PRESS ROOM | Pisacane after Atalanta-Cagliari

Rossoblù Head Coach Fabio Pisacane spoke to the media after the victory over Atalanta at the “New Balance Arena” in Bergamo.

ON THE GAME
“Without a doubt, we needed to put in a performance like this, covering the pitch well, with intensity and intelligence. The team knew that to win here we had to put everything into it: dedication and sacrifice, along with the quality of football that we are trying to play and develop. This victory is not the end goal, but it shows that, with humility and hunger, we can cause problems for anyone. Otherwise, we risk getting into serious trouble, as happened in the Coppa Italia.”

HEAD, HEART AND SACRIFICE
“We are fighting for survival. Without sacrifice, togetherness and unity, we won’t get anywhere. I’m pleased to see the record-breaking statistics; we’re happy, but this is a starting point from which to keep working. We want to make our people proud to be represented by these players. As I told the lads from day one, we want to play attractive football without forgetting who we are, our soul, and the fact that a team fighting to stay up must always be highly focused when we don’t have the ball. Cagliari’s best start in the three-points-per-win era? I hope that among the 682 people who were in the away section in Bergamo today there was someone who also experienced the days of Gigi Riva and knows how beautiful it is to see Cagliari up there. We have our limitations, which is normal because we are a team fighting to stay up, and if we don’t fight together, we can suffer defeats like the one against Verona.”

THE BATTLE WITH SARRI
“Working on the opposition? At the moment, Atalanta are a powerhouse, but they will be even stronger when they put into practice everything the Head Coach is asking of them. I saw a back four that isn’t ‘Sarri-esque’ yet; we tried to exploit that. Atalanta are a strong team that work very hard. I’m a supporter and admirer of Sarri. I was lucky enough to attend two of his UEFA A and UEFA Pro courses, and it was a privilege. It’s an honour to have won the battle against him today. In the first half, we wanted to man-mark Kessié, then we changed our tactical approach several times during the game. The goals were the result of what we had prepared. Atalanta are a powerhouse and they will become even more so. In a few months, they will be even stronger than they are today. I wouldn’t say that I take inspiration from him, but without a doubt he made me fall in love with positional football as he understands it. So many tactical changes during the game? We want to give continuity to a starting line-up which, at this moment, because of physical condition and injuries, is the most suitable and is giving us results. When you face stronger opponents, you have to adapt and change your approach, studying the game and finding strategies even during the match to cover the pitch and make sure we have the right assignments.”

THE PLAYERS
“Maldini? He needs to stay involved in the game. This season he has an important role when we don’t have the ball. My job is to speak to him often so that he doesn’t have lapses in concentration. In the second half, we changed our game plan to have numerical parity on the left as well. In the first half, with Fazzini slightly inside, we accepted the risk of leaving some space against Bellanova. In the second half, we wanted to screen Kessié by having Maldini and Adopo put pressure on the opposition defence. Romano? He knows what he wants. I have a gem in my hands, and it’s up to me and the staff to nurture him and get the best out of him. There’s no need to keep his feet on the ground. Deiola? It’s great to highlight how well he is doing. He works incredibly hard, he feels the shirt as if it were sewn onto him because he cares so much about it, and he plays to represent his homeland. We’re delighted with how well he is also playing as a centre-back. Mendy? We chose players who suited our ideas and the football project that the staff, the Club and I wanted to build. He still needs to work on becoming more efficient in his running. Today he covered the ground more efficiently and with less volume, which means that we are all working with a great desire to improve. Winks? He’s a player who knows how to play football. He needs to be supported by players with more pace and stamina, but to come here and play the way he did does justice to his career and his great qualities. We certainly know that we can rely on top-level players like Harry and others.”

A SPECIAL DEDICATION
“I really want to dedicate this victory to Roberto Muzzi, who has lost his father. Early this morning, together with the President and sporting director Accardi, we travelled to Rome and back to attend the funeral, because Roberto deserved that. Mendy is a fitting tribute to him because he is one of the many players on the pitch and on the bench today whom Roberto has nurtured and helped develop. On behalf of the entire Club, the players, staff and employees, we want to express our closeness to a Cagliari symbol like Roberto.”