PRESS ROOM | The presentation of Aurelio, Ciervo and Gagliardini

A day of presentations at Cagliari: at the Unipol Domus press room, new Rossoblù players Giuseppe Aurelio, Riccardo Ciervo and Roberto Gagliardini met with the media. “On behalf of everyone, the entire team, we would like to begin this press conference with a thought for Mattia Felici,” said the midfielder. “As you have heard, unfortunately his injury is serious. We will miss Mattia very much: not only the player, but also the person. He is a wonderful guy, always with a smile on his face. His absence will be a significant one for us.” The three players then took questions from journalists and shared their thoughts.

GAGLIARDINI’S WORDS
“The welcome I’ve received from the club and the environment has been very positive. I’m happy to be here and to start this new experience. I want to make my contribution and I can’t wait to test myself. I have a great passion for my job, for a sport that I love and have played all my life. I’m very ambitious and I always try to put as much pressure on myself as possible in order to improve. This year will be an important one for me: I want to maintain a high level. Being at Cagliari today is a source of pride. Me, immediately among the leaders? I’m approaching the situation with great serenity. Given my past and my career, I know what I can bring to these guys, some of whom may be experiencing this level for the first time. I try to always be myself with everyone. I don’t have any particular recipe; I want to contribute both on and off the pitch. I’ll try to help them as much as I can. The league? There are eight teams that certainly have something more than the others and they will be fighting for different objectives. Like many other teams, we will have to fight to stay up, an objective we want to achieve as soon as possible. The group? I’ve found a united, close-knit team. We can really do well and achieve some satisfying results, but we must never forget our path and our objective. The support at the Unipol Domus? Fantastic. Playing for an Island, for a People, is something new for me and I’m very excited about this adventure. Against Hellas and Lecce, I saw the incredible affection of our fans. I had already noticed it as an opponent: I’ve come here to play many times, and Cagliari has always been a tough place to play, with the crowd pushing the team on. Playing in front of the Curva is not easy when you are the opposition, so I know what it feels like. We will have to turn that into an advantage. The teammate who has impressed me the most? Romano. For his age, he is already very mature and he has a great future ahead of him.”

AURELIO’S WORDS
“When I received the call from Cagliari, I was very excited. The negotiations were completed within two weeks, and I’m proud to be here. I arrived at Cagliari at the right moment in my career and I feel ready for this adventure. I believe I had a good season last year, although unfortunately, as a team, the league campaign did not finish the way we had hoped. For me, this is an important opportunity. I’m determined to make the most of it, working as hard as possible and giving everything for my teammates. I remember my first years in Serie C. I saw Serie A as an ‘Everest’. Through hard work and dedication, helped by the results I achieved on the pitch, I continued along this path. After three years in Serie C, I moved up to Serie B and never stopped working to improve. I climbed this mountain and eventually made it to the top. I did it.
“The coach? He is very well prepared and has told me what he expects from me. Putting into practice what he asks of me allows me to help the team, so that everyone can benefit. I try to learn from everyone, especially those who have been here longer than me. The interpretation of my role varies from game to game. On some occasions, the coach asks the full-back to build the play, while on others he asks him to cover the whole flank. The welcome I’ve received? Very positive. Compared with all the other teams I have played for, things are different here. You play for a People and there is a strong sense of identity. The lads welcomed me brilliantly. I’ve found a healthy group, or rather a family, that is ready to help you with everything, even the smallest things, both on and off the pitch, at any time of day or night. From the staff to my teammates and everyone who works around the team, such as the kit men, for example. I really like the environment I’ve found here. Romano? I met him last January at Spezia. Even at his first training session, he made a big impression physically and technically. Despite being very young, he is already very mature mentally. He is highly determined and knows what he wants. He has improved since January. There are very few players his age like him: he plays like a veteran. He is a great lad and a real team player. The teammate who has impressed me the most? Deiola.”

CIERVO’S WORDS
I’m coming off a great season, both in terms of performances and minutes played. To arrive at Cagliari now is a source of pride for me; I couldn’t have asked for anything better. When I found out about Cagliari’s interest, I was genuinely delighted. I’m now focused on my own journey and on giving my very best for this shirt. I hope to have a great season, establish myself in this league and make a major contribution to the team’s objectives. My role? I have always played more in an attacking role, but nowadays it is important to be a complete player: to know how to perform in both phases, adapt to the team’s needs during a game and always be ready. There is a lot of competition for places in my position, and that gives me even more motivation to do well. Then, of course, it will be up to the coach to assess the situation and make his choices. We have to make sure we are ready. The teammate who has impressed me the most? I’d say Mina”.