It will be a sad and melancholy party the one tomorrow evening at the Unipol Domus for the last match of the championship. The triumphalist tones for salvation will leave room for the prevailing disappointment at the unexpected farewell of the father of the resurrection and reconquest of Serie A, Claudio Ranieri. A heartfelt greeting from tomorrow to his Cagliari, to his fans, to the city and to the whole of Sardinia. What will happen tomorrow, has a preview this afternoon in thelast workout with open doors at the Unipol Domus, with 4,500 fans present in the north and south corners, the latter opened at the last moment to cope with the onslaught of fans. A sea of rossoblù hearts who don’t want to miss a single moment of the final remnants of the leader Sir Claudio at the helm of the team, but also morally of the club for which he has always given everything, even at the risk of damaging the golden image that had been created on his person since he accomplished the miracle of rising from Serie C to Serie A from 1988 to 1991, in just three championships, with salvation achieved in the top category. He took a risk, but once again he won, on all fronts, receiving the respect and affection of his players (and of his opponents) and the love and gratitude of the rossoblù people.
The boss’s farewell to Cagliari, and probably to active football, could only be the topic that since yesterday evening at 8pm, when the club made Sir Claudio’s farewell official, has taken center stage not only in the circles of the rossoblù fans, but everywhere in the city and in the island. In the streets, in the central squares, in the shops, in the offices, in the schools, nothing else was talked about. The San Benedetto market, the beating heart of typhus, was astonished this morning. An unusual silence between the pits, the sellers and the customers. His head was elsewhere, at a farewell that burns inside. There was no man or woman, young or old, fan or not, who did not express his displeasure and even pain for Sir Claudio who is leaving Cagliari and the city. That city and those people who have had him back at home since January 6, 2023, like someone from home. Seeing him walking in the streets of the center arm in arm with his wife, respected by everyone in his private life and outside of him, was a constant. A fleeting glance of admiration, at most a greeting (“Hi mister”), but never anyone who allowed himself to disturb the moments dedicated to family affection. Something that he liked a lot and that tied him even more to the people of Cagliari. Admiration, affection and respect. Almost like Gigi Riva, but he is the god on earth for the city and Sardinia. But after Gigi, only Claudio. Now comes the problem of the aftermath. Which will not be easy for anyone, much less for those who will replace the coach: team, club and fans will have to live with the memory and thought of “one of us” who is leaving, but who will always remain present in all those who they will continue to love a great coach and above all a great man.
Luciano Onnis
