The Croatian, shirt number 6, can return to the field. For the first few games he will have reduced minutes, but then he could make a significant contribution to the cause
CAGLIARI. An away match. And then two in a row at home. Other than sweet sleep: at the beginning of April Cagliari must always keep their eyes open. For what looks like a three-way tie break with Venice and Genoa. Rossoblù who, to stay in Serie A, need an ally, the home factor: Mazzarri’s team has so far won more away (Sampdoria, Atalanta and Turin) than at home (again Sampdoria and Bologna). The last total joy within the friendly walls dates back to 11 January, over two months ago. But now for the three or four victories that are needed, it is essential to win at Domus.
The problem? In reality there are two: Juventus and Inter. While there must be no extenuating circumstances for the other two clashes in Sardinia with Sassuolo, immediately after the Lady, and with Verona. Who can he count on? The big names who on paper should have ensured a mid-table championship are no longer there: Caceres and Godin in Spain and Brazil, Strootman and Nandez in the infirmary with little chance of returning to the field to help out. The truth is that Cagliari will have to reach the finish line with the players of the second round.
More Rog. The former Napoli can be a decisive reinforcement. In the meantime, he has been assigned the jersey, number 6. A few days ago Mazzarri drew the picture of the conditions of the midfielder: in training he runs and fights, but the playing time is very short. Among other things, he lacks the pace of the match: he does not see the field in an official match since the Roma-Cagliari of the first injury. The one in December 2020 that forced him to skip more than half the tournament: Di Francesco was still there.
Rog is now training with the group and could at this point enter the squad list for the away match in Udine. Notwithstanding that he would start from the bench since he should have no more than ten to twenty minutes on his legs. For a Rog at at least 80 per cent perhaps we will have to wait three or four games. He can be one more weapon. Walukiewicz is also recovering. But in defense the coach is in place and carving out a space will be difficult as Ceppitelli and Carboni are also staying out for now.
Training resumed today: Cagliari is waiting for Baselli to come out of Covid to have an extra man in midfield. To evaluate the conditions of Gagliano. But Mazzarri will also try – with half a team out with the Nationals – to focus on Pereiro’s second raise: together with Rog he can be the extra reinforcement for the final sprint.