PRESS ROOM | Coach Pisacane after Udinese-Cagliari

At the end of the match at the “Bluenergy Stadium”, the Rossoblù coach met with the media to analyse the win against Udinese. His words:

THE WIN FOR THE FANS
“I’m delighted for our fans. They deserve to experience these emotions, and it’s right that they dream. It’s up to us, as professionals, to remain level-headed and focused. Our objectives don’t change in September just because we have made an unexpected start: we know what we were built for, and if we take our foot off the gas for even a moment, things become difficult, as happened against Hellas in the Coppa Italia. But it’s right that the fans dream: football belongs to the people. There were so many of them here again today; they crossed the sea and travelled many kilometres. This win is worth more than six points.”

UNITY AND COMPACTNESS
“There are times when, within our actual capabilities, we need to play beautifully; on other occasions, we need to be strong. And I liked the team today because they were strong and knew how to suffer. I saw fifteen players defending every metre with great commitment. We always have to put ourselves in a position to play a game like the one we played today. We were facing a determined team that was desperate to win at home. Udinese have quality and, from midfield upwards, they are a very strong team. When they put the two strikers close together, we struggled from set pieces, but our desire not to concede made the difference. Seeing the team battle like that on such a difficult pitch gives me hope for the future, but we have to keep our focus on reality and on our objectives. We want to stay up, and we want to do it in a different way compared to previous seasons.”

THE TEAM’S FIGHTING SPIRIT
“Suffering doesn’t worry me if it is organised, accompanied by a great spirit of sacrifice and shared by everyone. That’s why this win is worth more than three points. This team knows that, to achieve certain results, we need to bring out that part of us imposed by our history, that fighting spirit. The setbacks that fate has thrown our way? I always try to be myself. If we see a tough team that never gives up and knows how to suffer, it’s also because I try to instil that above all else. Teams are often a reflection of their coach. Beyond the win, what I take away from today is our attitude. Our victory today doesn’t do justice to Udinese, who were built to pursue different objectives from ours: for us, this win is like one achieved against a top-level side.”

ON MALDINI
“What did I say to Daniel Maldini before the game? Nothing. I spoke to him when we resumed training. I was absolutely convinced that the boy was completely clear of any wrongdoing, and I think today’s goal also confirms that he acted in good faith. If he had had a guilty conscience, he wouldn’t have been able to give himself this satisfaction. I believe in positive energy. Daniel carries a heavy surname, he has talent, and today he wasn’t even at 100% because he had suffered a bruised sternum in the accident. But he made himself available to me, and I didn’t think twice about putting him on the pitch. At the moment, he is developing a good understanding with some of his teammates, and it would have been harmful not to have him on the pitch.”

CAPRILE’S PERFORMANCE
“Caprile in the national team? Elia deserves to wear the Azzurro shirt. There are hierarchies, but you also have to take into account what you see on the pitch. After Donnarumma and Carnesecchi, based on his performances at the moment, Elia is the goalkeeper who deserved to be at Coverciano over the next few days. If that hasn’t happened, it’s because the coach will have had his good reasons, but I’m convinced that he also looks at everything, every detail, and I’m absolutely convinced that Elia can aspire to be among the three or four goalkeepers in the national team.”

THE PLAYERS
“Mendy? Like all the young players, he needs to make mistakes and grow. He’s a 2007-born player who arrived here two and a half years ago from a different football environment, and it took time to develop him and give him the foundations. If we chose him, it’s because we saw potential in him. We put him on the pitch and accompanied him through a process with awareness and consistency, so that we could give him an opportunity this year. Circumstances arose that put us in a position to play him consistently. At the same time, the Club is showing that it wants to invest in young players. Paul made his Serie A debut with a brace; he has certain innate qualities, while others still need to blossom. We need to know how to be patient with him. He is gaining confidence and beginning to believe in his potential.

Romano? He doesn’t even realise how good he is: he’s a complete footballer. He reminds me of Strootman, who perhaps had a more refined touch than him, but Alessandro, in my view, has a greater physical impact. He understands the game, sacrifices himself, is dedicated and knows how to play football. He needs to play and make mistakes when necessary. He has surprised me, though: compared with Palestra, who last year I felt had made a few mistakes that really stood out, right here in Udine, Alessandro already looks like a much more mature footballer.

Adopo? He played as a mezzala in the 4-3-2-1, with Romano during the defensive phase and Maldini on Udinese’s double pivot. He, like Deiola, moved a little wider and took care of the two half-spaces when Udinese created width. He’s a player who can play both inside and outside, and he’s pleasantly surprising me. He is improving from game to game.”