Fabio Pisacane hits out at Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti after the 1-1 draw, noting ‘if they are worried about playing against us, it is a sign Cagliari are on the right track.’
The Sardinians have on average very little possession this season and that is more of a feature than a bug, as shown by the fact they were leading 1-0 at half-time with just 29 per cent of the ball.
Daniel Maldini celebrated his 25th birthday with the fourth Serie A game in a row on target, but after a couple of Elia Caprile saves on Edon Zhegrova, Juve finally snatched the equaliser through Randal Kolo Muani’s header.
There could’ve been another moments later, this time Kolo Muani volleying the Kerim Alajbegovic cross onto the underside of the bar from close range.
Pisacane proud of Cagliari determination
The first question had to be over the tension that spilled out at the final whistle, with both Spalletti and Pisacane shown red cards.
“It could’ve ended with an embrace, I’m sorry that it went this way, but Spalletti gave the sense yesterday that he felt worried, and this gives a sense of justice to the lads,” Pisacane told DAZN Italia.
“What happened at half-time wasn’t pleasant to see either. At the end of the day, it could’ve ended with a hug, but if in Week 6 Juve are worried they won’t win in Cagliari, it is a sign that we are on the right track.
“Juve deserved the draw, with the potential that they have, they certainly could’ve scored more goals, if it had been the other way round, then they should’ve been really worried.”
The result means Cagliari are still in front of Juventus in the Serie A table after six rounds, having won three in a row before this stalemate at the Unipol Domus.
“What I want to say right now is that we need to keep our tails up and be on alert. I see a team that wants to do something different to previous years. That doesn’t mean staying at the top of the table, but as long as we can stay up there, we’ll give it our all,” added Pisacane.
“When you are under pressure in any game, you need to be organised and suffer. I don’t want to seem arrogant, but against the potential of the Juventus squad, I said if we lost today, I couldn’t complain, because the team played both phases in the way we had prepared.
“I do not coach myself, I coach players, and we had different characteristics in our midfield last season, so we had to do things differently. To now have the quality of Alessandro Romano, of Harry Winks, of Michel Adopo, with debutant Yanis Massolin in a risky situation, this means we want to control the ball better. I am well aware that’s where we need to improve.”
It has been noted that Cagliari have very little possession this season, and only 28 per cent this evening against Juventus, but Pisacane defends their approach.
“At times, people point out the number of shots we allow, but that is well within range for a team of our calibre. We allow shots on goal because we have players ready to throw themselves in the path of anything that comes at them. That is the spirit I like to see.”