Cagliari.

This island kidnaps you. As some Sardinian scoundrel did with some rich man on the Costa Smeralda. Aside from the jokes, there are many Sardinians by adoption. People who came from other places, perhaps in the mountains and foggy and remained on the island all their lives. This is also the story of Gigi Riva. A boy from Varese with a deadly left, very powerful, with a devastating stroke and an imposing physical presence. Gianni Brera called him Rombo di Tuono. He arrived at Cagliari as a promising youngster. Here he became a great champion. He wore the scudetto among the nuraghi (1969-70). He won a European championship (1968) and came close to the World Cup (1970). When in 1973, Boniperti, the president of Juve, told him "The contract is ready, just enter the numbers and sign". He said no. Gigi was tied to that land. With the brackish taste of the sea. To that dry land. To those poor people, often ignorant, but authentic. Gigi said no and remained in Sardinia. The others who followed, including the greatest of all, Francesco Totti, are only emulators of that boy from Varese who preferred the authenticity of the Sardinian people to the millions of Juve.

Mazzarri fielded the 352 which often becomes 532 in the defensive phase. They will come up with the game plan of defending and counterattacking, hoping to win the Olimpico with some favorable episodes, but the main idea is to bring home a draw. If the result of the tie continues, let's expect Cagliari dead on the ground, Cragno who takes ten minutes for the free kicks. All the worst of Italian football that the system has tolerated, bringing Serie A to be a grotesque and depressing show.

Under construction they come out mainly with the long launch for Pavoletti who makes the bank. Even in the offensive phase they are dangerous with the long pass for Pavoletti and Joao Pedro.

In attack, they play especially on their right with the Bellanova-Deiola dialogue (but also and in particular with Gaston Pereiro), with Bellanova's cross at the end for Joao Pedro or Pavoletti. Pavoletti is a true area animal with a great sense of goal. On crosses, he usually gets to the far post. Kumbulla has to be very careful about him. Alternatively, they are dangerous with Deiola's insertion without the ball and Marin's shot from outside.

Marin is also designated to take corners. From their left, our right, his crosses to the far post are very risky. However, I cannot rule out other solutions, for example with Gaston Pereiro always on their left at the near post.

On our coners, they field by zone with 2/3 men by man.

Our mission is to unlock the game as soon as possible, in order to avoid prolonging their wasting time and then go on to win with many goals of difference, when they will play more open. It is a very difficult mission because Cagliari has several good players (even with high technical quality such as Bellanova, Joao Pedro and Marin) and they are in excellent form, but we will have to aim for this.

A famous Liverpool sign from the early 2000s read "You could have been a king to us, you chose to be a red devil". It was referring to Wayne Rooney, an Everton fan since childhood and who went to Manchester United for ambitions and money. Gigi Riva chose differently. He chose to be king of Cagliari and Sardinia. Pellegrini and Zaniolo, like Gigi Riva, can also choose to be our kings for life, as did Francesco Totti. This choice is up to their abilities and their reflections. Their quality is fundamental in this game to be won. Daje Roma!

Giordano Sepi