Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco must wait to field ‘difference-maker’ Radja Nainggolan, but urges his team not to make ‘naïve mistakes’ against Napoli.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Marko Rog is out for six months, so Radja Nainggolan has been brought back on loan from Inter, but as the transfer window technically opens on January 4, he won’t be available to play tomorrow.
Cagliari coach Eusebio Di Francesco must wait to field ‘difference-maker’ Radja Nainggolan, but urges his team not to make ‘naïve mistakes’ against Napoli.
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Marko Rog is out for six months, so Radja Nainggolan has been brought back on loan from Inter, but as the transfer window technically opens on January 4, he won’t be available to play tomorrow.
“We had wanted Nainggolan earlier in the season and he’ll give us a great deal,” said the coach in his press conference.
“Radja has both attacking and defensive characteristics that are very valuable to the team, allowing him to play in a variety of different roles. He is a player who makes the difference.”
Meanwhile, Diego Godin and Napoli-owned Adam Ounas are out of action, while Ragnar Klavan still has COVID-19.
“Aside from tactics, it’s the attitude that makes the difference against Napoli. I think we’ll return to four at the back, but I’ll make the final decision tonight.
“We know how dangerous Napoli can be upfront, they are an ambitious side who want to finish in the top spots. We have to make the most of our own strengths, the way we did against Roma, even if we lost 3-2. We need to be more consistent within the 90 minutes, both mentally and physically.
“Cagliari have had moments of playing very well and even dominating against the big clubs, so Roma and Inter didn’t pin us back. We need to be more consistent and not give away cheap goals due to naïve mistakes.”
Cagliari squad for Napoli: Aresti, Cragno, Vicario; Tripaldelli, Pinna, Pisacane, Lykogiannis, Ceppitelli, Zappa, Boccia, Walukiewicz, Carboni; Marin, Caligara, Nandez, Oliva; Simeone, Joao Pedro, Tramoni, Pereiro, Cerri, Pavoletti, Sottil, Contini