With the end of the summer transfer window, Football Italia previews the 2021-22 Serie A campaign and what to expect from Cagliari. Words Martin Mork.
Leonardo Semplici is confirmed in the Cagliari dug-out and the Sardinians hope to secure Serie A survival with a few games to spare and without struggling as much as they did last season.
CAGLIARI TRANSFERS IN
Strootman (M, Genoa), Radunovic (G, Atalanta), Altare (D, Olbia), Dalbert (D, Rennes), Grassi (M, Parma), Bellanova (D, Bordeaux), Keita Baldé (S, Monaco)
CAGLIARI TRANSFER OUT
Klavan (D, Paide Linnameeskond), Calabresi (D, Bologna), Asamoah (D, out of contract), Rugani (D, Juventus), Duncan (M, Fiorentina), Nainggolan (M, Inter), Sottil (S, Fiorentina), Tramoni (S, Brescia), Vicario (G, Empoli), Bradaric (M, Al Ahly), Juwara (S, Crotone), Tripaldelli (D, Spal), Cerri (S, Como), Simeone (S, Verona)
PROBABLE XI
WHAT TO EXPECT
Radja Nainggolan didn’t return to the club for the fourth time in his career, but Casteddu signed another experience and reliable midfielder in Kevin Strootman. Keita Baldé joined the Sardinians on the deadline day, so the former Inter and Sampdoria forward will give more options to Leonardo Semplici up front. Cagliari need to rebuild after a difficult campaign in 2020-21. They have a good mix of young and experienced players, none of their big names left and if either Leonardo Pavoletti or Joao Pedro reach double figures for goals, the Cagliari can chase the top ten.
COACH – LEONARDO SEMPLICI
The early signs are not encouraging as Cagliari began the season with a 2-2 home draw against Spezia and a 4-1 defeat against Milan. However, they recovered from two goals down in their first game against Thiago Motta’s side, showing the same character and energy they had last season when Semplici was appointed to replace Eusebio Di Francesco.
The Tuscan wants to keep things tight at the back and is one of those coaches able to get the best out of each one of his players. His SPAL side surprisingly finished 13th in 2018-19, but faced relegation the following season. Many still consider Cagliari’s Serie A survival last term a miracle as Semplici collected 21 points in 15 games. They had managed just 16 in 23 before his appointment.
CAPTAIN – JOAO PEDRO
The Brazilian forward has been given the captaincy and is one of the longest-serving players in the current squad, arriving from Portuguese side Estoril Praia seven years ago. The 29-year-old has established himself as a key member of the team and it’s no different under new coach Leonardo Semplici.
In recent years, Joao Pedro has been linked with a move away from the club but committed to a new four-year deal in 2019 and will continue to spearhead the Casteddu in 2021-22, contributing with his decisive goals, forcing the opponents to drop deeper with his movement between the lines. Joao Pedro started the new season in a promising way, scoring a brace in the 2-2 draw with Udinese and seems to be on target yet again, as he has been pushed further up the pitch in recent years, contributing 16 goals in 2020-21 and 18 goals in 2019-20.
PLAYER TO WATCH – NAHITAN NANDEZ
The Uruguayan midfielder arrived at Cagliari as a coup from Boca Juniors in August 2019 and the 25-year-old’s performances has not disappointed at the Sardegna Arena. However, his behaviour this summer was writing headlines in Italian media, as he pushed for a move to Inter.
Cagliari stood firm and demanded that his release clause at €36m was met to part ways with the Uruguay international, as Tottenham Hotspur emerged as a possible destination too. Nandez remained and was surprisingly named in the starting XI in the first game, as he had refused to play in pre-season and was forced to apologise to his teammates and President Tommaso Giulini. Nandez has played 74 competitive games with the Rossoblu since his arrival and has been a breath of fresh air, playing with conviction and hard work, but he must now re-earn the full respect from the tifosi on the island.
Nandez has something to prove, both for his current club, where he’s tied until June 2024 and the possible suitors, who are asked to cough up for Cagliari to let him leave. A highly technical player with leadership abilities, always working tirelessly for the team. Will it continue after the controversial transfer saga this summer?