" If we look at the numbers, Cagliari is in a position in the standings that does not reflect them. The production of the game is worth the top of the class and what we concede is little, but it is not enough to do things well, at a certain point you need more practicality, hunger and nastiness to bring the episodes to your side ."
Davide Nicola is not here to talk about a crisis, despite the three defeats in a row that have caused the rossoblù to fall to third-last place in the standings.
And on the eve of Cagliari-Inter he also talks about the match in Venice: «We went for the three points, and I don't think we've ever dominated the first half like this . But when you play half an hour like this you have to do badly. We also did well defensively, but we suffered in the only situation». The problem, in short, lies in the «key episodes», both in the defensive and offensive phases, that Cagliari «can't bring to their side» .
Against Inter a prohibitive challenge? " We are facing the best team in the championship but we will try to get points. We need a spirited, clear-headed, attentive, aggressive game, without stopping to try to play but doing it with attention and understanding the key moments of the match ."
The Nerazzurri are a team "consolidated in their men and in their game, very good at building, at encouraging you to go and get them to play cat and mouse, we have to be very skilled. They are able to manage the ball and attack the depth with disarming ease, they know each other by heart ".
Tomorrow's match "must ignite the energy, it must be gratifying to think that to get the result you have to go further, do the things you have always done but with a different speed . The boys will do everything, you need quality and quantity, and the ability to read the most propitious moment".
Luvumbo aside , for the challenge scheduled for Saturday at 6pm at the Domus they are "all fit and ready" .
Knowing how to read the moments and knowing how to turn them in your favor with hunger, malice and determination. Nicola pushes on this key, because the match in Venice "wasn't bad", and "losing it like this should make you nervous" .
There is a step to take, in short, «but we must consider that we do not have all the players ready. Many are now starting to feel the responsibility of playing a full championship as starters. We must be patient, work hard, and have faith. We are putting in excellent performances but we must understand that sometimes the game gets dirty, that a ball that arrives in the area can be the decisive one for the result ». And there is also a bit of bad luck, if « out of 17 games, 6 times the opposing goalkeeper was the best on the pitch , but in the long run these things balance each other out».
Individuals. Pavoletti : «Great professionalism, he is always useful and has the mentality to help his teammates grow. A resource for the team, whether he is a starter or starts from the bench, indeed, when he comes on during a match and some tactical situations have fallen through he can do even better ». The entire squad was called into action, except for Jakub Jankto, zero minutes this season: «Not for quality, but for characteristics» , explains the rossoblù coach.
Finally, on the three-quarters. «Marin? He can play anywhere, and often plays as an attacking midfielder even when he starts as a midfielder. Gaetano? He could have scored three or four goals for the chances he had, but I am convinced that he will do them. He still has to complete his growth, like Viola, Zortea, Luvumbo, Piccoli ».