Cagliari manager Davide Nicola expressed optimism about his squad ahead of their upcoming match against Empoli, despite coming off a heavy 4-0 defeat to Napoli. Speaking at a press conference, Nicola addressed various aspects of the team’s preparation and mindset.
Regarding the team’s physical condition, Nicola stated, “Five days are sufficient to recover from the match against Napoli. We’ve had some physical issues with a few players.” He emphasized that his focus is solely on Cagliari’s current situation and the importance of the upcoming game, despite his recent past with Empoli.
Nicola dismissed any anxiety about securing a win, saying, “For me, the anxiety to win doesn’t exist. We must play to achieve the best possible result. We’re laying the foundations to collect more points compared to the first four matches.” He expressed satisfaction with the team’s commitment, adding, “I’m happy with this squad.”
Addressing his move from Empoli to Cagliari, Nicola explained, “I thank President Corsi for his kindness. The choice I made was what I felt, for a new challenge. I found myself very well in Empoli, but football is also about different challenges.”
The manager stressed the importance of balance and quality in their play: “We shouldn’t become anxious or frantic, but qualitative. Usually, people look at what’s not working, but instead, we should see the progress we’re making, improving game by game.”
Nicola also discussed tactical possibilities, including potentially playing Lapadula and Pavoletti together, but emphasized thinking in terms of the group rather than individual players. He stated, “We need to grow as a collective. For tomorrow, there could be different choices. I consider them all starters.”
Regarding areas for improvement, Nicola noted, “We’ve had haste in certain situations. Beyond courage, we need balance and discipline on the field. It’s not enough to run; we need to run in the right way. We’re working on this.”
Looking ahead to the match against Empoli, Nicola commented on their opponent’s style: “Their approach is different; they’ve changed coaches. They prefer vertical play and are quick in counterattacks. We’ll need to be good at improving both phases of our game, trying to hit them and exploit our qualities. I expect a tough match.”
Nicola concluded by addressing the team’s scoring issues and individual player development, particularly mentioning Luvumbo’s potential for improvement in front of goal.
