In the city, expectation is perceived by the details. From the anxiety of the fans, mainly. And – without hiding it – some shopkeepers display confidence. Even – right in the center – by displaying bottles of prosecco with the club crest and red and blue glasses in the window.
Certainly the proof that all of Cagliari will take the field with Lapadula and his companions comes from the box office: "We are just a handful of tickets away from being sold out ", the club said. Surely we are sold out for tomorrow's playoff at the Domus against Venice.
It is a fact that Cagliari believes in its team and in its possibilities.
Stefano Arrica , entrepreneur, son of the manager who created the Cagliari champion of Italy in 1970, will not be at the stadium: "Unfortunately, for the first time this year, I will not be able to take a seat in the stands because I am presenting my book at San Teodoro". He says. «But I will be present with my heart. We have to win. there are no alternatives or remedies. But I'm confident: as far as motivations are concerned, the team is not that of last year, nor that of the beginning of the season». Even Gianfranco Pilloni , entrepreneur, grand master of the Umsoi grand lodge of Italy, recovering after a bad accident, will not be able to be present at the stadium: "But only for health reasons," he explains. «Cagliari deserves to go to Serie A, like all the Sardinian people. I hope he wins because he has to dispel the Venice taboo. I sincerely hope that the playoffs will be played well and that Sardinia will return to where it should return».
Instead, there will be Maurizio Ciaccio , owner and deus ex machina of a historic fashion and entertainment agency: «Cagliari must win and can do it. Of the teams participating in the playoffs, it is the strongest. The physical form is there: if they have the head, they should make it». Alberto Bortolotti , head of the Confcommercio of South Sardinia shares the same opinion: «I have great faith in the team, led by an extraordinary coach, and made up of some athletes whose cleanliness and professionalism I admire. I refer in particular to the bomber Gianluca Lapadula. I trust in the attachment to the shirt shown so far and in the technical qualities. In any case, the momentum of victories that preceded the playoffs gives me hope». Super fan Milena Masala can't wait to take a seat at the Domus: «I'm agitated, but very confident. With Ranieri we can fly higher and higher. And then it all started from Venice: it is precisely with the lagoon residents that we must exorcise this nightmare and open up another era. Tomorrow will be the third from last step for Cagliari, we hope to overcome it».
Then the politicians. Francesco Agus , group leader of the Progressives in the regional council has no doubts: «In my opinion we can do it, I don't want to question it. And then there's the edge on the bench: our champion is there». Finally Edoardo Tocco , president of the municipal council of Cagliari: «It won't be an easy game. If the team thinks with the ratio of the last few games, we should do it. It is everyone's hope, also in light of the imminent services conference that we will hold on the stadium with the Region. Table that we hope will be definitive: a possible promotion would certainly speed up many things».