THAT TIME… | Rossoblù wave in Monza
“I ask for the help of our fans, they are determined and only thanks to them can we continue to pursue our goal”. Claudio Ranieri’s words and music on 18 February 1990 at the ‘Brianteo’ stadium (now the ‘U-Power Stadium’) in the post-match of Monza-Cagliari, the Serie A match that marked the return of the red and blue team to Serie A, the second gem of the 1988-1991 three-year period marked by double promotion and salvation in the top division, the Mister’s first cycle in Sardinia.
A statement, the one accompanying the analysis of the match won 1-0 with Provitali’s goal, that sounds familiar and that is the coach’s trademark in making the red and blue people feel an integral part of the team’s success, thanks to the continuous, incessant and strong support for the boys. A stadium practically all red and blue, thirty-four years ago, thanks to the many Sardinians who had emigrated to the Peninsula and Europe in addition to those who had come to Brianza from the island by any means.
A scenario that brings us back to today, with thousands of Cagliari fans ready to pack the stands on Saturday at 15:00 for the challenge against the Biancorossi. Then a crucial match in the match for promotion, today another stage, yet another battle to chase salvation in the 2023-2024 Serie A. With just over a day to go until the sales deadline (set for Friday at 19:00), the guest sector of the ‘U-Power Stadium’ is in fact packed almost to capacity, with only a few hundred tickets still available, in addition to the many Cagliari supporters who will be present in other areas of the stadium.
A new voyage of the people, yet another demonstration of what Cagliari means to its people and how this visceral relationship is emphasised at key moments in red and blue history. Beyond the result, beyond the category, Sardinia and Cagliari: one and the same thing.
Photo: Provitali and Rocco in an exultation during the 1989-1990 season (Cagliari Calcio Archive)
In the following video the story of Monza-Cagliari (18/02/1990) in a news report of the time.
