Cagliari in Retreat to Prepare for Genoa Amidst Transfer Rumors
The atmosphere at Cagliari is tense following their away defeat to Bologna. The team, led by Davide Nicola, is not only reeling from the 2-1 loss but also from their lackluster performance and incorrect attitude on the field.
Against Bologna, Cagliari managed only one shot on target, which resulted in Roberto Piccoli’s temporary lead. After that, they offered little offensively, allowing Bologna to dominate the game and rarely showing the fighting spirit needed until the final whistle. This poor showing follows another weak performance at home against Juventus the previous week, where Juventus secured a victory with minimal effort.
In response to these concerns, President Tommaso Giulini convened an emergency meeting yesterday with sporting director Nereo Bonato, coach Davide Nicola, and team representatives. The unanimous decision was to send the team into retreat at the Crai Center in Assemini. The goal is to regain composure and strengthen team unity ahead of a crucial part of the season. This Friday, Cagliari will face Genoa at Unipol Domus in a critical match where the points at stake are of utmost importance.
Meanwhile, transfer rumors surrounding José Luis Palomino and Yerry Mina have subsided. Both defenders had been linked with moves to South American clubs. Palomino, formerly of Atalanta, was heavily pursued by Argentinian side Talleres, driven by the Argentinian transfer window closing on March 12th and the player’s desire to return to his home country. However, two key factors led Palomino to stay in Sardinia and reject Talleres’ advances, at least for now. Firstly, his contract expires on June 30th, and a renewal seems unlikely, giving him the freedom to choose his next team in due course. Secondly, Davide Nicola’s high regard for Palomino, considering him crucial when called upon, played a significant role. This appreciation resonated with Palomino, motivating him to continue fighting for Cagliari in their quest for Serie A survival.
Regarding Colombian defender Yerry Mina, rumors of a potential early departure have been dismissed by the player himself. In an interview with “Relevo,” Mina stated that he had received offers in recent weeks, including from Brazilian clubs like Mineiro, but he and his family have decided to remain with Cagliari to fight for the club’s objectives until the end of the season. In July, the club and Mina will discuss his future, with a departure still appearing likely despite the player feeling very comfortable in Sardinia.
As mentioned, this Friday’s match against Genoa, managed by Patrick Vieira, is extremely important. Davide Nicola is likely to revert to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, moving away from the 4-3-3 that has shown tactical weaknesses in recent games. The fitness of Zito Luvumbo will be assessed after he had to leave the pitch in the 67th minute of the last match due to another muscle injury.