a fully fit Kaka you have to be happy. I am a big Kaka fan and you cant discuss Milan without atleast mentioning Maldini who if he is not on your all time starting XI, then you have not been watching soccer for the past twenty years. This might be the last chance we Cagliari fans get to see him against our team.
With Milans poor home play this year, a game on the road against them can almost seem like a home game for Cagliari. After Cagliaris performance against Sampdoria which had to help them forget the dismal road perforances against Siena and Catania, Cagliari has to believe they have a real shot at getting points. At this point in the season, mentality is more important then your talent and Cagliari is a much stronger club mentally then Milan right now. Dont underestimate how important that is.
Simply put Milan is tired. They are in flux and the older players feel like their place in the squad for next year is not guaranteed. Second team players, who would be first teamers on most Serie A teams, arent getting the consistent playing time and feel like they must score a goal in any game they play in or else they wont ever see the field again. This uncertainty only helps Cagliari.
If both teams play their best, Milan wins as they simply have too much talent. The best Cagliari team will show up and with the Foggia, Jeda, Acquafresca trio on the field, they can and will score in this game. Milan cannot defend like Roma so there will be more space for the Cagliari offense. With Milan desperate to put on a performance and Nesta not around to anchor the back, this is another reason this will be an open game. While the motivated Cagliari team will be there, I am not so sure that Milan is really up for the challenge as they normally would be. They have all but written off this year and I think this can lead to a result for Cagliari. Again Cagliari seems to be catching a team at the right time.
Its games like these where if we can get even a point, safety is so much more of a possibility. We did it against a much better Roma side and I expect Storari to have the boys motivated again. He is and will be the key to Cagliaris success the rest of the year. With him returning to Milan to play against the team that owns him and allowed him to go on loan when they should have brought him back to play for them this spring, expect him to play even better if that is possible. Its going to be a great game. There could be a lot of goals scored but with Storari around, Ill keep it conservative.
Prediction 1-1 draw.
Stealing a Point-Storari is a stud!!
By: Jeremy | 4 Comments
Unlike last weeks game against Sampdoria where we should have gotten three points and ended up with a draw, this week we got a point when we really shouldnt have. You can hail Cagliari all day for their grit and fortitude, but Roma has to be disappointed that they let two points slip away, even after a horrible start for them.
This was another exciting match as Cagliari is showing they can play with Serie A’s best teams and that they arent simply going to be blown off the pitch. The transfer window is turning out to be very significant when most of us saw it originally as an afterthought. The Sant Elia was rocking and an almost packed house was giving every bit of support to the home side to urge them to victory. Cagliari came out quickly and immediately took it to Roma with Fini shooting wide right soon after the match began. The pressure created some luck as Acquafrescas shot was kicked into Romas goal by Ferrari for an own goal and Cagliari was up 1-0. Could you ask for a better start then a quick goal?
Cagliari continued to pressure and Foggia had a golden opportunity in minute ten that he failed to finish with his lob over the goalie going over the bar. He should have scored, but is was great to see him start the match and he seems to be motivated to show his talent. I guess he was waiting for the end of the year so his play would be fresher in the big clubs minds. At this point, I dont care about all his bullcrap behavior and poor attitude, he needs to be on the pitch if we are to survive and Ballardini now seems to get that.
As any top level team would, Roma settled down and began to control the midfield. Cagliari was basically on it heals the rest of the match and Totti, the brilliant player that he is, created so many chances for his teammates. Cagliari seemed to lose its initial steam and honestly thought they could put all their players behind the ball and hold on for dear life for the rest of the game. This was the kind of play that put them deep in the relegation zone to begin with.
As good as Totti was for Roma, Storari was better for Cagliari. He is simply the hero of the season and even if we survive, if hes not playing goalie for Milan next year, then Milan deserves any problems it has in goal. I would love for Storari to be back next year but Milan should not let it happen. He is any clubs answer in goal. Storari made multiple saves in the first half that kept Cagliari ahead. As good as he is, it was asking too much for him to save everything when Cagliari was being pushed back by a Roma offense desperate for a goal. After many great saves and some poor finishing by Roma, Totti gets a free kick just before halftime and scores. Its tough to give up a goal just before halftime, but Roma deserved atleast to be tied at halftime as they had so many chances and saw great saves and blocks by the Cagliari defense.
Even with all the players missing, Roma clearly had the most talent on the pitch and came out in the second half pushing the pace. Cagliari slowed the match down and tried for the counterattacks which created a few chances. It is easy for me to write how the ten men behind the ball strategy is stupid for Cagliari to employ, but when you are playing a team that is clearly better and you have a chance for points, any strategy can be second guessed. This was not Parma or Torino we were playing. Roma just wins games so when it is your turn to play them, you just have to see what happens and adjust from there so I cant be overly critical of the style of play by Cagliari in the game after the gift goal they got.
The second half was very much the same as the last part of the first half. Roma controlled the pace and had multiple chances. Their best opportunity came in the 85th minute when a Totti header was miraculously saved by Storari with his leg. This chance came immediately after Totti had set up Cicihnio from about 10 yards out in stride and the dude blows it over the bar. You have to finish those if you are really going to win the Scudetto.
Roma put on more pressure as the game got closer to finishing. Every fan in the stands was begging that a last minute goal would not happen against them two weeks in a row. Even Ballardini was trying to throw off the pace by yelling at the ref only to get redcarded. A definite professional managerial foul. I was waiting for Cellino to come down out of the stands and do something stupid to slow down Romas pressure. Our boy Esposito even made a last minute appearance and was booed. Is he from Naples? I like Esposito but you hate to see players leave who end up on the bench at a big club. He begged Cellino to let him go to Roma so he could sit on the bench when he could be here helping us. Luckilly the game ended 1-1 and we stole a point.
Say what you want about Cagliaris momentum speared on by recent good form and the returning of three points and Romas injury problems and upcoming match against Manchester allowing for a possible Cagliari win at home, a tie is a huge result for Cagliari and we should be happy. Roma is a better team, forced us into playing defensive football even after gifting us an early lead, and if not for Storari and some bad finishing by Roma players, this game would have ended by Roma winning by 2-3 goals. They simply have the talent to win these games and a player in Totti who can control a match all by himself. He is what we need Foggia to be.
The difference in this season might be looked at in the results against teams like Roma. Where Cagliari can steal a point, a team like Empoli with an extra man still cant get anything against Roma. To have this game over on our schedule and to get a point is awesome, deserved or not. Lets see how the other relegation strugglers do tommorrow and where we are after those games. With our game at Milan next week the last of this murderous run where we have actually gotten some points, we then get Livorno and Empoli back to back and that is where we will likely make or break our season. Ties like these againt Roma allow you to be in this position so be happy Cagliari fans, we just stole a point against a great club and we are putting the pressure on the other relegation teams. Most importantly, the momentum is continuing and that is as important as the actual result because mentally there cant be a more positive club then Cagliari in Serie A.
Its been a great week. Milan and their poor home form might be ripe for another theft of a point next week so the momentum can continue against Livorno and Empoli.
Cagliari-Roma-Making a good week better
By: Jeremy | 3 Comments
Sorry for the early “preview”, but I will not have access to a computer because of work obligations from now until Saturdays game so if I dont post something now, all you faithful readers will get no preview from me which I know would be devastating.
Anyway, the spirit of this club and its fans has to be extremely high as we justifiably got the three points taken from us returned and are now only in the relegation zone by goal difference. However, we still must realize that we have a dangerous Roma club coming to the Sant Elia this weekend and just cant give the game away because they are Roma and we already got three points this week. The relegation fight is still huge and any points are vital.
The lead up to this game reminds me of last Mays game at home against Roma which was our chance with a win to secure our Serie A future. As all fans know, we won that game 3-2. Roma could not better itself in the standings those last couple of games so they were not overly enthused about playing and sent out what wouldnt be their staring XI for a game that really mattered. With our guys hyped up we managed a win. This weekend is eerily similar albeit with different factors that might allow for the same results.
Instead of coming into the last couple of weeks with not much on the line for Roma, they come into the match with the Scudetto a real possibility because Inter is choking it away and plenty of meaningful football left for them. Does that mean they will put their best eleven out there and spank Cagliari which they should do if they are truly a Championship team? Not necessarily. DeRossi, Perrotta, and Vucinic are all suspended for Roma so they couldnt play ff they wanted and those are three key players that Cagliari will be glad they dont have to see on the pitch. Totti and Juan are also banged up and may sit this one out. The reasons for them sitting out might be a little different then it would have been if this was May of last year, but still it is a very good reason as I wont mind Totti getting some rest as I want him ready for their next big game.
After the Cagliari match, Roma gets to face Manchester United in the Champions League. This is the same team that knocked them out and humiliated them last year so Roma no matter what they say, is not fully focused on playing and beating Cagliari. It is a tough spot for them because they dont want to give away what should be three points when you face a relegation type team, but they are crazy if they do not do everything possible to put the fittest team on the field for the United game.
Romas dilemma has to be to Cagliaris benefit and this is the best time to steal some points from them. While the suspended players wont play and Totti may be rested, Roma has plenty of depth and will send out players more then capable of taking the points.
Cagliari will only be without Daniele Conti. Everyone else should be fit and ready to go. It is really good seeing Foggia start and play most of the game. I expect him to do the same this weekend and maybe the fans can give him some support to help him keep up his recent good form. With Acquafresca and Jeda expected to lead the attack and Storari stoked to save Cagliari from relegation, expect a lot of attacking football on both sides with a result similar to last Mays vital match.
If Roma plays like they have the past couple of matches and their mind is on getting ready for Mancheser, combined with Cagliaris recent home form and their excitement of being vaulted up the standings by the three points being returned, some additional points are obtainable by Cagliari in this game.
With Cagliari in the middle of the toughest part of its schedule, to actually be gaining ground and not losing ground to the other relegation candidates is truly awesome. If we play things right, we can have a couple games at the end of the year against bottom level teams where we can actually control our own destiny. For now lets see if we can keep our place. Roma is too good a club to assume victory when they still have a chance at the Scudetto.
Prediction 2-2 draw
We got our points back!
By: Jeremy | 8 Comments
Ill keep this short, but just to let everyone know who cares, and that should be any team who is facing relegation, the Appeals court overturned the federations ruling and the three points they took from us because they thought it would not have mattered anyway, have been restored. We now have 28 points and jump over Empoli and Reggina. When was the last time we werent at the bottom of the table? This was the deserved result as the results should be decided on the field and nothing was done by Cagliari to change the on field results to warrant such a deduction. We are now solidly in this relegation fight and Torino and Siena, I hope you are sweating a bit as you now must look at relegation with the rest of the teams.
Some other good news is that Roma has three good players suspended this week and Totti may not play because his knee is hurt and they want him for Manchester. This could be a 6 point week.
Rejoice Cagliari fans!
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