Assemini. This time last year, he appeared in the press room as a rookie with a slew of unknowns looming. Now, he's already secured safety with 43 points and the satisfaction of having beaten Roma, Juventus, Atalanta, and Milan. "My job isn't to defend the past, but to build Cagliari's future," Fabio Pisacane immediately clarified in the press conference where he cut the ribbon on the new season, even in front of the cameras and its spotlights, after having done so on the pitch with the team for over a week. "The goal is always to stay in the league," the rossoblù coach from the Crai Sport Center in Assemini stated. "Then it's clear that we want to raise the bar, but without making promises or talking about the standings. As always, I want the pitch and the work to do the talking. We want to take Cagliari as high as possible, that's for sure."

A positive first assessment on the eve of the departure for Ponte di Legno. "I'm satisfied with what we've accomplished these past few days despite the intense heat," Pisacane emphasizes. "We have an incredible work ethic and a strong mentality." He's also pleased with the transfer market so far. "I'm pleased because we immediately replaced the most vulnerable area, the midfield. Winks, Fazzini, Romano, and Akarakiri have quality and will fill in admirably for those who have left." He then adds: "In defense, we're waiting for Mina, and Deiola can be a sure thing at the back as well." And again: "During this retreat, I have to make some assessments, for example on Raterink and Grandu, but also on those players who may seem like they're on their way out right now, but who could perhaps stay and be key players."

It's a different story for the attack: "Here I'd like a gift." No names, needless to say. "The sporting director and the scouting team are doing everything they can to please me. But there's no rush, especially since I already have some players I'd like to evaluate better during the training camp. Kingstone scored 16 goals in Austria, Mendy and Trepy stood out last year, and Borrelli scored five goals on his Serie A debut." The profile of the next striker? "He needs to be a striker with different qualities than those we already have. Perhaps a more complete striker, one who allows me to link the game together and who is also a sniper in the penalty area." Perhaps that could have been the case with the best Belotti, to whom Pisacane sends a warm thought after his contract was not renewed due to physical issues: "I'm so sorry for him, I hope he gets back to doing what he loves soon." On Felici and Idrissi: "They'll be our extra weapons." Finally, on goalkeeper Caprile: "Today he's a Cagliari player, he's happy, he's back with a smile. He's a senator, a leader. I hope he doesn't knock on my door telling me he wants to move elsewhere, but I don't think that's going to happen. In the meantime, he's ours, I'm enjoying him, and I hope that when the championship starts, Caprile will be between the posts."