The rossoblùs and their star who often marks in Friuli, Pereiro will be at his side. Pussetto returns to the Bianconeri
CAGLIARI. Udinese-Cagliari is a fundamental crossroads for the rossoblù in the race to safety. In fact, after three unsuccessful beats, a signal is needed to regain optimism, reinvigorate the standings and maintain the advantage over the pursuers, including Genoa seem to be in a clear recovery while Venice is decidedly less, also given yesterday’s last-minute defeat in La Spezia. However, today’s opponent evokes one of the worst pages of a championship lived on a roller coaster: a truly humiliating internal 4-0 for Cagliari. Since then the rossoblù have changed their tune, reinvigorating the hopes of staying in Serie A with some good victories that have given heavy points, and several excellent performances. This time it would take the coup to definitely get back on top.
Training. Mazzarri, for a change, does pre-tactics and does not give any reference to the opponents by letting it be known that the eleven who will initially take the field will be announced only before the match. The team managed to train fully, due to the commitments of the national teams, only three days ago, which is certainly not a point in favor for the coach. The absences of Pavoletti and Marin are recorded for covid. Long-term injuries Strootman and Nandez are also out, along with Ceppitelli and Gagliano struggling with muscle fatigue. Summing up, Mazzarri should opt for a lineup very similar to the anti Milan one that satisfied him, with Dalbert acting in the inside midfield quintet and Lykogiannis in the left lane and with Pereiro in place of Pavoletti alongside Joao Pedro in forward. Confirmed the back department with the trio Goldaniga, Lovato and Altare which is amazing fans and critics. Then there will also be Marko Rog, who returns after more than a year, after the injury in December 2020, and who could also play a segment of the match in the final.
Joao’s match. Joao Pedro has been dry for 7 games as his last goal dates back to January 23 at home against Fiorentina. He returns from the shock experience of the national team with the reduced presence of Italy-North Macedonia in the final minutes and the elimination of the Azzurri from the World Cup. But, in Udine he scored 4 times in 6 games and won Cagliari twice. The hope is that the tradition will be confirmed even today.
Udinese. The Udinese coach, urged to remember the beautiful victory of the first leg, hastened to throw water on the fire and to underline how every match makes a story in itself, promising battle. The Friulians will have to do without, unless miraculous recoveries, the injured Deulofeu (author of 2 goals at Unipol Domus) who will be replaced by the returning Pussetto and the suspended defender Pablo Marì.