Still a long way to go Cagliari fans, but be very proud of your club!!

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.

Category: Cagliari, Serie A

Tags: Cagliari, Serie A

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