With Lecce one step away from safety, the rossoblù are looking for three golden points after the heavy defeat in Genoa
From:
Giammaria Lavena
We are at the end of a complicated season. Cagliari is embroiled in a last-gasp fight to stay in Serie A. There are probably six teams involved, if we remove Lecce (not yet mathematically saved) who however are 7 points away from third-last place and therefore boast a rather comfortable situation compared to rivals.
The rossoblùs play a portion of the season against Lecce. For Ranieri’s team, a success would bring the Sardinians significantly closer to their goal, on the other hand a defeat would risk sending them sliding back into the darkest slums.
One position divides the two teams in the standings that will face each other at the Unipol Domus on Sunday at 12.30pm. Lecce, as mentioned, is moving towards a quiet safety, 13th with 36 points, while Cagliari follows on 32 points, 14th in the standings just one point behind Verona, Frosinone and Empoli, and 3 behind Udinese, with Sassuolo further behind with 26 points.
It is therefore a tussle for the fight for survival: no one intends to give up and join the already relegated Salernitana in the second division. So, now, every match will truly be a final, and for Cagliari the one at home against Lecce must be a wonderful opportunity, given that Milan will then be there. Ranieri hopes to fully recover Mina and Dossena, who were notably absent in the heavy defeat in Genoa.
The Apulians are an uncomfortable customer, and in the last five days they have lost only one match, drawing with Roma and Monza and winning the direct clashes with Empoli and Sassuolo. To win, a careful and concrete match will be needed, given that the opponents will allow little space and will be ready to strike at the right moment. In short, the Cagliari of great occasions will be needed.
