Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco is confident Diego Godin will join from Inter, while he’ll be ‘enemies’ with Sassuolo and Domenico Berardi for 90 minutes.
It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I can’t help but be happy to debut for my new club against Sassuolo, a side that will always have a piece of my heart,” said the coach in his press conference.
Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco is confident Diego Godin will join from Inter, while he’ll be ‘enemies’ with Sassuolo and Domenico Berardi for 90 minutes.
It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I can’t help but be happy to debut for my new club against Sassuolo, a side that will always have a piece of my heart,” said the coach in his press conference.
“We are opponents and for 90 minutes even enemies, because we really want to start strong. It’s positive that there will be some people in the stands, even if 1,000 aren’t many, but at least they can make it a more atmospheric event.”
The Emilia-Romagna and Veneto regions have lifted lockdown restrictions on sporting events, allowing up to 1,000 into open-air stadiums.
Di Francesco became famous at Sassuolo for his focus on exciting, attacking, passing football, an approach continued now by Roberto De Zerbi.
“We’ll have to be organised and limit their passing, certainly. I see great grit and determination from my players and we’ll need those elements.
“Mimmo Berardi is an irritating player to mark and I’ll hate him for 95 minutes, then I can hug him at the final whistle! It’s no secret I tried to sign him at Roma.”
Cagliari have made numerous changes to their squad over the summer, as well as a new tactician, and more could come with Diego Godin in advanced talks from Inter.
“The two full-backs only recently joined us, and it’s true that the 4-3-3 formation has so far seen us adapt some players to different positions, but we’re working on it. I have a few doubts, Riccardo Sottil has recovered, so I’ll decide in the morning.
“As for Godin, he is a leader, a determined defender with positive characteristics that can help his teammates to grow. We’re seeking a player with these characteristics. At the moment, we also have Ragnar Klavan in that role.
“The club is reassuring me on Godin, just as we are evaluating the desire to bring Radja Nainggolan back too.”