Cagliari, you miss Mina and Luperto: numbers and causes of the collapse

Defensive solidity lost, Cagliari lost. In the last month, Sant’Elia Caprile hasn’t been enough for the rossoblù to avoid a clear collapse in terms of goals conceded, often also due to repeated errors, particularly in marking from a standing start and in retreating. In the last five Serie A matches, Fabio Pisacane’s Sardinians have conceded nine goals: two against Inter, Bologna, Verona and Sassuolo, one against Udinese. And the Friulians are the only team that did worse in the league from the end of September to the end of October with 10 goals conceded. Goals which, as mentioned, without several miracles from the former Napoli goalkeeper would have been many more.

Without Mina

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A clear decline compared to the first four matchdays in which Cagliari conceded only three goals, the third best defense of the period in Serie A behind Milan (2) and Roma (1). It is no coincidence that in the first four rounds the rossoblù collected 7 points and in the last month with the defensive collapse just two (only Genoa with a point scored in the standings in the same period did worse). A dangerous step backwards made even more evident by the three defeats in a row in the last three home games. A loss of defensive certainty resulting among other things from Yerry Mina’s injury, with the Colombian center back and rossoblù leader having been battling various muscle ailments for some time and missing the last two games. Against Sassuolo on the last day he was at least on the bench and Pisacane’s hope is to be able to start him in the next away match against Lazio.

The Luperto case

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The strangest and thorniest case, however, is the one that leads to Sebastiano Luperto, on paper an essential starter for this team. In reality, in the last period Pisacane relegated him to the bench. Only one appearance in the last four days. Without him Cagliari conceded five goals in three games. Something seems to have broken between him and the coach, with several rumors circulating among the fans about possible arguments. Rumors that must be taken as such. With full-back Gabriele Zappa immediately dotting the i’s: “I’ve never seen a healthier locker room than this one, we’re a very united group.” When questioned on the topic after Sassuolo, Pisacane was quite clear: “Some of his performances, compared to his standard, were a bit subdued. But we are waiting for him, for us Luperto is a fundamental player and I hope to have him one hundred percent back as soon as possible.” A question of performance and condition therefore, with the test of the double away match against Lazio and Como in the championship becoming a more than delicate moment of the season and one not to be missed. Otherwise the rossoblù will definitively be sucked into the last positions. A stalemate phase which was nevertheless useful in trying to develop or include the various Ze Pedro, Adam Obert (disqualified at the Olimpico) and Ryad Idrissi (who is already liked by several clubs in Serie A) in the project. However, to get back to scoring points and avoid losing the initial enthusiasm, clarity, unity and above all solidity will be needed. Maybe by putting two totems like Mina and Luperto back in the center of the Sardinian village.