Cagliari coach Fabio Pisacane has defended his squad’s performance and long-term project following a 2-1 defeat against Lazio, marking the team’s fourth loss.
The Disputed Lazio Goal
The match turned on a controversial second goal for Lazio, which occurred while Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Deiola was on the ground after being struck in the face by the ball. Referee Colombo opted not to stop play.
Gustav Isaksen è il Panini Player of the Match di #LazioCagliari 🏆#SerieAEnilive pic.twitter.com/FymEIsBTz3
Pisacane declined to criticize the officiating in his post-match comments. "The episode speaks for itself, but I would avoid controversy," he said. He added that he remains convinced of the referees’ good faith and prefers to focus on the team’s performance, which he believes ultimately determined the outcome. Pisacane intends to "leave the referee in peace" regarding the incident.
Assessing the Cagliari Performance
Despite the losing streak, Pisacane expressed satisfaction with the team’s intensity. He noted that the squad displayed a spirit that had been missing in recent matches, specifically citing the periods following the Monza game and the final minutes of the match against Roma.
"When you see your team fighting like this, on a pitch like this, there is little to change," Pisacane stated. He observed that the players never lost their focus, describing the team as "alive" and having recovered the energy they lacked in previous outings.
Cagliari Manager Commits to Youth Development Project
The Cagliari manager emphasized that the club is committed to a technical project centered on developing young talent. The team finished the match with several young players on the pitch, including Trepy, Mendy, and Kofler.
"We have finished the match with many young people on the field; this is not an alibi but a technical project," Pisacane told ANSA. He remains optimistic about the team’s ability to reach its goals, noting that while the team needs to secure points, the current direction is the right one.
Questions Regarding the Cagliari Squad
Why did Winks not feature in the match against Lazio?
Winks did not play because he had only recently recovered from an injury. Pisacane noted that while Winks is a fundamental player, the rest of the squad performed well in his absence.
How is the team handling the current four-game losing streak?
Pisacane stated that the team remains calm and lucid, avoiding the imposition of frustration on the players. He believes the squad has the necessary means to return to winning form and maintain the balance required for growth.
What was the coach’s reaction to Gattuso’s success?
Pisacane expressed happiness for Gennaro Gattuso’s current first-place standing. He remarked to ANSA that he had hoped Gattuso might leave some points for Cagliari, but described him as one of the "purest" people in the sport.
Pisacane is working to ensure the team returns to getting results, noting they have all the means to do so after recovering the energy missing since before the match against Monza.
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