Cagliari Club Focus: The best in Trieste

Date: 18th April 2013 at 12:36am
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For the fans of Cagliari it turns out that now every game is an away game. This week they travelled half way across Italy to Trieste to see their team take on Inter. It was a journey that the few who made it would not forget, as in controversial circumstances they emerged victorious.

In fact, it was a Chilean Inter fan, playing for Cagliari who cheated his way to victory in a home game that was closer to Milan than Sardinia, confused?

The Is Arenas had been abandoned due to dubious security issues so it was decided that (similar to the end of last season) the game would be played in Trieste. This farcical event, which is the equivalent of Shamrock Rovers playing their home games at Watford, took place amidst much fist banging and gnashing of teeth.

Cagliari’s Diego Lopez said in his press conference that “Playing on neutral turf is a grotesque situation, as we’re the home side only in a manner of speaking. It is above all a shame for our fans, as they have been made to pay the biggest price for this absurd state of affairs.” Lopez once again making sure he offended as many people as possible, other than the fans, in his latest (justifiable) outburst.

The game itself did not see Cagliari as methodical as they have been at the Is Arenas. Nerves, caused by playing in their new, or should it be classed as ‘end of season surroundings’ took over and Inter were on top first half.

After the break self-confessed Inter fan Mauricio Pinilla decided to take a tumble. “I controlled the ball and changed direction in the box, then when I felt the touch of course I dived,” he said on Sky Sport Italia. You can’t complain about his honesty, well actually you can, but off the pitch he is a decent fellow. Cagliari won 2-0 thanks to a second goal scored later on by Pinilla.

The expectations, after Pinilla spilled the beans, was that he would be dealt a hammer blow from the Italian footballing authorities. They said that “We cannot evaluate with certainty what effects that contact had, to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt. Therefore, the Disciplinary Commission has decided not to take any action against Pinilla.”

Honesty is obviously the best policy, although this is probably an example that should be kept out of reach of small children.

Inter were baffled, annoyed and cursing their terrible luck and a certain Chilean, Andrea Strammacioni mused that “The first half was good considering the emergency situation we are in, as we created three scoring opportunities and Samir Handanovic was never tested.

The key was yet another injury in this cursed campaign, as we lost Walter Gargano. At that time I had pushed Esteban Cambiasso and Mateo Kovacic up to give us more attacking heft and Gargano was the glue. His absence made us lose something in terms of balance.” Injuries have been key to Inter’s demise, however, at least they have a stadium.

Karma is a funny thing and Cagliari seem to be reaping the benefits. Maybe they have discovered footballs Holy Grail? Huge mismanagement, plus gross negligence, divided by a ridiculous stadium situation equals an incredible run of form?

I’m sure there are teams that will disagree but it’s worth remembering that Napoli and Fiorentina are where they are today from a rather similar formula. I doubt that Real Madrid will buy into this, but it’s working for Cagliari.

Follow Richard Hall on Twitter @Gentleman_Ultra. Also check out his blog The Gentleman Ultra.

 

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