«We don't know whether we will go to Reggio Emilia to celebrate or not. We know we're going to play a strong game. As in Bari, we are aware of having an island behind us. And I expect a great performance from my team."

Smiling and in an excellent mood, he would talk for hours in the press room of the "Crai Sport Center" in Assemini, as long as the topic wasn't training or the game system. «Why on earth should I give an advantage, even if small, to my opponent?» . Claudio Ranieri has seen a lot in his career, but certain challenges still excite and exalt him today.

" Cagliari is there, they're ready ," he throws down the gauntlet. «We left Milan behind us where we competed but the others were better than us. And we arrive at this match with Sassuolo recharged, both physically and mentally ." And to further unite in a crucial moment like this, «before yesterday's training at the stadium», the rossoblù coach himself revealed at the end of the conference, « the team asked me to go into training camp as early as this evening ». And so it will be.

Makoumbou and Jankto are still out , all the others are available. «And this allows me to have more solutions during the match, like in the first leg when I tried them all to win». Mina? «If you saw him go for a jog and then go out, it means he's fine . I would be worried if he made two", jokes Ranieri, thus underlining the fact that the Colombian defender in training has to manage the various ailments he suffers in an almost surgical way and, at the same time, his importance for the tactical and mental balance of the team squad.

On Captain Pavoletti , however, he is keen to point out: « He always has this problem with his foot. If I ever need him, I hope, he will be there ."