Cagliari” data-scaytid=”1″>Cagliari host Juventus” data-scaytid=”2″>Juventus tomorrow and Coach Diego Lopez admits it would’ve been “better to keep Radja Nainggolan a bit longer.”
Cagliari host Juventus tomorrow and Coach Diego Lopez admits it would’ve been “better to keep Radja Nainggolan a bit longer.”
The Serie A leaders visit Sardinia on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“Games like this don’t need me to motivate the players,” he said in his Press conference.
“Juventus are a strong and organised side, plus they’ve been playing together for three years and this makes it an even more dangerous match than the one against Napoli.
“I don’t think the Bianconeri will be relaxed after winning the head-to-head with Roma and going eight points clear. Strong teams are up there thanks to their mentality.
“Andrea Pirlo is world class and everyone would like to lock him down in midfield, but every time he still manages to play his game. Carlos Tevez is doing very well in his debut Serie A season.”
This is Cagliari’s first match since sending midfield dynamo Nainggolan to Roma.
“It would be impossible to find a perfect replacement for him, but we have players with different characteristics who can do well,” continued Lopez.
“I wish Radja all the best for his career. Perhaps it would’ve been better to keep Nainggolan a bit longer, both for us and for Roma, seeing as we are trying to take points off Juve!
“We have to attack Juventus, because if you clam up against such a strong opponent then it’s all over. We must try to annoy their defence.”
Cagliari squad for Juventus: Adan, Avramov; Astori, Avelar, Del Fabro, Murru, Perico, Pisano, Rossettini; Cabrera, Conti, Cossu, Dessena, Ekdal, Masia; Ibarbo, Ibraimi, Pinilla, Sau