Serie A Preview: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cagliari-Calcio-c38716 vs. Novara Calcio
Massimo Ficcadenti’s Cagliari will host Serie A newcomers, Novara, in their second league game of the season on Saturday, September, 17th, 2011 at 16:00 GMT.
The Isolani had a dream start to their campaign as they beat A.S http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico Rome last week. On the other hand, Novara drew 2-2 against Chievo Verona in their return to the Serie A last Sunday.
Cagliari
The Rossoblu are definitely looking to grab maximum points from their opening fixtures as they tend to struggle towards the end of the season. They finished on the 14th spot last season and have targeted a top half finish this time around.
Ficcadenti replaced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Donadoni as the head coach just before the season and has been handed the task of guiding the club to success. Though the club have started well under him but lack of summer spending present him with a tough task of guiding the club in top half.
Cagliari struggled towards the end of the last season and have picked up only two victories since the turn of year. The manager stated in a recent interview that his team should pick up maximum points from their home games as it will have a lot of say in their league standing.
Novara
Novara put on a brave show against Chievo and after trailing 2-0 at one point they managed to draw a point from the game. The Biancoazzurri are looking to extend their stay in the top division after making a return after suffering from relegation in 1956.
Attilio Tesser’s men had a decent pre-season campaign and the character of the team in their opening league game promises more good things in the future. The club President, Carlo Accornero, was extremely pleased with his team’s performance and Tesser’s handling of the team that he compared the tactician to Manchester United manager, Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Ferguson.
Team News
Cagliari
Dutch striker, Moestafa El Kabir is expected to start the game due to concerns over fitness of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Ribeiro-c34900. Kabir scored the winner against Roma after coming off the bench in the 87th minute. Nene is expected to lead the line in a customary 4-4-2 formation for Ficcadenti’s side.
Expected line-up: Agazzi, Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini, Cossu, Biondini, Nainggolan, Conti, Nene, Kabir
Novara
The White-Blues are sweating on the fitness of new striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Takayuki-Morimoto-c34530, is expected to replace him in the starting line-up.
Expected Line-up: Ujkani, Morganella, Paci, Ludi, Gemiti, Porcari, Marianini, Pesce, Pinardi, Granoche, Morimoto
Players to Watch
El-Kabir
The Moroccan born striker could prove to be an answer to Cagliari’s problems upfront. The striker came off the bench to secure all three points for his side against Roma last week. The 22-year-old showed clever movement, great pace and his finishing was clinical. The striker has got a bright future ahead of him and could cement a place in the Rossoblu first-team.
Massimo Paci
The veteran defender’s performance will be very important if the visitors are to get anything from the game. Signed from Parma before the season, Paci showed his true class in the opening game of the season against Chievo and summed up an excellent defensive performance with an equalizing goal towards the end of the game.
Prediction
Cagliari showed immense promise in their opening game and their attack minded mentality under new manager, Ficcadenti, promises much more to come in the future. The hosts might edge out a close win at the Stadio Sant’Elia. Verdict: 2-1
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