In a press conference ahead of Cagliari’s match against Torino, manager Davide Nicola addressed the recent controversies surrounding defender Yerry Mina. The Colombian player has been at the centre of debates due to his alleged provocative behaviour, which some claim led to the red cards of D’Ambrosio against Monza and Rebic against Lecce. Nicola, however, firmly rejected these accusations.
“I don’t like it when he’s labelled as a provocateur,” Nicola stated. “I prefer to focus on facts, and criticism interests me little. By nature, I want aggression and fairness from my defenders. Mina has never engaged in misconduct.”
The Cagliari boss emphasized the legitimacy of the red cards in question, asserting that he would expect appropriate punishment if his own players were to commit similar offenses. He described Mina as a professional who accepts physical confrontation, suggesting that it’s others who struggle with this aspect of the game.
“Mina is a professional who accepts physical confrontation. Some can’t handle it and react inappropriately. He has always been fair, and I want him to continue that way,” Nicola explained.
When asked about Gianluca Gaetano’s recent goal against Lecce and whether it had unlocked the player’s potential, Nicola provided insight into the young midfielder’s progress:
“The lad was behind in his preparation, despite playing consistently. He needed to find his rhythm. He doesn’t have a long history behind him, but he’s a very important player. He knew he had to find that spark. Now that he’s found it, it’s up to him to be more consistent and play with more ease.”
