Roberto Canestraridefender for two seasons in Sardinia between 1978 and 1980, has always remained linked to the red and blue: “I left a lot of affection in Cagliari and the people of Cagliari. Every time we talk about Cagliari, my heart opens“. Today, on his 71st birthday, FootballCasteddu reached him by phone to talk about the team led by Ranieri: this is the interview created for you readers. Enjoy the reading.
Hello Roberto. What is your opinion on Cagliari’s state of health?
“A few months ago I saw Cagliari very badly, with disappointment: I considered it a team in difficulty, with controversy also from the fans who represent a fundamental twelfth man. Instead Now I see an extremely positive situation, a healthy group that has acquired credibility and is trusted. Ranieri makes the difference, even though he may be considered dated“.
The fight for salvation is not at all simple and requires further effort.
“I consider the Cagliari square, compact, against whom it is not easy to play. At this crucial moment in the championship I am very optimistic, despite so much competition at the back. It’s not done yet, but I believe it“.
The winter market brought with it two additions that immediately proved to be important.
“Mina And Gaetano they are elements of personality. The Colombian gave kilos, centimeters and wickednessthe attacking midfielder owned by Napoli is a point of reference for quality And goals. It’s not always possible to straighten things out in the January transfer window, Cagliari chose well and the results prove it“.
This year the shifting sands of the championship have involved numerous teams, including constant protagonists of Serie A year after year, thanks to careful planning and management.
“In the fight for salvation there are clubs that I respect a lot from a sporting and management perspective. Very active in scouting, a situation which however does not provide certainties in the subsequent comparison with the field. For example Sassuolo and Udinese: in Serie A for many years, they have made mistakes despite their abilities. It is not always possible to replace those who are valued and sold, as well as maintaining expectations with new arrivals“.
It is essential to manage physical and especially nervous energy, where even a single event can change the course of an entire championship.
“Sometimes the balance in championships is so subtle that even one episode or a single match can lead to a turning point. Then the coach must put his own spin on it, clearly. As well as in Cagliari, where the public was reunited by Ranieri. Because you can’t go anywhere alone if the environment isn’t cohesive. Excellent players arrived in the winter transfer market and now the mechanism is working properly. Well done to the players and managers for not going along with a change of coach: if Ranieri had left, the path to relegation would have been marked. I have no doubt“.
Away to Genoa on Monday and the final rush, with an eye on the results of the other teams and the awareness of being healthy.
“The team has become real in the last two months, it never gives up and is there even when things get bad. An important attitude, which regardless of the individuals and in my opinion represents Cagliari’s masterpiece in this last part of the championship. The club was good at believing in Ranieri’s figure, without hesitation: when he threatened to leave, everything changed. However Cagliari knows that they still have to fight, eat hard bread. The conditions to reach the goal are there“.
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