Cagliari
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Location: Cagliari (Sardinia)
Manager: Massimiliano Allegri
Ground: Stadio Sant’Elia (Capacity: 23,486)
Pre-Season Training Began July 14th in Cagliari
Friendlies Played: Cagliari 6-0 Serie D Representative XI. (July 20th)
Friendlies Scheduled: Olbia (July 27th); Nuorese (August 2nd)
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In: Davide Astori (D, Cremonese); Federico Marchetti (G, Albinoleffe); Andrea Lazzari (S, Grosseto); Claudio Pani (M, Modena)
Out: Marco Storari (G, Fiorentina); Luca Capecchi (G, Ravenna); Davide Marchini (M. Triestina); Pasquale Foggia (M, Lazio)
Negotiating For: Pasquale Foggia (M, Lazio); Fabrizio Zambrella (M, Brescia); Carl Valeri (M, Grosseto)
Transfer Rating: 5.5
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The Isolani had a magnificent second half of their season in 2007-08. After being hit with a small point penalty and spending some time in last place, the Rossoblu climbed their way out of the bottom under the guidance of coach Nedo Sonetti, who returned to the Cagliari bench in November. In a surprise decision, the club decided to part ways with Sonetti at the end of the year and bring in a less-experienced tactician in Max Allegri. For 2008-09, they have lost both playmaking midfielder Pasquale Foggia and an excellent goalkeeper in Marco Storari. However, young star forward Robert Acquafresca is going to remain with the Islanders due to his willingness to see regular first team action and hopefully catch the eye of Inter. With Acquafresca and the return of captain Daniele Conti, this cohesive unit could once again surprise a few people in the upcoming season. You would like to see Cagliari make a few more moves, but you have to respect them for sticking with what hopefully will work. Among the more recent signings for the Rossoblu is young defender Davide Astori, who played in 31 games for Cremonese last term.
“I have a great desire to be put to the test, to learn and grow.” said Astori. “I am ready if and when the coach calls upon me.”
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Probable Formation: 4-3-1-2
Marchetti; Agostini, Canini, Lopez, Pisano; Parola, Conti, Fini; Cossu; Acquafresca, Jeda
Prediction: Relegation. You have to give them credit for not selling every vital part of their team. But is what they have going to be enough? I don’t think they will have enough in the tank with a new coach to survive another year in Serie A. But they always seem to prove their critics wrong.
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New Kit for 2008-09:
