The victory has been missing since March 30, 3-0 against Monza with a glorious recovery. Then the 0-0 in Empoli, a challenge of fear (of losing), and the defeats against Inter and Fiorentina. But for Cagliari, despite the slowdown and the success expected for a month, the race for salvation is not so complex. With five days still to play, the rossoblù have as many points of advantage over the relegation zone: Davide Nicola's team is at 30, Venezia and Empoli are tied at 25. With Lecce in the middle, stuck at 26 in a week marked by the tragic death of the physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita .
Starting tomorrow in Verona, the real final rush begins for Cagliari. And it starts without Roberto Piccoli, who scored the match-winning goal in the 1-0 first leg on November 29 but was suspended for the match at the Bentegodi , but also without Yerry Mina who is injured. Two key players, who will not be easy to replace. The standings, with Monza now doomed (15 points, -11 from the fourth-last), see six teams looking for the four safety spots: Verona 32, Parma 31, Cagliari 30, Lecce 26, Venezia 25, Empoli 25. With, in the event of a tie between the third-last and fourth-last teams, the play-off already seen two years ago between Spezia and Hellas.
For Cagliari, three away games and two home games. It starts at the Bentegodi, then on Saturday at 3 pm the home match with Udinese (they haven't won since March 1st, five consecutive defeats and now without any more objectives), then the away game in Como (waiting for the date) and the last one at home with Venezia (possible direct clash). Closing at the Maradona with Napoli, on May 25th: a match that, given that the Neapolitans are now tied on points with Inter in the lead, could be decisive for the title .
The calendar of direct competitors is not very simple . Verona is in the best position (14th) and with a +7 that seems very much like a mortgage, but will have three direct clashes: tomorrow Cagliari, Lecce at home in the third-last place, Empoli away in the last place. In between the challenge at the Meazza with Inter (Saturday 3 May at 20:45) and the home one with Como. Parma pulled out with the 1-0 against Juventus, after five draws in a row, it has not lost since 1 March and is in good health. Tomorrow at 20:45 it will be the guest of Lazio, then it hosts Como already safe. But the ending is thrilling: potential direct clash in Empoli, home match with Napoli, away in Bergamo with Atalanta.
Under Cagliari, three are at risk . Lecce have not won since January 31, 1-3 in Parma, then three points in ten games. Tonight at 8:45 pm they play in Bergamo with a heavy heart, and would have preferred the postponement, Saturday at 6 pm they host Napoli. Then a direct clash in Verona, the last at home with Torino and another away game at the Olimpico to play with Lazio. Who could have the Champions League in their sights. Marco Giampaolo's men have a one-point advantage over the relegation zone, but they are certainly not at their best.
Venezia seemed doomed, then they got back up with five points in the three direct clashes. Milan at home (today at 12.30), Torino away (Friday 2 May at 20.45) and Fiorentina at home are the matches that precede the away match in Cagliari, the last one is with Juventus . For Empoli the situation is very complicated: they haven't won since 8 December. They were the initial surprise of Serie A, then they collapsed and now they have the derby in Florence (today at 15), Lazio at home (Sunday 4 May at 12.30) and three lower-ranking matches with Parma (at home), Monza (away) and Verona (at home).
Cagliari, to reach the goal, could only need two or three points given the direct clashes and the other teams' schedule . Not a lot, but they must be earned as soon as possible to avoid suffering in the final stages of the championship. Like last season, where salvation arrived with 90 minutes to spare in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo.
