For the rossoblù a fundamental match in terms of salvation
CAGLIARI. Usually there is a tendency to reject the decisive match etiquette. All coaches do it and Semplici is not the exception. The Cagliari coach says it is an important match but that there will be another ten missing afterwards. Concept that does not wrinkle. Today, March 20, however, in La Spezia, the rossoblùs have an obligation not to make mistakes. It is played against a direct competitor and if it were to go wrong, the salvation goal would be a little further away.
After securing seven points in their first three games with the new coach at the helm, the Quattro Mori lost last Sunday at home to Juventus. A knockout that is against a stronger opponent, but it was not so much the result that was worrying, but the attitude and the mistakes made by the team. The fighting spirit shown for example in the match against Sampdoria was lacking; the defensive amnesias that sank the Sardinian team when Di Francesco was on the bench have been revised. Attitudes to reset and start again to get back on the right path after the slip.
Choices. The returns after the disqualification of Pavoletti and Lykogiannis add two new arrows to the options available to Semplici. Both the striker and the Greek have a good chance of starting in the starting line-up. The first is ahead of Simeone and there is a reason: the Ligurians suffer in the air game, where the “Pavo” is a master. The left fielder would focus on Nandez returning to the right lane, where he expresses the best of his potential. Reasons not to be underestimated, especially because with them on the pitch in those positions, Cagliari has resumed a march that had stopped for some time. Zappa and Simeone (who with Juve unlocked after a fast of over four months), however, hope to play, even if they have to chase.
The ex. Rafael and Farias. The first went away peacefully, the Brazilian has a poisoned tooth and already in the first leg he created many problems for the rossoblùs. Today, however, neither of them will be on the pitch from the first minute. The goalkeeper will watch from the bench, while the attacker will come in handy during the game. A player who in Sardinia has always gone to alternating current, continuing on this trend also in the other teams where he played. It is useless to deny that he would jump for joy if he were to give displeasure to his former teammates.
The opponents. «We prepare all the races to try to win them. We will also do it against Cagliari: if our attention is maximum, we can have our say ». Vincenzo Italiano frames the match against the rossoblùs. «Cagliari is dangerous in all its elements, made up of players who have the possibility of coming out of this ranking situation – he adds -. Since the change of technical driving they have started to change gears, it is a formidable team. The boys know how to get in trouble, just don’t get the attitude wrong ». Nzola will be called up but he is not at his best. In its place the young Piccoli, a player not to be underestimated. The trident is the identity card of the La Spezia technician. «« It’s not good to alternate 45 minutes in one way and then do another 45 in another way. We are aware that for the championship final we need to raise the bar », concludes Italiano, who has always been a great motivator.
Statistics. After the two wins against Sassuolo and Milan, Spezia have scored two points in their last five games. Among the defenders of the five major European leagues with at least four winning assists, Gabriele Zappa of Cagliari is the youngest, and one of only two born since 1999 together with Emerson of Real Betis. No team has scored fewer goals than Spezia in the first 15 minutes of g in this championship (one), while only Benevento (eight) have conceded more than Cagliari (seven) in this period of play. Cagliari have scored six goals in their last four league games, having only scored one goal in the previous seven. Today he hopes to find the way to goal again. It is essential in a race that is worth a lot.