PRESS ROOM | Coach Pisacane after the victory over Lecce

The reaction he was looking for, after the disappointment of elimination from the Coppa Italia, has arrived. Fabio Pisacane applauds his Cagliari team after their victory against Lecce, three crucial points in a direct clash and a performance built on fury, energy, and quality. “I congratulate the lads; they’ve had a tough week,” said the coach. “The Coppa Italia hurt us, and they wanted to bounce back. We’ve achieved a very important victory; to be clear, it was a direct clash, and losing would have been tough. We’re happy to have given our fans something to cheer about and to have felt their drive.”

THE REACTION
Pisacane also returned to the hours following the Cup match. «On Thursday I told the boys to raise their heads, because in football there is always another opportunity right away. You have to be calm and rational in managing moments: I didn’t want to transfer the frustration I had inside to the group. The boys proved to be real men and together we reacted by winning an important match.” An answer that the coach identifies above all in his attitude. «Defensive organization and fury must always accompany us, first of all. They were missing in the Cup, today we found them again. I’m starting to see that these guys, beyond their quality, put in their running and legs even without the ball.”

QUALITY AND BALANCE
The victory also confirms Cagliari’s desire to evolve. “In football, you have to innovate, change, and respond to needs, without ever settling or remaining stuck in the past. What we achieved last year isn’t enough: I’m not here to defend the past, but to build something new.” This growth also comes through the pursuit of balance. “If we hadn’t won tonight, some might have thought I was presumptuous in fielding so many good players. I know the risks I have to take, but I always think about improving and responding. Cagliari must have quality, but without ever losing the values ​​that have historically distinguished it: fury, energy, dynamism, and sweat.”

MALDINI’S TALENT
“He’s got it all. I can’t find any particular flaws except for having to stay focused for the entire 100 minutes. This is the step he needs to take to get where he deserves to be. Today he could have scored maybe three goals,” he adds. “He has talent, strength, and physicality. He needs to be nurtured and nurtured, but he needs to stay focused and not turn off the light. I don’t condemn him if he tries a move, but I call him out if he switches off. My job is to keep him on his toes, because he can give us a lot and, why not, even become an important player for the national team.” The decision to deploy him next to Mendy also had a clear tactical rationale. “It also helped Paul with his work as a passer-by and with his physicality, allowing him to then get into the goal area with greater clarity.”

SUGAMELE AND THE STRENGTH OF THE YOUTH TEAM
“Alessandro deserved it, and I believe in these guys; I always tell him that. I have strong players, and I thank the club for making them available to me. In football, decisions are made, and mistakes can happen, but credit must be given to the club and to all the people who work day and night to uncover talent. Sugamele is an Italian guy, and that makes us proud,” added Pisacane. “But I also think of Trepy, Mendy, and the many others who made their debuts and found success with us. My congratulations go to those who work to bring these guys into the youth system and the first team.”

FANS ALWAYS PRESENT
“The fans supported us from the first minute, and that wasn’t a given after Thursday’s elimination. We’re happy to have given our fans such a great satisfaction and to have won this victory together with them. We definitely need to be more precise, but with today’s attitude and energy, you often manage to turn the tables. When we missed a few chances, they hit the post or had a deflection: sometimes luck gives and takes away.”

SUGAWARA’S CONTRIBUTION
“He gives us specific characteristics and qualities we didn’t have in our squad. He can also play inside because he has the ability to build, as well as defend as a full-back. He’s a serious professional, experienced, and a leader. Cagliari now speaks Japanese thanks to him, and we’re happy to have him with us. He can play alongside Ze Pedro, Ciervo, and other wingers: the competition in that position is rising, and that’s an important aspect.”

FELICI’S INJURY
“The only disappointing thing is his exit. He told us he had a bad feeling, and we hope it’s nothing serious. After what he suffered last year, he also needs a bit of luck. He’s young and has great potential,” the coach concluded. “Today was a bad day for him, let’s hope for good news tomorrow.”