PRESS ROOM | Pisacane after Como
These were the words of Fabio Pisacane, Cagliari coach, after the 2-1 home defeat to Como. Below is the coach’s analysis with the media at Unipol Domus.
HIGH-LEVEL PERFORMANCE
We played a high-level match against a top-tier opponent. When a team like ours, fighting for survival, finds itself without six or seven potential starters, the goal is to find solutions, and today we once again demonstrated our qualities, our identity, our desire, and our ability to play on equal terms without simply defending. Today we had Folorunsho back from the start, Esposito found the back of the net again, and we’re moving forward with many positives and the disappointment of not having picked up any points in a performance of this caliber. It’s a shame because we deserved more points, and it’s a shame, but in the end, everything in football makes up for it, I’m convinced of that. We showed tremendous concentration on the pitch; they could only have broken the deadlock with a great goal, and that’s exactly what happened. We’ve already put in similar performances against other big teams, allowing our opponents to have very few shots on goal. Congratulations to Da Cunha, who produced a truly remarkable performance.
FOLORUNSHO ON TOP
If I also had Borrelli or Belotti available and could have several attacking options of a certain type, I would move him back. However, I believe that after two months out, it’s important to keep Folorunsho free from excessive cognitive constraints, allowing him to play higher up the pitch, where he had one of his best seasons, at Hellas Verona. Without Belotti and Borrelli, I only have Pavoletti and Mendy—who was born in 2007—with certain center-forward characteristics, and I have to take that into account.
ESPOSITO AT THE TOP
I’m incredibly happy with the work he’s doing. Today I was absolutely convinced he’d score again. I don’t know why, but I could feel it from the way he pushes himself to the max every day. He’s never let up in his dedication, commitment, and quality. I know how much he’s suffered, and I congratulate him for everything he’s giving us. He’s very important, and he will be from now until the end.
TOWARDS PISA
We’ll approach that match as we always have, with great focus and spirit, working hard. In Serie A, nothing is guaranteed; you can lose a seemingly easy match, and vice versa. We move forward with constructive, not destructive, pressure. I’m not just focusing on results, but on performances, starting with today’s. Meanwhile, we hope to recover the absentees as soon as possible, because they certainly weigh heavily on the season’s performances. I don’t make tables, and I never have. We’re taking it game by game because there are still 30 points to go and there’s a lot to work on, but with performances like today’s, I believe we’re on the right track.
REFEREES THAT LEAVE DOUBTS
Today I’ll make an exception. Perhaps I’ve been too good these past eight months, but it’s one thing to be good, and another to be something else we can’t say. I reiterate that I want to help the referees, and I think they need a positive and proactive attitude, not always complaining. However, I think that by putting on a good face, incidents too often go the other way, and I’m very sorry; this isn’t good. Esposito won’t be in Pisa, and that’s the most important thing I regret; this matters more than anything else. I prefer to talk about football and the match. We played a great game, and the winner is always right, and congratulations to Como and Da Cunha. They have so many quality players who can score certain goals. We almost denied that one, too, which is a shame because we really put in another great performance, as we’ve done in the past against other big teams. Seeing yellow cards waved for simulation on both Palestra and Esposito is strange, to say the least. Esposito’s suspension, which was pending a warning, makes me furious. I’ve never commented on refereeing incidents, and instead advocated a different attitude towards the match director. However, being mocked in this way is not right.
LITETA INCREASINGLY CONVINCING
I know Joseph well and have never had any doubts about him. He comes from a different geographical, cultural, and footballing background. He’s coming along well, but clearly needs to develop, as is normal for a 2006 player. He has potential that perhaps even he doesn’t know and that we haven’t seen yet. I launched him with conviction right away on the pitch in Verona and then at Juventus. He’s continued to work with us and is now showing everyone what he’s capable of in that position in front of the defense.
FABREGAS’S COMPLAINTS
The grass being too high? It wasn’t our default tactic. I know Cesc and we know he’s very detail-oriented, but it certainly wasn’t a strategy. I’d add that we hadn’t played at 3 PM in a long time, while Como plays there often, so if we look at all the details, we’d never finish. In any case, congratulations to Fabregas and Como for what they’re doing. I wish them all the best for the end of the season.
ABSENCES AS A VIRTUE, NOT AN ALIBIS
Absences are never an excuse, but it’s clear that we’ve had few options due to injuries for some time now. Those who come in and play have opportunities and always give us a lot, but I reiterate that the players we’re using today would have had plenty of time, even though they’re young, otherwise we’d be inconsistent with the project we embarked on this summer. Our players must continue like this; they amaze me in every match with their spirit and dedication. They must take the applause in the good times and accept the difficult moments, as is normal in football and in life, but we’re moving forward with confidence. For Pisa, I’m counting on having Gaetano back, whom we didn’t want to risk today. Deiola is picking up the pace, and we hope to have as many players available as possible as soon as possible, as they’ve been out for a while.
