A well-earned draw against Palermo was followed by the destruction of Roma in the Olimpico. Now Cagliari faced AC Milan at home, so surely the build-up would have been focused and the confidence high? Not in Sardinia, instead, they were looking for somewhere to play?
For many this may sound ludicrous, ridiculous, even obscene, but for the regulars at the Stadio Is Arena this is now the everyday pandemonium that has sadly become the norm.
Before every home game the stadium has security checks and more often than not it fails them, only for the local authorities to change their mind when they realise they do not have the conviction to follow it through. Not this time apparently, this time they were making a stand.
Turin! Cried the powers that be, this is where the game must be played, the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. So it was that the Sardinians found themselves looking at the prospect of travelling to a stadium only three hours away from Milan by train, yet much further away from their island than could be logically explained.
Fortunately somewhere in this manic confusion someone had the sense to allow the appeal to go through which meant that the game could be played at home but still only behind closed doors. The bizarre had been diluted to the crazy. In the end and at the very last minute the authorities caved in and allowed the fans in (just like most weeks) and by this time Milan had arrived.
Ivo Pulga on hearing the news said “I hope it will prove to be a festival of football. If we are playing in Sardinia, it is thanks to the admirably sporting Milan attitude and the fans who made their voices heard.”
Amidst the chaos a football match ensued and to their credit both teams made a game of it, Victor Ibarbo gave the home side a first half lead before Davide Astori was sent off for a second bookable offence. The following penalty was customarily despatched by Mario Balotelli and despite Milan laying siege to the Sardinians goal the game finished 1-1.
Both Coaches declared themselves happy after the game; Ivo Pulga declared that “There is great satisfaction for the way we played. On points, we would’ve won. I doubt that Milan would have equalised without that penalty” Meanwhile Massimilliano Allegri had a positive take on things saying that “We earned a good point against a strong Cagliari side. We need patience. Stefan El Shaarawy felt tired, which is natural”
Since the New Year the only stability that the Sardinians have been able to enjoy has taken place on the pitch. This cannot be scoffed at however, as had anybody offered Pulga four points from games against Milan and Roma he would have snapped thier hand clean off.
The questions do have to be asked that, if in all this Nero-esc form of chaos the players can still focus and perform, then imagine what they could do with real stability? Or is it simply a case that when all around you is falling apart and you have your back to the wall, all you can do is fight?
