The Rossoblu welcome the anniversary of their 1970 Scudetto triumph as they look set to drop once more into the depths of Serie B.
This weekend saw Genoa entertain Cagliari at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, a Serie A fixture like any other by any account; but this weekend has had particular significance to Cagliari fans.
Currently sat in 19th of the Serie A table, this Sunday marks the anniversary of the Sardinian club’s one and only Scudetto from 1970.
Characterised by the exploits of club legend Luigi Riva in front of goal, Cagliari were near perfect in a campaign that bore just two defeats, compared to the 17 matches the Rossoblu have lost this season.
The people of Sardinia have been starved of players of Riva’s quality. ‘Gigi’ scored 21 goals in 28 appearances in their title winning season, forming an excellent attacking trio alongside Angelo Domenghini and Sergio Gori.
Even the coaching qualities of Manilo Scopigno look impossible to replicate, as he anticipated the mood at Cagliari and acted accordingly to motivate his squad.
Pierluigi Cera once recounted how Scopigno caught his players playing poker the night before a game, but much to their surprise he sat down with them and asked if they minded him smoking; they won their game 3-0 the next day.
A flurry of recent coaching changes has left Cagliari questioning their identity.
From the fast and furious tactics of Zdenek Zeman, to the more pragmatic style of Gianfranco Zola, the Rossoblu have been doing plenty of soul searching this season.
Indeed Cagliari have been in Serie A since the aforementioned Zola led the team to promotion back in 2004, which represents Cagliari’s longest stay in the Italian top flight.
With so many bright young players in the Rossoblu dressing-room, relegation could be catastrophic as they become easy targets for Serie A’s elite. Although promotion back to Serie A would be very likely, the prospect of a season in Serie B could be enough to lure players away and strip Cagliari of their backbone.
The statistics paint a very clear picture of where Cagliari have fallen short: they have conceded too many goals and not scored enough.
Their 35 goals are by no means the worst record this season, but with Marco Sau joint top-scorer with four goals, it could be said Cagliari lack firepower. Losing Victor Ibarbo in the January transfer window made life more difficult, and so far Paul-Jose Mpoku hasn’t been able to produce as the Colombian once did.
The 60 goals Cagliari have conceded is the worst tally in Serie A this season, with many pointing the finger at Zeman and his ultra offensive tactics; but the defenders themselves should shoulder some of the blame as well.
Despite reinforcing the goalkeeping department with both Alessio Cragno and Simone Colombi, the Rossolbu have relied heavily on Udinese loanee Zeljko Brkic, as neither of the Italians managed to cement a starting spot.
Godfred Donsah has been one of the brighter sparks this campaign, scoring twice in 17 appearances from a midfield position.
The Ghanaian has represented the faith in youth at Cagliari this season, but could very easily be tempted away if they were to be relegated.
At the opposite end of the age ladder, captain Daniele Conti looks likely to retire, sapping the club of their focal point in midfield.
Marco Sau could opt to stay considering his relationship with the city and its fans, but could just as easily take the ferry to the Italian mainland.
Relegation would be a good test of Cagliari’s new ownership.
With the unpredictability and eccentricity of Massimo Cellino now a distant memory, fans will be hoping those in charge can weather the storm. Sticking with Zdenek Zeman would be a positive step to establish the team identity and reduce complications.
With Genoa condemning Cagliari to their 17th defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon in Serie A, relegation seems inevitable with Atalanta moving further away from the drop zone.
The club’s Scudetto triumph of 1970 now serves as a painful reminder of Cagliari’s former glory, with any testimony expected to be a muted affair given their current predicament.
Whether the Rossoblu can muster a title challenge again is one thing, but to permanently escape the threat of relegation is a demon the people of Sardinia have longed to exorcise.
