PRESS ROOM | Sporting Director Angelozzi meets with the media

Cagliari Calcio’s sporting director, Guido Angelozzi, spoke to the media in the press room at Unipol Domus after the summer transfer window closed. It was an opportunity to take stock of the deals completed and the technical project continuing after the first two matchdays of the season and the first break of the season. He was joined by general manager Stefano Melis (read here).

START OF THE SEASON AND ROUTE
“We’re satisfied with this start to the season. We faced two big teams, and I liked the way we played. Against Fiorentina, we took to the field just a few days after the sale of our best striker, and we still played a great game. In Naples, against the Italian champions, we put in a strong performance and only lost in the final second. In Serie A, there are many games that don’t finish in the 90th minute: the important thing is to have the desire and organization we’ve shown. I’m calm and confident about our path, which we want to continue based on our potential.”

TRANSFERS
“Piccoli and Zortea were sold only when they received unstoppable offers. With Piccoli, for example, Fiorentina moved at the last minute: negotiations had already been underway for some time, and other teams, both Italian and foreign, had expressed interest. We asked for a very high fee; perhaps not even the president expected them to reach those levels.”

BELOTTI’S IDEA
“After Piccoli’s sale, we evaluated several options. We also had other names on the table, but we immediately established a positive dialogue with Andrea: he called the coach to express his desire to come here. He’s only 31 years old, has made history in Italian football, and is a major signing for us. He’s a hard worker; he always worked hard at Como, and he really wanted to come to Cagliari. We have several young players up front: we needed someone with experience, and he perfectly embodies this need. We’re confident he’ll bring us great satisfaction.”

THE LATEST PURCHASES
After the excellent transfers, we activated Plan B, also at the direction of Coach Pisacane, completing four important acquisitions. I thank the entire scouting team, which worked diligently as always on the transfer market. Rodriguez, for example, had been monitored for years: he’s a significant investment. We’ve chosen two players in defense, one with experience like Zé Pedro and one with enormous potential like Rodriguez. Furthermore, let’s not forget Palestra, who arrived on loan but will make a huge contribution to our coaching team because he can play both on the right and left. The president was initially hesitant because Cagliari isn’t inclined to make these types of deals, but I convinced him: the coach appreciates him, and in fact, he was immediately used.

INDIVIDUALS
“I really like Rodriguez: he’s a versatile, promising 2005 player. Other top international clubs wanted him, but the Uruguayan tradition in Cagliari pushed him to choose us. Folorunsho brings quality and experience, and we did well to bring him here. Caprile has received requests, but the club has put up a fight: he’s a key player for us.”

MIDFIELD AND YOUTH
“We’re covered in midfield. Cavuoti was highly sought after in Serie B, along with Liteta, who was born in 2006 and has a promising future, rounding out the midfield. Both are strong, and Coach Pisacane is the first to believe in them. Rog, on the other hand, is destined to change sides. We haven’t signed any more young players precisely so as not to take away space from our players: we believe deeply in our youth sector and we must continue along this path.
I’ve always worked with young players, the so-called green line. It’s my way of working, and I won’t change: I’m not interested in building a team of only experienced players. Two years ago, with Frosinone, I was relegated at the last minute with the youngest team in Europe, but I’d make that decision again.”

THE EVOLUTION OF THE ROLE OF SPORTING DIRECTOR
“The role of sporting director has changed a lot since I started. Today, there’s technology and much more data, but I remain faithful to my traditional tools. I continue to trust my instincts: I talk to the players a lot, I look them in the eye, and I also value their human and character traits.”

FIRST REPORT
“When I agreed to come to Cagliari, I did it for both the city and the club: I didn’t have the slightest doubt. I immediately found the organization and the foundation to work well. We started with enthusiasm, we’re satisfied, even though we can always do better. Esposito is an example: last year everyone wanted him, but with his will and that of his agent, we managed to bring him here.”