[D-Kin]

Ballardini 'can save Cagliari' Monday 31 December, 2007

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Cagliari have had a disastrous season packed with controversy and in-fighting, but new Coach Davide Ballardini is “convinced we can do well.”

The tactician is the third man on the Stadio Sant’Elia bench this season after Marco Giampaolo and Nedo Sonetti were fired.

Sonetti had resigned in the week before Christmas, but when Giampaolo refused to return, accepted another game with the club. That 5-1 defeat at Fiorentina also proved to be his last.

“I know these players because I already trained them at Cagliari and other clubs,” explained Ballardini in his presentation Press Conference.

“If I have come back then it is because I am convinced we can do well.”

This is Ballardini’s second stint with the Sardinians, as he was sacked after four draws and five defeats from September to November 2005.

“The team is built on solid and organised foundations. All we have been missing are the results.”

Cagliari are propping up the table with just 10 points from 17 Serie A games and are already five points adrift of the safety zone.

Ballardini’s arrival is the latest sea-change for a club that has also been wracked by in-fighting and controversy, with Pasquale Foggia accused of organising an attack on teammate Davide Marchini in a bar.

“I have some tactical ideas, but I want everyone to give their best. The three strikers are young and talented.

“Foggia is a great player, he needs to grow in every aspect of his game. He has excellent quality and I would like for him to show that in a Cagliari jersey.”

channel4.com - Football Italia