When fighting for salvation there are several details that can make the difference. A double-digit attacker, a group ready to get into the battle spirit, a leader who drags the rest of the team along, a united locker room. All elements that are often decisive, but which rarely reach the importance of a reliable goalkeeper. He knows something about it Cagliari which, in its recent history, has had the most difficult seasons precisely when the choice of goalkeeper was not a happy one. It is enough to remember the first year of Giulini’s presidency – Pigeons And Cragno before the ascent attempt with Brkic in January – or salvation with Ballardini with the arrival of Storari to overcome the duo’s difficulties Fortin-Marruocco.
Challenge
Fundamental in the promotion process, but with some doubts remaining despite positive performances. Radunovic he thus started as the designated starter in the Serie A championship, a sort of recognition for what he had given in the path that had brought him from the right side of the table Cagliari until the playoff final then won against Bari. And, who knows, the very last minute of the San Nicola match, a few seconds after the goal of Pavoletti, has sounded the alarm bells for the future. An unfortunate exit, the missed ball, Bari almost equalising. So in the summer one of the first moves of the rossoblù club was to support the Serbian with a teammate who could be a guarantee in case of performance not at the expected level. In words not a real contender to starter’s shirt, because the hierarchies were immediately well delineated. In reality, however, quite the opposite. Because the person chosen to put pressure on Radunovic was not a young man to be developed nor even a second expert without too many ambitions. To take a position alongside him and ready to seize the first useful opportunity Scuffet, a former child prodigy who ended up almost forgotten in the minor leagues of Eastern Europe, was brought back to Italy. First Cyprus, then Romania, despite a leading promotion with Spezia which, however, did not guarantee him a return to the front line in his native Udine. Apoel Nicosia in the Mediterranean island, CFR Cluj beyond the Balkans. University city where you can relearn the meaning of tranquility and feeling appreciated. With the idea, never put aside, of one day relaunching himself in Italy and demonstrating that that boy not even of age who amazed in Friuli – until he came very close toAtletico Madrid – it wasn’t a meteor.
Decisive
It is not yet known whether the draw of the Cagliari against the Lecce on the last day of the championship, when the final calculations will be made, will it be decisive in the race for salvation or, on the contrary, will it become a source of regret for two apparently lost points. The certainty is that if the rossoblù still emerged undefeated from the home match against the Salento team it is because Scuffet he did his thing and more. Decisive savesa little luck – like when Dossena helped him on the attempt to Pierotti – and certainly a lot of reliability and calm. With the defense that already before the arrival of Mina in January he benefited from his inclusion between the posts to regain his lost serenity. The opportunity made the man thief, with Scuffet able to be ready after the first cracks in the performances of Radunovic. A first taste that raised some doubts, the goals conceded against Rome, Salernitana And Frosinone and show a rusty goalkeeper and with the question that hovered in the environment: are you sure that the Friulian is really more reliable than the Serbian despite everything? But if for an outfield player continuity is a fundamental aspect to perform at his best, for a fullback this aspect is even more important. Getting used to the match, understanding with the department, communication, harmony. And time proved Scuffet right who, little by little, gave the expected signals proving to be a reliable element and making the entire defensive department feel more protected. If on the one hand the complicated calendar at the start of the season makes the comparison ungenerous, on the other hand the data is so striking that it cannot be set aside. With Radunovic an average of 0.29 points per gamewith Scuffet Of 1.11. But not only that, because if for the Serbian the mistakes that cost him positive results are still in his memory – Bologna, Atalanta, Milan, Florentine – and such as to force Ranieri to return to his own steps in defense of his goalkeeper, there are no memories of the Friulian’s shortcomings which forced Cagliari to leave points along the way. Indeed, the match against Lecce – but not only that, just think of the draw against Inter – confirmed that Scuffet not only did not take away, but even gave points to the rossoblù.
Dream and reality
Now the final straightstarting right from Milan, the Rossoneri side, where Scuffet he recently became the protagonist of one leading performance against the Italian champions. A straight line in which the ’96 class from Udine will be fundamental, because the defense of Cagliari – despite a substantial improvement – he has never left his goalkeeper idle and is unlikely to do so in the near future. A salvation to be grasped without ifs or buts, and then continue on one’s path personal collection in that Italian football that forced him to emigrate after praising him when he was still a minor. With the national dream never fading, even if the competition sees him behind and with practically no chance of being part of the Euro 2024 expedition. Donnarumma, Vicar, Carnesecchibut also Meret, By Gregory And Provedel. An Italian school historically among the best in the world has returned to producing top-level goalkeepers. Among these is also Scuffet who may have to put his blue dream in the drawer, but who has already won his own personal challenge: that of someone who has reacted to possible oblivion, that of someone who has fought to shake off the label of a promising young person who never realized . Of course, not totally achieving what he expected from that minor who had amazed Serie A, but still confirming its own reliability in his new happy island.
Matteo Zizola
