He had said he had experimented with something new and different for Bologna-Cagliari, but Davide Nicola's changes were not enough: a 2-1 defeat arrived , with the decisive negative changes starting with Mattia Felici. "We were less clean in the second half", the coach's analysis. "On the second goal we must recognize the opponent's merits, on the first we were not very clear. This is our improvement step: if we manage to grow in this we can get results". The first half had satisfied him: "I believe in it. These guys play games where no one ever puts them with their backs to the wall. We must be more determined in key situations, to take points even against teams that have their qualities.
Genoa's late equaliser against Empoli means that Cagliari now has a three-point advantage over the relegation zone . "This is not our objective: we need to believe in what we do," Nicola cuts short. "We need to strongly desire, even in difficult moments, the desire to bring home something. Those micro-details need to be improved, which obviously require much more energy and individual work, to make that leap in quality." But Nicola reiterates: "Points can be earned against anyone. In the last few games we have faced Juventus, Atalanta and Bologna, but I want my team to be competitive on any field. You need to be foaming at the mouth in certain situations, but it can be done: "a facci manna" is no longer enough ."
Luvumbo, returning as a starter after almost three months, was out in the 67th minute due to injury . "We haven't talked about it yet, but he has shown the characteristics to be able to worry Bologna," said Nicola. "I had also thought about putting Pavoletti, but I wanted someone who could play between the lines to get Piccoli moving. But I need to get Gaetano back." Who is confident, however: "I may be a dreamer, but I believe in my guys. It's not just a lack of brilliance at times, but also the ability of the opponent. It's not easy to face certain opponents and manage to subdue them."
Cagliari will be back on the field on Friday at 20:45 against another rossoblù team, Genoa at the Domus. A match where Nicola hopes to see the improvements that are so requested: « We need to insist on qualities that we can improve, that's what we'll have to work on this week ».