Starting the post-Claudio Ranieri era on Monday evening, Cagliari host Serie B side Carrarese in the first round of the Coppa Italia.
Having led the Rossoblu back to the big time and kept them afloat last season, Ranieri's retirement has seen survival specialist Davide Nicola step into the hotseat.
Match preview
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Almost a year after Claudio Ranieri helped Cagliari return to Serie A via the playoffs, the much-loved veteran saw his side overcome already-relegated Sassuolo on the penultimate matchday of the 2023-24 season, assuring their top-flight survival.
Although a final-day defeat to Fiorentina - one of many former clubs in Ranieri's long career - ended a six-match unbeaten streak on home soil, he signed off his second stay in Sardinia with a smile.
Taking up the challenge of replacing such an icon, Davide Nicola is the new man in charge at Unipol Domus, having helped Empoli stay up last season, following similar rescue acts at Crotone, Torino and Salernitana.
Recent friendlies have brought a mixed bag of results for the Rossoblu: defeat to top-flight newcomers Como being followed by a win over Catanzaro and last week's 2-2 draw with Modena.
Now, Cagliari - Coppa Italia runners-up in 1969, but never winners of Italy's national knockout competition - are preparing for Monday's cup clash and a Serie A opener at home to Roma six days later.
By contrast with their more illustrious hosts, Carrarese could be described as Tuscan minnows from a town best known for producing legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Last season, they defied expectations to prevail in the Serie C playoffs, beating Vicenza in the final with a decisive goal by ex-Monza forward Mattia Finotto.
The good work of head coach Antonio Calabro not only led to promotion, but reaching Calcio's second tier also qualified the Giallazzurri for a place in the Coppa Italia's preliminary round.
New signing Leonardo Cerri scored Carrarese's winner in a 2-1 victory over Catania last week, setting them up for an enticing first-round tie in Sardinia.
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Team News
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While regular starters Alberto Dossena, Ibrahim Sulemana and Nahitan Nandez have all left Cagliari this summer, they have brought in Michel Adopo and Roberto Piccoli on loan from Atalanta BC, in addition to Sebastiano Luperto.
The latter - who followed Davide Nicola from Empoli - should replace Dossena in defence, with Adopo likely to feature in midfield.
Ex-Everton centre-back Yerry Mina is unavailable, having been on extended leave following Colombia's run to the Copa America final.
Meanwhile, Mateo Scheffer and playoff hero Mattia Finotto are both struggling to be fit for Carrarese, who have been on a recruitment drive ahead of the upcoming Serie B campaign, making good use of the loan market.
Young prospects such as Juventus striker Leonardo Cerri - scorer of the winning goal last time out - Roma's Luigi Cherubini and Mattia Motolese of Bologna should be involved on Monday; Giuseppe Panico scored 10 times last season and has now made his loan deal permanent.
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Obert, Wieteska, Luperto; Zortea, Marin, Adopo, Deiola, Augello; Luvumbo, Piccoli
Carrarese possible starting lineup:
Bleve; Coppolaro, Illanes, Imperiale; Cicconi, Palmieri, Schiavi, Belloni; Panico, Cherubini; Cerri
We say: Cagliari 2-1 Carrarese
No matter what time of the season, Cagliari are generally tough to beat on Sardinian soil, and a fairly settled squad should start the 2024-25 campaign with a win; little Carrarese are Serie B newcomers and lack experience against top-tier opposition.
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