Gianfranco Zola has picked his first Cagliari starting XI for the Derby delle Isole with high-flying Palermo and faces Paulo Dybala.
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Zola was hired on Christmas Eve after the dismissal of Zdenek Zeman, whose project was abandoned following just two wins, six draws and eight defeats.
Their last success was back on October 25, so the club called in native Sardinian and former player Zola.
Gianfranco Zola has picked his first Cagliari starting XI for the Derby delle Isole with high-flying Palermo and faces Paulo Dybala.
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Zola was hired on Christmas Eve after the dismissal of Zdenek Zeman, whose project was abandoned following just two wins, six draws and eight defeats.
Their last success was back on October 25, so the club called in native Sardinian and former player Zola.
This is Magic Box’s first ever Serie A management job, having previously run West Ham United and Watford in England.
He was also co-Coach of the Italy Under-21 side with Pierluigi Casiraghi, who is now his assistant manager on the Cagliari bench.
Unfortunately for him, Zola has to do without two star strikers going into this debut match, as Victor Ibarbo and Marco Sau are both sidelined.
He therefore has to use Samuele Longo in the middle of a trident attack with Diego Farias and Andrea Cossu.
His first big change is in goal, replacing Alessio Cragno with Colombi.
Palermo have no qualms about Coach Beppe Iachini after a spectacular club record eight-round unbeaten run put them in ninth place.
Much of that has to do with 21-year-old Argentine talent Dybala, who has scored seven goals and provided six assists this term.
He is again partnered by Franco Vazquez, who is considering an offer to play for Antonio Conte’s Italy squad.
Iachini has a full squad to choose from other than Fabio Daprela.
The Sardinians last conquered the Stadio Barbera back in 2006-07, one of only two wins here along with four draws and six defeats.
Palermo: Sorrentino; Munoz, Gonzalez, Feddal; Morganella, Rigoni, Maresca, Barreto, Lazaar; Vazquez, Dybala
Palermo bench: Ujkani, Vitiello, E Pisano, Andelkovic, Joao Silva, Emerson, Della Rocca, Bolzoni, Chochev, Terzi, Quaison, Belotti
Cagliari: Colombi; F Pisano, Ceppitelli, Rossettini, Avelar; Crisetig, Conti, Ekdal; Farias, Longo, Cossu
Cagliari bench: Cragno, Carboni, Murru, Joao Pedro, Capello, Caio Rangel, Dessena, Balzano, Benedetti, Donsah, Capuano