Cagliari head coach Fabio Pisacane has insisted his team's Serie A survival destiny remains in their own hands ahead of a crucial Monday night fixture against Atalanta. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Pisacane addressed his squad's position, five points clear of the relegation zone with 33 points, and the challenge posed by an Atalanta side under the guidance of Raffaele Palladino.
Pisacane emphasized the need for mental fortitude from his players following recent setbacks. "When you have a five-point advantage over the third-bottom team, the destiny is in your hands," he stated. "The matches are getting shorter. It is normal and right to work and stay calm. We are focused on what concerns us; if we get points we have to worry little." He pinpointed concentration lapses as a key issue, referencing goals conceded early and late in recent defeats to Sassuolo and Inter.
The Cagliari boss also provided a squad update, confirming that forwards Idrissi and Felici remain out, joined by striker Leonardo Pavoletti and midfielder Alessandro Mazzitelli. He noted a positive development in attack, however, with other forwards returning to full fitness. On the form of striker Francesco Esposito, Pisacane praised his work ethic, saying, "He is a striker and regardless of the game you want to play he remains a striker. He is prone to sacrifice even when he is not asked to."
Turning to the opposition, Pisacane acknowledged the threat posed by an Atalanta team still reeling from a Coppa Italia semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Lazio. "Exclusion from the Cup always depends on how you react to disappointment," he said. "They can have a backlash or have energy. Since Palladino's arrival they have had continuity. Compared to the first leg, even in analyzing La Dea, I see them as a more mature team." Atalanta manager Palladino has previously warned his squad to expect an "inflamed" atmosphere at the Unipol Domus.
The match represents a critical juncture for Cagliari's season. A positive result would significantly bolster their survival bid, while a defeat could drag them back into a tense relegation scrap with only a handful of games remaining. Pisacane's focus on the psychological aspect underscores the high-pressure environment, with his team needing to convert their numerical advantage into points on the pitch to secure their top-flight status for another year.
