When in football history has a club performed so admirably, so tenaciously and in such a unified fashion when in the face of such utter absurdity?
When, after a defeat, has a team bounced back to continue their incredible run of form with a convincing victory against quality opposition, whilst under surrounded by such a pathetic infrastructure and such deplorable bureaucracy? Cagliari have, Cagliari are and Cagliari will continue to do so, bless their souls.
Where to begin? Where to start the tale of incompetence? Where to tell the story only a Sardinian could understand? It started this week when once again the game at the Stadio Is Arenas had to be played behind closed doors. It was understandable that anger and disappointment was high, however what happened next was simply farcical.
A club statement read “The Board of Directors of Cagliari Calcio has resigned this evening at the end of an emergency meeting. The decision was taken in a sign of solidarity with the protest this morning by fans and players. This is a protest against the causes that provoked these problems, as any solution remains uncertain.” Was this not just a simple case of ‘cutting of your nose to spite your face’
Reaction to the game being played under these conditions was understandable as even Sampdoria coach Delio Rossi said “In my view, this is a problem. Playing behind closed doors is like kicking off at 12.30pm – it’s just not football. We’re going to have to be good with our heads as well as our feet in that environment.” However, did it warrant the board resigning?
To add to the insanity president Cellino was released on house arrest last week and as mentioned moved to Villamassargia in the hills to see this out. It was later revealed that he has now incredibly been moved to the Asseminello training camp. This means he will be in the same building as the players. Only in Italy could house arrest involve moving houses so that you can go about the business. Will he relocate to the bank next week? Or maybe his favourite restaurant? Can you do house arrest in a motor home? Who knows in Sardinia?
Every week the football manages play second fiddle to the chaos and this week was no exception. The Sardinians faced a tough opponent in Sampdoria who had acquired (since the winter break) 18 points from nine games, conceding just three goals. Cagliari again were superior however and as the match went on a rather strange candidate for a hat-trick came up with one.
Victor Ibarbo, not known for being prolific, scored three fine goals when the Sardinians needed it most. What next Amuari scoring hat-tricks? Maxi Lopez pulled one back from the spot but the game had already been won and the home side continue to look safe from the drop.
After the game a press silence in protest at the decision to play behind closed doors was upheld by players and staff alike whilst Delio Rossi said “Today we did not do well and Cagliari deserved the victory. They were superior in every aspect. Our performance was too bad to be true.”
Ivo Pulga’s side continue on their honourable fight back whilst all around them falls apart. Every week brings the thought of ‘whatever next?’ and every week it is twice as bad as first thought. Maybe next week the president will move into the Stadio Is Arenas making the crowd a total of one? Maybe the team will refuse to play in stadiums with fans? Or perhaps they will decide that the new board will be made up of people only from Trieste? There is always a shock and always a surprise always a twist and certainly a turn. If stability ever does resume however, you can guarantee it would be chaos on the pitch instead.
Cagliari are very entertaining on and off the pitch.