Cagliari Calcio’s new head coach, Fabio Pisacane, has heaped praise on the young players despite his side’s 3-1 loss to Galatasaray in a club friendly on Thursday. The Italian club lined up against the Turkish Süper Lig champions, who fielded former Premier League stars such as Alvaro Morata, Lucas Torreira, Davinson Sánchez, and Mario Lemina.
The Rossoblu drew first blood in the 16th minute through Michel Ndary Adopo, who nodded the ball into the back of the net from point-blank range. Just three minutes later, Roland Sallai levelled matters for Galatasaray before Baris Alper Yilmaz and Adar Ünyay put the game to bed.
At 19 years old, Zambian youth international Joseph Liteta was the youngest player in Cagliari’s starting XI. He put up an impressive 72-minute shift in midfield vs. the Turkish giants, completing 15 of his 17 passes and making three tackles while winning 75% of his duels.
He was one of the club’s youth players who were called up to the first team squad by Pisacane for the preseason friendlies this month.
Pisacane assures young players
Pisacane, who managed Liteta at Cagliari U20 last season, was appointed as the club’s first team coach in June following the departure of Davide Nicola. He enjoyed a brilliant 2024-25 season with the youth team, winning the Coppa Italia Primavera with Liteta being one of the key players in his team.
The Zambian wonderkid featured 32 times in all competitions for Cagliari U20, scoring a goal and providing an assist from midfield.
Following the first team’s outing against Galatasaray, Cagliari’s head coach Pisacane was impressed with the performance of Liteta and other youth players. He said in a post-match interview, “They are our future and the energy they brought to the pitch today is clear. It’s vital fuel.”
“With me, they will always have space and an open door,” emphasised Pisacane about giving the young players opportunities in the upcoming season.
The Rossoblu continue their preseason tour with an encounter against 2. Bundesliga outfit Hannover 96 on Saturday, after which they will face French second-tier side Saint-Étienne. Liteta and co. will look to impress Pisacane as they eye their Italian Serie A debuts.
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