We should have won!!

While I have always been one to think that the internet causes many of us to shun in person interaction in favor of a life filled with too much time on the computer and too little exercise, I am very thankful for it because it not only allows me to follow my soccer teams from Europe, it has lead to games from Italy being broadcast on television in English because we in the States are getting more information about Serie A and there is a demand for it on american television. 2006-07 was great as it seemed like Cagliari was on FSC every week because most of the other teams werent allowed to be televised. 2007-08 has been different as fewer Cagliari games have been shown and I have to rely more on You Tube Highlightes to get the feel for how a game went. Not so today as I got to watch the full match and can give a much better analysis of what happened.

The first thought that comes to mind is that I was glad to see the team wear the home or third jersey colors during a road match. Those yellow away jerseys are the worst jerseys in the histroy of sports. They look like puke yellow.

The second thought is that Joaquin Larrivey sucks. I knew this already but he really sucked today. He missed two clear cut chances to finish and failed miserably at both. Send his ass back to Argentina.

The bottom line is that the team played great today and while you always have to be thankful for a point on the road against Juventus, they deserved to win.

I know Juve was missing some players and was tired from its mid week Copa loss to Inter, but after the first ten minutes, Cagliari dominated play. Foggia was key in the first half and the team actually tried to attack and create chances.

After a scoreless first half, Cagliari came out again attacking and trying to dictate pace actually putting Juve on their heels. I loved to watch the crisp passing and chances they created. I assume Foggia only played the first half because he took a hip check at the end of the first half. I know he is a small guy, but tough Italian players dont skip a half over knock like that. Foggia needs to toughen up and play the full match. He is Cagliaris key player but too fragile.

Cagliari scored first early in the second half on what was really a soft goal, but a deserved one for all the pressure they put on up to that point. Soon after they showed why they are a bottom level club as you simply cannot give up an equilizer 60 seconds later from distance like they gave Nedved. It seemed like Cagliaris players were celebrating and dancing around allowing Nedved to go through midfiled untouched. He then launches a 25 yard shot that while placed well, if Storari would have been paying attention, he would have saved. Concentration is needed for 90 minutes.

I fully expected the wheels to come off after that, but the team continued to attack and Larrivey choked on a finish and Canini failed to finish a rebound gifted to him. He needed to finish that, but overall played a great match. Juve mounted the pressure, but not only did Cagliari prevent any real serious chances, they actually showed some offensive response. The passion and effort, especially in midfield was obvious. The game ended 1-1 on a rain soaked pitch and while Cagliari has to be frustrated they did not win, to get this point and play the way they did bodes well for the future.

We all know what happened after the first two games of the season. Cagliari has started the second half the same way so it will be key to see how they play from here on out. They have to believe that safety is possible and played like it today.

For the future, Foggia needs to play 90 minutes, Acquafresca needs to be the starter at striker with Matri a late sub and Larrivey on a boat back to Buenos Aires that does not arrive until May. Surely Ballardini sees that he should not be playing. That says a lot as the other strikers arent much better. You have to finish your easy chances.

We need a healthy Biondini on the pitch to help in midfield and Canini needs to be on the field more as well. I do wish Marchini was around to play also. Storari is not a bad keeper and made a great save on Trezeguet early on. I also think Jeda is a great link to the front. He has good movement and quickness and goes back to get the ball on the defensive side and can faciliate the offense. If Cagliari had a world class striker like Suazo, this is a mid table team. I dont understand how Cellino failed to realize the importance of a stud striker when he let Suazo go. His replacements or lack thereof are the reason why this team is bottom. The millions hes saved will be lost next year if they are in Serie B. I still question his ability to make the right managerial decisions.

While a win would have been great, a point and continued strong play should bode well for the future. I am actually getting excited again. Now lets hope they are on TV a little more.

Category: Cagliari, Serie A

Tags: Cagliari, Serie A

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