Cagliari vs Pescara preview - Home sweet home for Cagliari

Posted Sunday, September 30, 2012 by PA

The Stadio Is Arenas will be partially open for business as Cagliari look to put a trying week behind them with victory against Pescara.

After two defeats - one controversially awarded without a ball being kicked in anger - the Sardinians have been given the green light to finally welcome a small number of fans to their new home.

The club have been permitted to open the 'Distinti' section of the new ground for Sunday's game, although only 5,000 season-ticket holders will be allowed to enter.

The Sardinian club this week were hit with a hefty punishment from the Italian Football Federation's disciplinary commission after club president Massimo Cellino defied local authority orders by instructing fans to attend last Sunday's game with Roma - which had been designated a behind-closed-doors match.

As a result of Cellino's announcement, the game was cancelled and a 3-0 walkover victory was awarded to Roma.

The club also have problems on the pitch, with coach Massimo Ficcadenti without captain Daniele Conti - who was sent off in the 2-0 loss at AC Milan in midweek - and the injured Andrea Cossu.

But Ficcadenti remains optimistic that the Rossoblu's troubles are now in the past.

"The 3-0 walkover defeat was certainly annoying and it was frustrating not getting to play the game," said Ficcadenti.

"But I hope that the opening of our new stadium will give us a boost."

If Pescara are to follow up their first top-flight victory in almost 20 years with three more points in Sardinia, then they will do so without Alessandro Crescenzi.

The on-loan Roma defender has been diagnosed with a calf injury that should see him sidelined for at least a month.

Cristian Terlizzi and Simone Romagnoli should partner at the heart of the Delfini defence as coach Giovanni Stroppa continues to assess Uros Cosic's fitness.

Spirits are high in Abruzzo following Vladimir Weiss' wonder goal in the 1-0 win over Palermo on Wednesday, but Stroppa knows there is a long way to go before his side secure survival.

He said: "I have to admit that I really admire the spirit of my boys, who fought until the very end. Then Weiss gift-wrapped the three points for us."