PRESS ROOM | Nicola after Monza-Cagliari
This is what Davide Nicola, Cagliari’s coach, said after the 2-1 victory over Monza.
THE ANALYSIS
“I saw a team that interpreted the match well; it wasn’t easy. Right from the start, we almost went ahead, then we conceded a penalty which was fair, but we really wanted the win and never stopped believing. I’m happy because we made some good decisions compared to the past, avoiding being overly stylish and instead staying very focused. We only risked once with a poorly managed ball, but in other moments of the season, we’ve paid dearly for mistakes. Today, we take home the victory and the satisfaction of having earned what we produced”.
GROWING NUMBERS
“Piccoli? I’m happy with Roby, as I am with everyone. When I say we have a high-level group and that we need to build up our numbers, I’m referring to profiles like Piccoli, who had never scored five goals in a single half-season, or Zortea, who already has three goals in the league. We need to keep going like this, knowing we must be patient over the course of the season and during each match, because any opponent can cause you trouble, and every phase of a game can be decisive.”
PLAYER-LEADERS
“Player-leaders are essential in every team. They lead by example, both with their actions on the field and their mentality off it. These are the players who bring stability, guide their teammates through difficult moments, and set the standard for the group. A good mix of experience and youth creates a winning formula, and our squad has that balance. The more experienced players help the younger ones grow, while the younger ones bring fresh energy and enthusiasm. This leadership dynamic is key to achieving success and reaching our goals.”
THANK YOU, ROSSOBLÙ PEOPLE
“Seeing the stands full of our supporters was amazing; they gave us an enormous boost. They make incredible sacrifices, spending their own money to be close to us, so we thank them and we are happy when we make them happy. We work for this; it’s the best feeling to experience. They always follow us, no matter what, with a constructive critical spirit. Knowing that so many of them travel, spending a lot, is truly moving, and it’s even more emotional to make them happy.”
THE RIGHT SPIRIT
“Football is made of moments, and today we interpreted them well, unlike other times this season where we paid the price. The players adapted to the difficulty of the match; it wasn’t easy to come out victorious today. We showed that when there’s team unity, humility, and courage, you can achieve the result. Anyone fighting to avoid relegation can never be at ease. The three points are important to show that you’re on the right path. We are improving, but we know there are still many points to be earned, and those points are crucial for motivation.
WELL DONE, BOYS
“Yes, it can be summed up with the acronym P.E.P.E., which I used before the match, and you saw it in today’s performance. We played with desire and determination, always trying to win, no matter what. Felici? His progress has been on track, and he needed some time to adjust. He needs to get comfortable with the category. Today, it was the right time to give him a chance from the start with Luvumbo missing. I don’t know how many would throw a young player like him into such an important match, but Mattia played calmly and without overdoing it, contributing in his way. Scuffet? I knew he would perform well. He has improved his mental condition and gave a lot. As a coach, I always look for energy in my players, and for a while, he didn’t have it at his best, but that’s understandable. Today, he showed composure and courage in his clearances. If he were to leave us, it would be because he’s moving to a very important opportunity that would offer further motivation and personal growth.”
EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT
“Any other ingredients beyond the ‘pepper’? I’m not sure, but I think we interpreted the match well, using a variety of tactics even on the fly, and managing our resources wisely—both mentally, physically, and in terms of the players we brought in. In the fight for survival, you can never be at ease; you always have to fight, knowing that sometimes you get the reward, and sometimes you don’t, even if you deserve it. Today, we saw calmness, desire, the ability to read the game, and to build the goal. I’m particularly happy for the players.”
A WELL-BALANCED SQUAD
“Talking about starting players in midfield? In today’s football, it’s too limiting to speak of ‘starters’ or ‘non-starters.’ With five substitutions, you can’t avoid having a squad of 18-20 potential starters. So far, we’ve developed several young players who hadn’t scored much before, like Zortea and Piccoli, but let’s also think about Adopo, who had never played consistently in Serie A, or Felici, as we’ve already mentioned, and many others. These, together with the more experienced players who are important leaders, make up a squad of quality for our objectives. Now, certainly at the end of the first half of the season, we can make our assessments to understand where, how, and if we need to improve.”
