Cagliari came to Rome as an unpredictable force who could offer much but just as easily offer very little. In a superb game they swept aside a Roma team who have been equally unpredictable under their madcap tactician Zeman.
It all proved too much for the Giallorossi who ultimately, not only lost the game but they also lost their coach. For Cagliari, surely, the only way up?
The end result was 4-2, with goals from Radja Nainggolan, Marco Sau and Francesco Pisano sealing the points, although the highlight (or moment to forget for the Romans) was an own goal from Mauro Goicoechea in which the beleaguered goalkeeper almost slapped the ball into his own net from the cross.
The victory was down to much more than just a poor error form the keeper because, Cagliari’s counter attacking was sublime.
The Sardinians defended deep with seven men at least behind the ball at all times, leaving a trident on Sau, Thiago Ribeiro and Segundo Ibarbo ready to break at a moment’s notice to expose Roma’s dangerously high line.
Truth be told, had Ribeiro’s first touch been better and the result could have been far worse.
The Sardinian camp was ecstatic with the result, “We were careful with their high defensive line,” Sau told Sky Sport Italia. “And then we tried to beat them on the counter-attack. We played a great game against a very strong team here tonight.”
Meanwhile cssistant coach Diego Lopez stated that “We put our heart into this match. We played a very smart game. We were brilliant on the counter and certainly deserved the three points.”
So all at Cagliari is as spectacular and as sublime as the beautiful Sardinian surroundings? Of course not, like at Palermo, the club represents a recovering addict from madness, once you think they are cured then bang! Here comes the crazy. This time it is a problem that many has dogged the club for years. The Stadium.
A ‘Provincial Supervision Committee’ released a statement saying that “At present there are concerns over public safety for the match between Cagliari and AC Milan on Sunday 15.”
The Isloani’s communication director, Ivan Paone, added that “at the moment nothing official has been announced. We are waiting for the findings of the Committee – and only then can we respond.”
Right now in Sardinia, you can forget the president, you can forget the local authorities, the stadium and the inconsistency because right now they are on a high.
It’s Milan next at home and why should they be nervous? Milan are improving and with the marquee signing of Mario Balotelli they are certainly stronger than they have been in a while. You have to wonder, how many on the island would swap the moody and inconsistent ‘Super Mario’ for the reliable and talented Sau?
There is only one way to follow Cagliari. One game at a time. Expect and they will disappoint, despair and they will prove you wrong. Long term future? Forget it! At Cagliari they live for now.
