To those who ask him who he will be rooting for in the second leg playoff semi-final between Parma and the Rossoblù, he makes it clear that his heart is not divided at all: «It's obvious that I support Cagliari», he begins. «But Parma is strong and Cagliari must play Cagliari».
Ivo Pulga is the double ex of the Tardini challenge. He conquered Serie A with Cagliari in 1990 , the same year in which the Crociati rose to the top flight for the first time.
"I'm attached to both squares, but the six years as a player and the two as a coach are not forgotten," he says. «Among other things, two fantastic salvations in the final period of the Cellino management».
In six seasons, 174 appearances between Serie A, B and C and six goals. From the hell of the Moi management to the ascent with the Orrùs. In the third series he scored the goal against Ischia which earned the rossoblù mathematical promotion to Serie A, also then coached by Ranieri.
It was the beginning of a fantastic ride which, for him, ended with salvation in Serie A: «In 1991 I was sold to Parma, but I would never have left Cagliari». With the ducals 27 appearances and two seasons: «There I won the Italian Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup. They were two splendid seasons, with a great team. Buffon was in the youth team».
How will the "Tardini" match be compared to the first leg? « I think Parma will attack the rossoblùs from the start, but I'm sure Ranieri will certainly know how to deal with their assaults . He certainly won't take the risks of the first half of the Domus. It will be a match as good as the first: Cagliari have shown that they know how to undermine Pecchia's defense».
Pulga lives in Modena: waiting for a call from some team ("I have no connections and I don't propose myself"), since after the lockdown he has been "a farmer in the lands of a friend". He won't be at the stadium: «The forecasts show bad weather for the whole day, I'll watch it on television».
He doesn't make predictions: «Cagliari have an advantage from the first leg match, but the game is all to be played. Cagliari in the second half on Tuesday has the possibility of going to the final ».