The 2014-2015 Serie A season is soon to finish with Cagliari looking set to avoid relegation despite a troubled campaign, which saw them sack coach Diego Lopez, ending a fairytale appointment that never really transpired.
With president Massimo Cellino developing an interest in English football, specifically Leeds United, it’s unclear what future Cagliari has for the Italian entrepreneur. Balancing two clubs aspiring for the top division is an expensive adventure and one that could potentially bankrupt Cellino.
Notwithstanding these events, the Sardinian outfit is still a club with plenty of positives to draw on: the team has developed into a well-rounded unit with a mixture of imported talents like Victor Ibarbo and the home grown players such as Dario Del Fabro and Nicola Murru. It is this chemistry that has attracted players to the club and what will hopefully continue to do so once the current crop of players move on. The embarrassing episode involving Michael Agazzi’s refusal of a contract extension has marked an otherwise tranquil dressing-room this present year.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil lurks just around the corner with both Ibarbo and Davide Astori the most likely to make the trip. Next season will bring another tirade of bids for Cagliari’s brightest and best, as well as new additions with Brazilian midfielder Adryan expected to sign a permanent contract. Key individuals such as Astori and Marco Sau should still be at Cagliari when the transfer window shuts, but it remains a constant challenge for the managerial staff.
The Rossoblu recently travelled to face Genoa with just five games remaining in the campaign, boosted by the return of Nene and Mauricio Pinilla from injury. The hosts took the lead when Sebastian Di Maio picked up the ball loose in the area and thundered it past Vlada Avramov. However a mix up outside the box saw Sau race through into the penalty area and lob Mattia Perin from close range. Late on Ibarbo sealed the win when Sau’s determination presented the Colombian an opportunity to volley the visitors into the lead. The match finished 2-1 with both teams now separated by just three points.
Chievo Verona remain six points adrift making it a forgone conclusion that Cagliari will survive. All thoughts turn to improving on this season’s objectives and building further on the club’s young players. In recent times, the Rossoblu have begun to rival fellow Serie A sides Atalanta and Juventus for their youth prospects. Only last week, centre-back Del Fabro was playing for the Italian U19s and even managed to score. Francesco Pisano has played over 150 Serie A matches since his debut in 2004 while Nicola Murri seems to be getting better game by game.
The future for these players is bright, but not necessarily for Cagliari. Massimo Cellino needs to get his affairs in order with his Leeds United experiment likely to alienate loyal fans. The question marks surrounding the club’s home stadium has been a long and tiresome subject that needs urgent resolution, with neither of the major grounds in Sardinia fit to occupy. If Cellino wishes to follow Gino Pozzo’s example at Udinese when he purchased Watford, then that is his decision and one that he can only make based on financial stability.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
