12.45 At 1pm the Cagliari coach, Claudio Ranieri, will present Sunday’s match against Lecce to the press. After the heavy defeat in Genoa, attention has returned to the guard level, so it will be necessary to get the three points against the Salento team.
1.00pm The conference begins.
What is the situation of the injured?
“They are recovering. Some have only recovered today, I’ll see tomorrow. Nandez, Dossena and Oristanio are a little better, Mina a little less. What has Genoa left behind? It was a freezing shower. It was needed, because after a series of matches nice, the opponent ate us. Against Lecce it will be a Verona-style match, a very difficult opponent to face.”
What did you say to the team after the defeat in Genoa?
“Which we can lose, but it’s time to give our best, because it’s almost time for the end. Mina? We missed her so much.”
Is Petagna recovering?
“Yes, Pavoletti too. Mancosu is also starting to race again. They are all positive flashes.”
In what sense is the match similar to the one played against Verona?
“There are opponents who play in a determined manner. Lecce have won more individual duels in Serie A. They are an enterprising team. There will be difficulties, and they will try to win, as they did against Verona.”
What changed from D’Aversa to Gotti on a tactical level?
“Now they play with the 4-4-2, first with three strikers. The players help each other, and Gotti has given serenity. Among the teams fighting for survival, it is the one that has scored the most points in the last few days”.
Why did he give up Sulemana and Makoumbou in Genoa?
“I also had other elements that I had seen well. I made choices to maximize my efforts. I wouldn’t have wanted Nandez to play because he had a fever. Every choice was weighed.”
What will salvation mean to you?
“That I have done well in the 5 major championships, that I have managed to bring so many people to the stadium. I certainly make my mistakes, I hope to make fewer and fewer of them.”
How do you see Lapadula?
“He’s getting better and better. Today he had an excellent training session. The more players I have available, the less opportunity I have to make mistakes. When they’re not well, the discrepancies are more noticeable.”
Will there be a 4-man defense on Sunday?
“Probably. But even the threesome isn’t to be ruled out.”
1.13pm End of the conference.