For Cagliari it is a draw that allows them to start again after the defeat in Monza, even if it certainly does not clearly distance the rossoblù from the relegation zone.
Claudio Ranieri was sure that there would be problems: «I feared Verona, because they play in that way with attackers who stretch you», admits the coach. Who then explains why he changed at half-time: «In the second half, with Viola, we managed to do what we wanted: I'm sorry for Shomurodov who had done very well, but I needed Viola in that position between the lines. I knew that they would always put the ball vertically: I didn't want to accept this challenge and I wanted to bypass their midfield. But we didn't succeed and I preferred to go back to what we know, putting Viola."
The rossoblù move up the table, before the terrible triptych with Atalanta, Inter and Juventus. «We are fine, we are in good physical and mental health. We know that we are going to play three very difficult games and we have to take something."
Worthy point. Cagliari keeps pace, as well as Verona, with other direct competitors Frosinone, Sassuolo and Udinese who in turn achieved a 1-1 draw. «It was very difficult today too: when you can't win it's better not to lose, well done Scuffet for keeping us in the game and thank goodness the second goal was disallowed for offside. We also had the chance to win the match, but I think the draw was fair."
The 1-1 was scored by the former Sulemana, who came on for two minutes and returned after more than two months (last appearance on 26 January, when he was injured against Torino. «He has running, stamina, speed and a shot from outside , except that in his best moment he hurt his ankle. It seemed right to put him in, he had had a very good first round." In view of the next matches Ranieri will not recover the other injured players: "Petagna isn't back yet, when you hurt your soleus, it's a very subtle injury."