Cagliari Boss Pisacane Hails Team's Resilience After Crucial Win
Cagliari head coach Fabio Pisacane has praised his team's resilience and tactical discipline following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cremonese, a result that bolsters the club's survival hopes. The win, secured by a single goal, was described by the manager as a victory earned through collective sacrifice and a clear game plan.
Speaking after the match, Pisacane emphasized the importance of the three points, stating that the team's primary objective of Serie A survival has not yet been achieved. "We are happy to have gotten back to winning ways," Pisacane said, according to reports. "We are happy with a match where the team did everything to avoid conceding and knew how to suffer when needed." The coach highlighted the squad's application of a precise tactical plan, which included a key second-half substitution.
A notable tactical choice was the decision to start forward Zé Pedro on the bench. Pisacane explained this was a deliberate move, describing the player as a significant energy resource to be deployed in the latter stages. "We knew we could win the game while it was in progress," Pisacane explained, outlining a strategy to manage the physical output of players like Alessandro Deiola, Marco Mancosu, and Nicolò Barella, who were tasked with high-intensity roles.
The manager reserved special praise for young forward Sebastiano Esposito, whose recent performances have been crucial. While acknowledging the 21-year-old's immense talent, Pisacane also noted the need for guidance. "He is one of the most talented players we have, but he is young, and like all young players, he needs support, and sometimes, a firm hand," Pisacane stated, referencing a mix of encouragement and discipline in the player's development.
The victory was met with a mixed reception at the Unipol Domus, with some whistles from the home support at halftime. Pisacane, however, chose to focus on the positive reaction at the final whistle. He redirected attention to the "six finals" that lie ahead in Cagliari's battle to avoid relegation, emphasizing that the team must now focus on the challenges ahead. The win provides a vital boost, but Pisacane was clear that the job is far from over, with the team needing to "scrape the barrel of all our possibilities" in the remaining fixtures to secure their top-flight status.
