Gianfranco Zola prepares for his Serie A debut as a Coach with Cagliari visiting Palermo. “It’s a new beginning for me.”
It kicks off at the Stadio Barbera on Tuesday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Former West Ham United and Watford manager Zola has only ever coached in Italy for the Under-21 side, where he shared the bench with Pierluigi Casiraghi – now his assistant in Sardinia.
Gianfranco Zola prepares for his Serie A debut as a Coach with Cagliari visiting Palermo. “It’s a new beginning for me.”
It kicks off at the Stadio Barbera on Tuesday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Former West Ham United and Watford manager Zola has only ever coached in Italy for the Under-21 side, where he shared the bench with Pierluigi Casiraghi – now his assistant in Sardinia.
“This is a new beginning for me, so I will have to rely on situations that I know well,” said Zola in a Press conference.
He was hired on Christmas Eve after the dismissal of Zdenek Zeman.
“The squad seems in good condition. Marco Sau is improving, but it’s premature to risk him, while Victor Ibarbo had a problem in training this morning.
“Palermo are on form and doing very well, but we will go there to play our football, aware that we have what it takes to hurt them.
“The midfield is currently Cagliari’s strongest area, as we have many quality alternatives. Daniele Conti is mature and positive. At his age some players get grumpy, but it’s good to see him always involved!”
Having replaced Zeman, Zola will now try to mould the squad to his own image and that means transfer market activity.
“I prefer not to name names, also out of respect for those who are here now. Someone will arrive, as the situation demands it, but I want to underline my faith in the current group.”
Cagliari squad for Palermo: Carboni, Colombi, Cragno, Avelar, Balzano, Benedetti, Capuano, Ceppitelli, Murru, Pisano, Rossettini, Conti, Crisetig, Dessena, Donsah, Ekdal, Joao Pedro, Caio Rangel, Capello, Cossu, Farias, Longo