PRESS ROOM | Words from CEO Melis

Alongside sporting director Guido Angelozzi (read here), general manager Stefano Melis opened the press conference and answered questions about Cagliari Calcio’s comprehensive project: the transfer market, sustainability, philosophy, values, and a vision we can all pursue together.

A STRONG GROUP, NOT JUST ON THE FIELD
The group is united, and this is the aspect I want to emphasize first. From the first statements, we saw the premises confirmed: we are all working with the right motivation and drive. I thank the fans for their support, with a new record number of season tickets at Unipol Domus. I don’t like to talk about a ‘project’: I prefer the term ‘path’. Since the Serie B year, we have decided to rebuild carefully, with clear objectives. We gave ourselves two or three years to get to where we are today, but we did well to only stay in Serie B for one season and from there we have built a growth trajectory. We want to continue this journey, with clear ideas and a precise direction.

POST-MARKET MANAGEMENT AND BALANCE SHEET
“Everything was done within a clear plan and with clear parameters. We’re satisfied with how we’ve operated. We’ve bought several players through costly but well-planned deals, and this has allowed us to build a solid, almost entirely owned squad: the only exception is Palestra, while for players like Kilicsoy, if they perform well, there will be an opportunity to buy them. We’ve also carefully managed the wage bill and have moved forward at a delicate time for Italian football with solidity and clear ideas. We’re working with the right mix: experience, youth, and identity. Idrissi, for example, has completed his youth career and made his Serie A debut. This is the model we want to follow.”

OBIETTIVI
“L’obiettivo è chiaro: la salvezza deve essere il primo traguardo. Vogliamo raggiungerla il prima possibile, ma siamo pronti a lottare. È fondamentale avere la determinazione di stare in campo in un certo modo, con organizzazione e spirito. Siamo abituati a programmare e continueremo su questa strada”.

THE YOUNG
I applaud the work of our Under-20 team and the entire youth team. Winning the Coppa Italia Primavera was the icing on the cake, a trophy that doesn’t come along often. We also came close to winning the Supercoppa, and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Francesco Pisano, who embodies the values ​​we expect from our coaches and everyone who wears this jersey. I don’t know if that victory was decisive in choosing Pisacane, but the coach has certainly earned this opportunity on the pitch: he’s worked his way up through our youth team, worked on Liverani’s staff, and had international experience that helped him develop personally and professionally. He had skill and a pinch of luck; he deserved this opportunity.

THE FANS’ TRUST, THE DESIRE FOR A NEW STADIUM
“We will try to restore the fans’ trust with spirited and proud performances. We’re playing in a temporary stadium, and we can’t be happy about that: the club’s true medium-term goal is the construction of a new stadium. In the season ticket campaign, we tried to be more democratic, leaving around a hundred seats free in both stands for those who come from far away and can’t buy season tickets.”

THE SQUAD
“Belotti’s arrival fits the mix we’re aiming for: bringing experience and values ​​to the dressing room. He’s a signing that completes a young and promising squad, just as Pisacane’s staff had envisioned during the build-up phase.”

TO BE PROUD
“Our goal is to have a vigorous season, with spirit, pride, and worthy performances. We want to give fans as much satisfaction as possible both on and off the pitch, with respect for everyone but without fear of anyone, pursuing our values.”