President Giulini locks the coach. Antonello Cuccureddu is convinced that salvation is an achievable goal
CAGLIARI. Walter Mazzarri remains in the saddle, the company has defined the rumors that speak of Iachini or Liverani as possible substitutes without foundation. The president Tommaso Giulini locks the technician to whom he has signed a biennial, with an option for the third year. General manager Mario Passetti also did it on Saturday, the patron reiterated it yesterday, making it clear that the helmsman can work calmly, the club’s trust in him is intact.
Antonello Cuccureddu follows the events of the rossoblù team with attention. You don’t lose a game and as a former player and coach, he makes a very frank analysis of the situation. «It seems to me that it is not as poor a team as the ranking says – the words of the former Juventus and national team defender. Seeing her down there is sorry. As a player and coach, I have never been in last place, but on a psychological level it is a problem that affects you. I see a lot of pessimism, I go against the tide and say that he has the requisites to save himself. I believe that in addition to tactics, Mazzarri must work on the players’ heads ».
What do you think is wrong?
«They always take goals. It seems to me that so far they have never managed to end a game without conceding a goal. In my opinion the defensive phase is an unsolved problem. There is a little organization in the transition phase. When you lose the ball you have to be ready to defend and this doesn’t always happen. With Atalanta the second goal came from a lost ball, with the team in a very bad position ».
Are injuries having a heavy impact?
«On this I agree with the coach. Let’s face it, the squad available is not very large. When you are missing three or four players all together it becomes a problem to replace them. I say this because some elements of the group do not know how functional they are ».
Make the names.
«In the meantime, Farias, it seems to me that he is in Cagliari only because he has a contract. The times he entered the field, even for a few minutes, he gave nothing to the team. Pereiro remains a player yet to be discovered, as is Oliva whom we have practically never seen. But if Mazzarri doesn’t let them play there will be a reason ».
Are the biggest gaps in midfield and defense?
“I think yes. A player capable of verticalization is missing. Marin is a mezzala, Strootman is not in shape or maybe in a waning phase, I don’t know. It seems to me that he is not physically well. He has experience but so far he has given little. The mistake was not to replace Rog, a fundamental player who is missing a lot at Cagliari ».
Mazzarri in nine games has collected six defeats and brought home five points.
«Changing the coach does not always produce the desired effects. At this point I don’t know if all the responsibilities were with Semplici. Nobody has a magic wand, but Walter has the experience to bring the Rossoblu back to a quieter part of the table. I can say that I’m seeing a lot of mistakes on the defensive, with rough scoring. I’ll give you an example: in the match against Atalanta, taking Zapata into the area without doubling him was a suicide ».
Is it a team with little personality?
«I think a little bit so. When you have to save yourself you have to play with determination. Unfortunately, Cagliari does it only at times ».
How does it come out?
«The teams on the left side of the table are not made up of phenomena. There is time to recover. Mazzarri’s task is to compact the group, to convince the players that they can and must do much more. Retreat is not a cure-all, even if it can be useful ».
The thrills of last season are said to have taught society nothing. How do you think?
«I have read that President Giulini has always considered Semplici a fallback. If so, he was wrong to keep it. We had to start with a new project already in the summer. I think that errors of assessment have also been made on the market. But it is not the time for these analyzes, now we need serenity, coldness and make everyone square together. Only in this way can we get out of the crisis ».
Be honest, do you believe in Cagliari’s salvation?
«I say even more: I am sure he will make it. Provided that from now on the character comes out ».
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