Emotions are running high as legendary Ranieri returns to Bologna to re-live his glory days in 1991
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 02.09.23. | 15:06
The veteran coach returns to the place where he made his name over three decades ago
Many memories were created on 19 May 1991 in Italian football. Sampdoria fans will tell you it's the day they won the Serie A title with players like Roberto Mancini and Gianluca Vialli in their ranks. But that date remains crucial for Cagliari, their supporters and their then-and-current coach, Claudio Ranieri.
Cagliari were staring relegation in the face. Despite boasting two legendary South American talents, striker Daniel Fonseca and the elegant Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli, the Rossoblu were in trouble. Even though they started the season strongly with a sensational 2-1 win over Napoli at the San Paolo, the first half of the season turned out to be disastrous for Ranieri's team in terms of results. At the midway point, Cagliari found themselves second last in the standings with just 10 points, trailing the safety zone by five points.
However, neither the coach, the team, nor the fans ever lost hope and continued to believe firmly in the possibility of salvation. This belief led Cagliari to a long series of positive results, bringing them, on the morning of 19 May 1991, to the penultimate round of the championship, just one point ahead of Lecce, who were in the last place to guarantee safety. Lecce were playing against Scudetto-chasing Sampdoria, and it was unlikely that they could escape the historic triumph of the Genovese that day. Ranieri's team played against Bologna, knowing that a victory would most likely secure their safety in Serie A with one round to spare.
Ranieri's men took to the field at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna with commendable determination, and Fonseca scored in each half to secure a victory that, combined with Sampdoria's 3-0 win over Lecce, ensured Cagliari's unlikely survival.
The city of Cagliari and the entire island of Sardinia celebrated their team's survival in Serie A with great enthusiasm. This celebration surpassed even the previous year's festivities when the team was promoted to the top tier. While there were doubts about the team's competitiveness in Serie A during the previous promotion, their impressive performance in the second half of the season instilled hope for a promising future. As a result, in the following seasons, Cagliari would even qualify for European competitions. One of the highlights during this period was their UEFA Cup semi-final match against Inter in the 1993/1994 season.
Ranieri wasn't there to oversee the European adventure, though. As soon as he secured survival, he indicated he would leave Cagliari to take over the prestigious job at post-Maradona Napoli. That part of Ranieri's career wasn't successful and was dismissed halfway through his second season in Campagna.
However, it didn't stop him from having a brilliant career, becoming one of the most recognized coaches in Italy and abroad. He is one of the coaches with the most Serie A appearances, not to mention his excellent results abroad (France, Spain, England), highlighted by his greatest achievement - leading Leicester City to win the English Premier League.
So, why are we remembering that day in May 1991? Well, after 32 years, Ranieri takes his Gagliari team back to Bologna. You just know it's going to be very emotional for the 71-year-old tactician.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 3
Friday
Sassuolo - Verona 3-1 (1-0)
/Pinamonti 11, Berardi 53, 63 pen - Ngonge 56/
Roma - Milan 1-2 (0-1)
/Spinazzola 90+2 - Giroud 9 pen, Leao 48/
Saturday
19.30: (1.85) Udinese (3.60) Frosinone (4.80)
19.30: (1.75) Bologna (3.70) Cagliari (5.40)
21.45: (1.65) Atalanta (3.70) Monza (5.60)
21.45: (1.65) Napoli (4.00) Lazio (6.00)
Sunday
19.30: (1.70) Inter (3.80) Fiorentina (5.60)
19.30: (2.15) Torino (3.30) Genoa (3.90)
21.45: (5.40) Empoli (3.70) Juventus (1.68)
21.45: (2.10) Lecce (3.45) Salernitana (3.90)
***odds are subject to change
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