Football Season Guide

The past season was a particularly positive one for Cagliari as they managed achieving salvation with plenty to spare despite returning from a year spent in Serie B. However, life for coach Massimo Rastelli was never very easy as the team played some good matches at home while being utterly hopeless when travelling. What is even more worrying is that they always seemed incapable of stopping the haemorrhage of goals. They conceded 76 times last season which was one of the worst defences in the league. Rastelli was confirmed as the manager for the third year in a row and he will be expected to improve their defensive performances in order to reach another quiet safety. The summer saw several players leaving Sardinia for pastures new and a few of them were actual protagonists of the past salvation. This is certainly the case of Mauricio Isla, a versatile player who has never been able to return to the form he had with Udinese. Nicola Murru and Bruno Alves also departed from the defence. Davide Di Gennaro, who at some point was no longer considered due to contractual reasons, and Panagiotis Tachtsidis, who has never really displayed all his potential, also left. Following such departures, Cagliari had to strengthen themselves in all departments. Alessio Cragno, who returns after a successful campaign at newly-promoted Benevento, is expected to earn himself a starting spot in goal and to give the team the security which they lacked in the past season. At some stages, there was a sort of merry-go-round with several players alternating between the sticks. Marco Andreolli, who has had little chance to play since leaving Chievo Verona back in 2013, could join Fabio Pisacane or Diego Ceppitelli in the heart of defence with the former also contending with Simone Padoin at right-back. Senna Miangue was acquired from Inter on a permanent deal to play at left-back. Filippo Romagna, on loan from Juventus after a successful campaign with Cesena, is set to become a key player over time. Luca Cigarini arrived from Sampdoria, where he was not one of the main protagonists and he will be given the keys to the midfield. He will be expected to provide both muscle and shape, things Cagliari lacked in the past campaign. Nicolo Barella and Artur Ionita, who is back from a serious injury, will also be acting in the midfield while Daniele Dessena and Alessandro Deiola should provide some decent cover. The attack is the sole department which was not touched with the likes of Joao Pedro, Diego Farias, Marco Sau and, most of all, Marco Borriello all ready to fight for the starting spots. Meanwhile, Niccolò Giannetti and Federico Melchiorri will have less first team opportunities.