Cagliari's first season sees another goal at the end, like two months ago in Bari. This time, however, even later, in the 123rd minute to beat Palermo in the round of 32 of the Italian Cup. «It was a difficult game, because Palermo are a good team who play well and with important qualities», commented Claudio Ranieri after the Domus match. «Up until the first cooling break we did well, even though we didn't engage the opposing goalkeeper, then they put us in trouble with some cut balls and Radunovic did a good job. They started the second half better, then we went out. It was a good game, we didn't need the equalizer in the last minute but it was good that there was a reaction. We managed to win and that's important."
Happy and less happy notes. Ranieri finds interesting ideas from the first two hours of the season, above all given the inevitably still non-optimal condition: «We are in the first real game, I didn't expect some guys to keep 120 minutes. I liked the spirit of revenge, the desire to react and the fact that we were united in the difficult moment in which Palermo was gaining the upper hand». Inevitable, however, as there is something to improve: «I didn't like some small things, but in general it went well. We have to be better at changing play when the opponents counter-attack us, because two-three times they have surprised us in the open field and this shouldn't happen in Serie A».
The singles. Ranieri is happy with Viola taking over: «This year he did all the preparation, when I arrived he wasn't feeling well. He is a precious player, with quality and a sense of position. And he's a squad player." On the new signings: «I'm very satisfied, because we chose them with the lantern, knowing that they can give us a hand in the league. Oristanio has never played in Serie A, Sulemana has only played a few games: they made themselves known to the public. Like Shomurodov, who shouldn't have played: when I saw that Pavoletti had none left, I made the sign of the cross and put it on. He arrived late, he's not even 50% but it's important that he put in a positive performance. Any graft against Turin? In the meantime, let's get them there, then we'll see."