A second defeat in a row for Cagliari, the signs are becoming clear. They are safe from relegation and with minds already on the summer break, Triestejust seemed like a hassle.

Players may leave in the summer, there are many issues to be resolved internally, they are probably sick to death of the anxiety that playing for this club involves, so it must have been hard to concentrate.

Travelling half way across Italy to Trieste to play a ‘home game’ against Udinese whose ‘away’ fixture was only around the corner, must have seemed tiresome to say the least.

Crazy Cagliari, who have played with wild desperation and such a siege mentality since January, have now just become apathetic, but who can blame them?

Their future is as secure as it can be considering the turmoil and they can now look forward to having a summer break whilst their agents busy themselves looking for a lucrative alternative to the madness. Some of them may even look forward to sometime in Sardinia, since they have hardly been there in the last couple of months.

The game came and went, Cagliari were not awful they were just beaten by a team who wanted it more, sometimes games can simply come down to that. After the game Cagliari assistant coach Diego Lopez admitted, “We were a bit below par, but these things can happen. We are not finished for the season, as we tried to get the equaliser right to the end and want to maintain 10th place.”

In all honestly they finished with fuel in the tank. Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin did not even bother to mention the ‘Trieste squatters’ saying “I didn’t think we would be fighting for Europe for a third consecutive year. It is a gift we are giving to ourselves. We’re already focused on the next game.”

The situation the Sardinians find themselves in lends itself to speculation that players will leave on mass, none more than Radja Nainggolan. However, he noted that he may be convinced to stay saying that, “I have an excellent relationship with my agent, he’s like a father for me and I have great trust in him. Now is not the time to discuss my future though as there are still four games left and I want to end the season well. Then we’ll see what happens. I don’t necessarily have to leave, I could stay at Cagliari – especially if some external problems here are resolved.”

Perhaps there should be hope with this news, but only a fool could miss what is going on at the club. With Serie A status secured and a mid-table finish ensuring that they are one the success stories of the year they have switched off. Why not you may ask, they have achieved the impossible.

Now maybe they deserve to relax and push the pressure onto the President and the local authorities. Nobody has said they will leave, but at the end of the day, who wants to play for a team with no stadium and a President who is under house arrest? Cagliari maybe apathetic, but who can complain?

Follow Richard Hall on Twitter: @Gentleman_Ultra or his blog The Gentleman Ultra

THE ANGLO-ITALIAN CUP

What a great competition. Why not start a campiagn to bring it back. Maybe its just me but I would love to see the bottom tiers of both divisons battle it out again

This season could have seen Hellas Verona v Preston, Charlton v Bari or Foggia v Notts County.

Im sure that the fans of these teams would not object to a day out at Wembely or the Stadio Olimpico.

Previous winners include: Roma, Genoa, Newcastle Utd, Blackpool, Swindon, Brescia, Notts County and Cremonese!

ANGLO ITALIAN CUP 1970-73 then 1992-1996……….2013? Its time!!

#angloitaliancupbringitback

It’s been a testing week for Cagliari, even more so than usual. In a normal week they expect to be told they are playing somewhere else for their home games and that their President has been up to something an evil genius would be proud of.

The plus side is that since the New Year they have still been getting results, however, in Naples this week they were beaten in the 94th minute and then of all things mocked on Twitter afterwards, what cheek.

Napoli beat Cagliari 3-2 in an enthralling game that saw some superb goalkeeping, some superlative finishes and a very dramatic end to the match that saw Lorenzo Insigne snatch the game for the home side in the dying embers of the game.

Ivo Pulga was genuinely distraught at the end of the game saying that “It was a perfect performance up until 30 seconds from the end, despite missing some key players. It’s absurd that I was sent off when on the 1-1 there were 10 Napoli players complaining.”

It wasn’t just the Cagliari staff who thought that the game could have gone either way. Walter Mazzari (with last years 6-3 win in his mind) knew that this game wasn’t go to be easy and he was right.

“We struggled today, as Michael Agazzi was phenomenal in goal,” he said. ”Edi Cavani had two or three scoring opportunities and got a bit anxious when they wouldn’t go in. We ran a huge risk and could’ve thrown points away today, but the team put in a great performance and thankfully it went well. Cagliari are an impressive side and their recent results confirm that”

With any other team the game would end and that would be that but this as we know this is Cagliari and right on cue came the fall out. Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis wrote on his Twitter account: “I dedicate this victory to Cellino, Astori and Nainggolan.”

The comment itself was aimed at insulting Massimo Cellino after he rejected his offers for Radja Nainggolan and Davide Astori last year. Cagliari immediately issued a statement on the official club website saying “Cagliari Calcio expected more from De Laurentiis than this poor taste tweet, but that is evidently a quality the Partenopei President does not possess.”

On top of all of this, Cagliari have also had another appeal rejected in relation the game against Roma. The game originally scheduled for September was called off after fans attended on the advice of President Cellino even after there had been warnings about public safety at the Is Arenas. The authorities have now penalised the Sardinians for creating a ‘situation’ and they have now lost the game 3-0.

As the season draws to a close, Cagliari are playing good football, they are safe, have good coaching staff and have a core of superb players. Looking to next season is a much more difficult task as players loyalties will be tested as the Presidents and the stadiums future is far from certain. For now however, all they have to do is finish the season strong and more importantly, stay off Twitter.

Follow me on Twitter @Gentleman_Ultra

Have a listen to my ramblings about Cagliari on Forza Italian football with host Drew Farmer and me Richard Hall

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/04/podcast-cagliari-club-focus/

The Gentleman Ultra Richard Hall phones into the Club Focus to give me, host Drew Farmer, a rundown of the drama that has unfolded on Sardinia so far this season.

We talk about the fantastic talent on display for the Isolani this term and whether or not the likes of Radja Nainggolan, Davide Astori or Mauricio Pinilla will remain with the club next year.

In addition, Richard talks in-depth about the chaos created by team owner Massimo Cellino and gives his thoughts on the club’s ability to continue to overcome the odds next season

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Diego Fuser was the complete winger in the early 1990’s. These were the glory years for Serie A and the flanks were dominated by Fuser whether playing for Torino, Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio, Parma or Roma.

It is testament to his abilities that he managed to play for such a distinguished list of clubs in a career that spreads from 1986 at Torino to the unbelievably the present day where he still plys his trade for Colline Alfieri Don Bosco (an amateur side in Piedmont.)

Strong, athletic, quick and incredibly skillfull Fuser shone as one of the most dangerous wingers in the divison. Most noted for his time at Lazio where he played from 1992-1998 featuring 188 times and scoring 35 goals.

When Calcio ruled the world, Fuser was just getting started!

For the fans of Cagliari it turns out that now every game is an away game. This week they travelled half way across Italy to Trieste to see their team take on Inter. It was a journey that the few who made it would not forget, as in controversial circumstances they emerged victorious.

In fact, it was a Chilean Inter fan, playing for Cagliari who cheated his way to victory in a home game that was closer to Milan than Sardinia, confused?

The Is Arenas had been abandoned due to dubious security issues so it was decided that (similar to the end of last season) the game would be played in Trieste. This farcical event, which is the equivalent of Shamrock Rovers playing their home games at Watford, took place amidst much fist banging and gnashing of teeth.

Cagliari’s Diego Lopez said in his press conference that “Playing on neutral turf is a grotesque situation, as we’re the home side only in a manner of speaking. It is above all a shame for our fans, as they have been made to pay the biggest price for this absurd state of affairs.” Lopez once again making sure he offended as many people as possible, other than the fans, in his latest (justifiable) outburst.

The game itself did not see Cagliari as methodical as they have been at the Is Arenas. Nerves, caused by playing in their new, or should it be classed as ‘end of season surroundings’ took over and Inter were on top first half.

After the break self-confessed Inter fan Mauricio Pinilla decided to take a tumble. “I controlled the ball and changed direction in the box, then when I felt the touch of course I dived,” he said on Sky Sport Italia. You can’t complain about his honesty, well actually you can, but off the pitch he is a decent fellow. Cagliari won 2-0 thanks to a second goal scored later on by Pinilla.

The expectations, after Pinilla spilled the beans, was that he would be dealt a hammer blow from the Italian footballing authorities. They said that “We cannot evaluate with certainty what effects that contact had, to the exclusion of all reasonable doubt. Therefore, the Disciplinary Commission has decided not to take any action against Pinilla.”

Honesty is obviously the best policy, although this is probably an example that should be kept out of reach of small children.

Inter were baffled, annoyed and cursing their terrible luck and a certain Chilean, Andrea Strammacioni mused that “The first half was good considering the emergency situation we are in, as we created three scoring opportunities and Samir Handanovic was never tested.

The key was yet another injury in this cursed campaign, as we lost Walter Gargano. At that time I had pushed Esteban Cambiasso and Mateo Kovacic up to give us more attacking heft and Gargano was the glue. His absence made us lose something in terms of balance.” Injuries have been key to Inter’s demise, however, at least they have a stadium.

Karma is a funny thing and Cagliari seem to be reaping the benefits. Maybe they have discovered footballs Holy Grail? Huge mismanagement, plus gross negligence, divided by a ridiculous stadium situation equals an incredible run of form?

I’m sure there are teams that will disagree but it’s worth remembering that Napoli and Fiorentina are where they are today from a rather similar formula. I doubt that Real Madrid will buy into this, but it’s working for Cagliari.

Follow Richard Hall on Twitter @Gentleman_Ultra.

 Also check out his blog The Gentleman Ultra.

Almost 10 years to the day Genoa 0-2 Sampdoria (April 2003) The Genoa fans were so disgruntled they set the stadium on fire, yikes! Well at least they have not done anything crazy recently like demanding the non deserving players give them their shirts….oh dear!

Serie A week 32 fixtures

Milan v Napoli is one of the ties of the round but its the Genoa derby thats the pick of the week

After defeat in the Derby d’Italia, the Nerazzurri were back to winning ways putting Sampdoria to the sword. The victory showcased a solid defensive display but even more so Rodrigo Palacio’s performance caught the eye. His brace gave the Inter faithful something to cheer about that had been sadly missing in the last weeks.

Palacio said of the victory that “It was important to get back to winning ways. We played well and the result was the most important thing,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “This victory helps us and now we have more confidence going forward, focusing already on Sunday’s difficult game against Atalanta.”

This was something his coach Andrea Strammacioni also echoed when he explained his value to the side ”His was the first name I said to the President in pre-season, the first man we decided to focus on. His season is worth double, he has matured so much and become a leader for this team.”

The level of Palacio’s of importance to Inter may have been bordering on over reliance and it was for this reason that when this morning he was ruled out with a thigh problem, the despair was evident. Diego Milito, Inter’s other main goal threat, has been out with a knee injury and now this fresh injury to Rodrigo will hamper Inter’s European ambitions.

The deep routed concern has obviously rocked the team as was evident in an interview with Alvaro Pereira “It is bad news for us,” he told Sportmediaset. “Things are going to get ever more difficult for us.“But we have to try and take things game-by-game.”  The argument may stand as to why the Milanese outfit are so dependent on two veteran forwards and that it is a sign of their continued decline but there is still no doubt Inter will be worse of for their remaining games.

Next up this weekend is a trip to Atalanta and maybe the fans can hope that the enthusiasm of an ex player from Bergamo could help them through. Ezequiel Schelotto said that “I want to play so much against Atalanta. Many things have been said against me, but in football, sometimes you have to seize your dreams.”

Inter therefore face some tough games between now and the end of the season, Napoli, Lazio a cup semi-final (3-1 down after the first leg) against Roma are but some of the games. The hope will be that this loss will focus the rest of the players and perhaps more leaders will emerge in this difficult time. There is no doubting for instance the recent form of Mateo Kovacic but is he a match winner as yet?

If all fails there will be questions asked again this summer about why once again the Nerazzurri rely too heavily on aged players, especially when they have a superbly talented bunch of youth players well drilled by their former youth coach. Inter it seems will have to put faith in their ‘Dads army’ until the end of the season  but according to various press sources this is nothing new, for they signed Taribo West at 35 didn’t they?

Article by Richard Hall

Follow me on Twitter @Gentleman_Ultra

http://thegentlemanultra.tumblr.com/

If you look up farcical in a thesaurus, then look up incredible and all the related words, then, add all the definitions of determined to the mix and see if there is a common word that relates to all of this. Confusing? Of course it is, however, this is only the tip of the emotional iceberg that is Cagliari.

On the one hand the team as a whole has been nothing but outstanding since the turn of the year. The relegation certainties have been transformed into a dangerous mid table side and with their brand of quick closing down and counter attacking football, the islanders have become a potent force.

It is no secret anymore of the closed door policy that has been imposed on the home fans due to the safety of the stadium and the farcical debacle of the arrested president due to embezzlement, yet, still they perform. How many teams would be able to stage the resurgence of the season whilst playing with their supporters bravely and loyally cheering from outside.

So how has this occurred? Co-coach Diego Lopez gave away a vital clue in the post-match press conference after their victory against Fiorentina when he said, “We have many strikers and they are all talented, so choices are difficult and yet have to be made. Mauricio Pinilla worked hard training. We’ll never get accustomed to playing without a crowd, as it feels almost like a training session.”

Firstly they have strikers who are able to score goals which is key on any relegation dog fight. Secondly they work hard for each other, probably created by the siege mentality they must feel at the moment and thirdly and most importantly they are playing without any pressure.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella also gave away a clue when he said that, “Our tempo was too slow in the first half and our two mistakes allowed Cagliari to break the deadlock. With a little more luck, we could’ve earned a draw that would have been deserved.” Could it be that the slow start was caused by the lack of atmosphere and therefore lack of urgency.

Whatever the circumstances and even if this closed door policy has bizarrely had a good psychological effect the Sardinians have now been dealt another cruel blow and this time from the club itself.

The club sent a letter to the authorities in the town on Tuesday morning informing them of the decision to leave the Stadio Is Arenas, as they want to get the fans back in and they need a safer environment. The stadium could now be dismantled and re-built in another area, but whilst this happened they may have to play in another far flung stadium. Remember last season in Trieste?

The situation undoubtedly needs sorting out but it is interesting that since the troubles the team has shone. Maybe this next debacle will see them climb higher. What does seem to be true is that the team have bonded during this crisis period and knowing the Sardinians it is unlikely that this will be the end of their problems.

Torino 3-5 Napoli

Yes it was that good! Ask Cavani!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymiVFUN3adI

It was a £10m record fee that brought the French international to Milan. Signed from Marseille in 1992 he had predatory instincts and an incredible goal scoring record.

Milan did not reap the rewards from their big money signing as Papin struggled to settle in Italy and was also the unlucky victim of constant injuries. In his two year spell he scored 18 goals in 40 appearances, not a terrible return but it was good enough and in 1994 he departed for Bayern Munich.

Papin still managed to acquire two Scudetto’s and reached two Champions League Finals (he was victorious in one) He was perhaps unlucky in his time at Milan as he was still in the shadow on Marco van Basten and his inability to keep his place in the squad no doubt hampered his consistency.

When Calcio ruled the world Jean-Pierre Papin was still winning whilst at 75%

BOYS SAN

Will Stramaccioni become an ExGen Coach on Thursday?

A torrid week slipped slowly into catastrophic, as first the Nerazzurri were beaten in the Europa League by Tottenham only to have their 105^th Birthday celebrations completely ruined by upstarts Bologna.  Massimo Moratti is suitably unimpressed, Andrea Stramaccioni is fearful for his job and the feeling amongst the player’s runs from apathetic to distraught, with a good bit of blind obedience thrown in.

Some of the players have their soul focus on the second leg against Tottenham “It is an important and great competition, especially now when you have to face very strong opponents, let us hope we can win it,” said Argentinian forward Rodrigo Palacio. Whilst team mate Cambiasso stated that “We entered this competition with the idea of giving it the seriousness it deserves, because it is a title we believe in – we as a team have a lot of desire to do well here.” The situation undeniably is important, nobody argues with that. Like many of the Inter faithful they all ‘wish’ they could win the competition even if the task would have been made easier if Palacio had grabbed the away goal that in fairness, he really should have finished. The problems however, lie somewhat deeper.

The lack of the away goal is a substantial problem however, if the Nerazzurri were hoping that a return result at their own ground would be tough but not impossible, they may now be thinking again. Diego Milito, Walter Samuel, Yuto Nagatomo, Matias Silvestre, Ricky Alvarez, Gaby Mudingayi and Joel Obi are all injured. This is a huge problem as Milito and Alvarez are integral and it could also be argued that so ate Nagatomo and Samuel. Add to this that Tommaso Rocchi, Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Ezequiel Schelotto are all cup-tied and you can see the depth of the problem.

Stramaccioni certainly has a problem on his hands as without even looking at the pros and cons of Tottenham, this Inter side as it will line up would struggle against, well, Bologna coincidently. This is an issue heightened by Moratti’s latest statement when he announced: “Branca said that he and Stramaccioni will remain next season? In truth, he said that the President makes decisions and he is right. I evaluate things on a daily basis. In my view, if results change then everything can stay as it is. I don’t understand why we, especially in the first half of games, can’t express ourselves in the way that we need to.That could be a mental or physical problem. Yesterday we threw away a half of football and that is serious.”

So during the what will certainly be mission impossible against Tottenham the Nerazzurri and in particular Stramaccioni will have one eye on their Presidents reaction. This distraction must surely cause some anguish as various combinations of replacements are being bandied about.  Figo and Baresi, Zenga, Blanc, Mazzarri and even Leonardo in some role. A sensible President will see the game against Tottenham as lost and look towards the next clash against Sampdoria before deciding the fate of his young Coach, but this is Inter.