Cagliari vs Spezia: Cagliari kick-off their Serie A 2021-22 campaign on Monday when they welcome Spezia to the Sardegna Arena for the opener.
Match Details:
Teams: Cagliari vs Spezia
Venue: Sardegna Arena, Cagliari, Italy
Date: Monday 23rd August, 2021
Time: 10:00 PM IST
Live Link: https://www.twitch.tv/cagliaricalcio
𝙌𝙐𝙀𝙇 𝘎𝘐𝘖𝘙𝘕𝘖 🔥
🆚 Spezia
📌 #SerieATIM
🏟 @unipoldomus
⌚️ ore 18.30
📺 @DAZN_IT
#forzaCasteddu pic.twitter.com/SFnDX2Z06Q— Cagliari Calcio (@CagliariCalcio) August 23, 2021
Preview
Cagliari welcome Spezia for the opening match of their Serie A campaign on Monday, as they look to begin with a victory.
The home side endured a woeful campaign last season when they finished 16th in the table and narrowly avoided relegation by just 4 points.
They suffered the joined 3rd highest number of losses in one season alongside Benevento with 19 in the last campaign.
Semplici’s men would need to be at the top of their game if they want to avoid a similar fate this time as well.
His side had a decent pre-season campaign where they won 2 and lost 1 of their 3 matches and will want to step up their game starting with the season opener.
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Cagliari got past Pisa in their Coppa Italia Round 1 match on Sunday as they won 3-1 with Marin, Caracciolo’s OG and Deiola’s strikes making the difference.
Meanwhile, Spezia would also seek improvement following a 15th place finish last season.
Alongside the fact, that they could not manage any pre-season football due to players contracting Covid.
Also read: Serie A 2021/22 Fixtures and Dates revealed: Serie A 2021/22| All you need to know
Yet, Spezia will aim to start off well as they aim for a good finish this season and not threatening the drop zone last like season.
They started off their season well with a 3-1 away win against Pordenone in the 1st round of Coppa Italia.
Erlic, Nikolaou and Colley’s goals ensured victory for the visitors while Pordenone scored through Folorunsho’s second half penalty.
Spezia won 2-1 the last time both sides met in March 2021 in the Serie A.
Form Guide
Cagliari: LWLWW
Spezia: LDWDW
Last Matches of both teams:
Cagliari 3-1 Pisa (Coppa Italia)
Pordenone 1-3 Spezia (Coppa Italia)
Where to watch the live streaming and broadcast of Cagliari vs Spezia in India?
The match can be live streamed on the club’s official website or on the JioTV App.
Link: https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/how-to-watch-serie-a-in-india-tv-live-stream-fixtures-teams/uuajd0aq4m0b181yoht1781o4
Team News
Lykogiannis and Ladinetti are ruled out for the home side as they suffer from a calf injury and physical discomfort respectively. Rog also remains doubtful as he nurses an injury.
Spezia has no injury concerns ahead of the opener as they pose a fully fit squad.
Cagliari possible 11:
Cragno, Ceppitelli, Godin, Carboni, Zappa, Marin, Strootman, Deiola, Dalbert, Pedro and Pavoletti
Spezia possible 11:
Zoet, Hristov, Erlic, Nikolaou, Ferrer, Maggiore, Kovalenko, Adou, Colley, Verde and Mraz
Prediction: Cagliari 1-0 Spezia
Both sides will aim to start afresh and we can expect a closely fought affair in the season opener.
Cagliari should edge this one on the basis of having had a pre-season, where their players got into shape while Spezia may find it difficult owing to lack of practice.
Players to watch out for: Pedro, Pavoletti, Mraz, Verde.
