Verona-Cagliari isn't a match like any other; it's a direct clash. "It's the third final in these first eight matchdays," Rossoblu coach Fabio Pisacane bared his teeth ahead of Sunday's match at the Bentegodi. "We're playing a championship within a championship," he was keen to point out in the press conference held at the Crai Sport Center in Assemini.
"Therefore, we need energy and determination. And we need to channel this energy into what we need to build. I repeat, this is the first leg of a third final. How do you prepare? Like all other matches, by taking care of the details."
Morale is high at the Rossoblu headquarters despite the absences. Belotti's injury isn't the only reason. In addition to Radunovic, Di Pardo, and Pintus, Mina and Deiola have also been forced to sit out the match, hoping to recover for Thursday's match against Sassuolo.
Pisacane himself explains: "Mina is carrying a hamstring strain. Deiola had a problem on the eve of the Bologna match. We tried to manage it, but we realized that, as with Yerry, we shouldn't rush things. Having them in the mix isn't good for anyone, especially them."
Pisacane emphasized Verona's strength: "Their standings don't reflect their performances." He then focused on the final twenty minutes against Bologna, which he really couldn't stomach: "They kept me awake at night. I took on a responsibility when I became Cagliari's coach, and those twenty minutes didn't represent us. We were passive, lacking the energy and desire to give our all. You also have to know how to lose; you can't just switch off."
Redemption passes through Verona on Sunday starting at 3pm.
