Football Season Guide

Against all expectations, in the past season Cagliari had one of their best campaigns since their return to Serie A in 2004. In fact, they succeeded reaching the eleventh standing of the table while having made the top ten only twice until 2009. Such a positive result was obtained despite a deep financial crisis, the arrest of President Cellino, the lack of a Stadium, which saw them travelling to Trieste more than once, and the sacking of coach Ficcadenti. Lopez and Pulga, the men responsible for such an outcome, were confirmed at the helm of the team. According to some rumours, several key players were bound to quit during the summer for some richer clubs but, so far, it did not occur. The management succeeded confirming the likes of Astori, Nainggolan and Sau, despite the offers arrived to their desks. Their confirmation is certainly fundamental for the ambitions of the club, the permanence in Serie A that is. For sure, the two coaches might have hoped for some new signings in order to further strengthening the squad but the financial problems did not allow this to happen. The Greek defender Oikonomou was the major signing together with some junior players while Casarini and Thiago Ribeiro were the only ones to leave. Thus, the starting eleven should still see Agazzi in goals with Pisano, Rossettini, Astori and Avelar as the back four, with Ariaudo, Murru and Perico as their substitutes; Ekdal, Conti and Nainggolan as the midfielders with Dessena, Eriksson and Cabrera bound to play a major role; Cossu as the attacking midfielder with Sau and Pinilla as the forward two, with Ibarbo as the alternative.