[D-Kin]

Sonetti makes Sardinians sweat Saturday 17 November, 2007

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Nedo Sonetti has been back on the Cagliari bench for less than a week, but is already running the players ragged!

The tactician was already in charge of the squad last season, but stepped in again this week to replace the fired Marco Giampaolo.

“He was a hard taskmaster and he hasn’t changed a bit!” laughed defender Michele Ferri when asked how Sonetti was settling back in.

“He is in great form. We all know him, the Coach is a determined person with a very strong character.”

There are also big tactical changes that come with the replacement on the bench, revealed Ferri.

“Giampaolo asked the wide players to push forward a lot, but with Sonetti we will be more anchored to the back and still support the strikers.

“The way we achieve that is moving the whole centre of the squad higher up the field so we won’t let our opponents hit us on the counter.

“I am sorry for Giampaolo, he just paid the price for the fact the results did not come.”

The Sardinians have just nine points from 11 games so far, having won two, drawn three and lost the other six.

They are tied in bottom place in Serie A alongside Siena, Reggina, Livorno and Empoli. Their worst problems have been at the back, where they have conceded 18 goals.

“Last season our defensive record was among the best in Serie A, but the figures show that is not the case this time around,” continued Ferri.

“We cannot afford to be complacent here. We need to do well and turn the situation around. We knew it would be difficult and have to take it one game at a time.”

channel4.com - Football Italia