Cagliari Calcio head coach Fabio Pisacane has heaped praise on Zambian midfielder Joseph Liteta following his impressive outing vs Como in the Italian Serie A on Saturday.
The youngster started his second consecutive game in the Italian topflight as Cagliari fell 2-1 to Como.
Breaking the deadlock in a tightly contested first half, Martin Baturina directed the ball into the bottom corner after it fortuitously fell to him in the penalty box. The hosts were rewarded for their early second half pressure when Sebastian Esposito nodded in an equalizer from point blank range in the 56th minute.
Lucas Da Cunha pulled a rabbit out of the hat, netting a screamer from outside the box to reclaim Como’s advantage at 76 minutes . Cagliari eventually left the contest empty-handed despite making a late push to level matters.
Cesc Fabregas’ side occupy a UEFA Champions League spot in the Serie A standings while the Rossoblu continue to look over their shoulders in their survival battle.
Liteta held his own against an in-form Como, demonstrating composure and maturity in midfield. He completed the most interceptions (5) and recoveries (10) in the match while winning 75% of his ground duels. The 20 year old has now earned four starts in Italy’s top division.
“I have great faith in him” – Pisacane.
Speaking in a post match interview, Pisacane said, “Liteta is a boy who I know very well, as I told you last week. Integrating a young player like him, who comes from the other side of the world and had only really started playing at this tactical level about a year ago, naturally takes time.”
“Honestly, I almost held back from giving him that much responsibility, but I still put him into big matches in Verona and then against Juventus at the Allainz Stadium.”
“I have great faith in the boy because, in my opinion, he has potential that even he himself may not yet realize and perhaps we are yet to see the best of it,” added Pisacane.
Liteta is likely to earn yet another start as Cagliari, who are six points clear of the relegation zone, pay a visit to bottom side Pisa on March 15.
