Cagliari wins the first "Gigi Riva Trophy" under the banner of Rombo di Tuono

CAGLIARI — Cagliari won the first edition of the Gigi Riva Trophy , a tribute to the legendary Thunderbolt , who passed away on January 22, 2024 at the age of 79 after scoring 249 goals in 443 games for club and country. Riva remains Italy's all-time top scorer with 35 goals and holds the record for goals for the Sardinians. At the Unipol Domus stadium, Fabio Pisacane 's men won 1-0 against French side Saint-Étienne . Coach Rino Gattuso and Italy's delegation leader Gigi Buffon were also present in the stands.

Rombo di Tuono's double against the French

The decision of Saint-Étienne, a fallen noble of French football, with its ten championships won, nine of them between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s, was no coincidence. The French team, relegated to Ligue 2 last season, was the first team Riva's Cagliari faced in the European Cup in the 1970/71 season, the one following their historic Scudetto. And it was precisely a brace from Rombo di Tuono in the first leg played at the Sant'Elia that condemned the French side to elimination. The match ended 3-0 in Sardinia (with Nenè scoring the other) and 1-0 to the French in the return leg. That Cagliari side then advanced to the round of 16, where they lost to Atlético Madrid.

The debut at the Domus di Pisacane

Last night was also Pisacane's first as Cagliari coach at the Unipol Domus . His arrival on the Rossoblu bench has somewhat divided the fans. Some were skeptical of a coach in his first season in Serie A , while others saw continuity in him after an excellent year in charge of the Primavera, which concluded with the club's Coppa Italia victory. The Neapolitan manager's task will certainly not be an easy one. After Ranieri's two miracles, with promotion to Serie A and a stay in the top flight the following year, and Davide Nicola's relegation with two games to spare, the former defender will be expected to lead a quiet season, the likes of which haven't been seen in these parts for years.

Decisive aftermath

The match unfolded with all the serenity of an early August friendly. The pace was slow, the intensity lacking, and the players were still reeling from preparation. Cagliari's latest arrivals, Folorunsho and Mazzitelli , were absent, as well as one of the Rossoblu's transfer market players, Zortea . Pisacane initially relied on the group that led to survival last season, with Caprile in goal, Luperto, Mina , and Obert in a three-man defense. A five-man midfield featured Zappa and Felici on the wings, with Prati, Deiola , and Adopo in the middle. Up front, Luvumbo and Piccoli . A large number of Primavera players were on the bench. The match was decided in the 20th minute with a fine left-footed shot from the edge of the box by Adopo, which landed in the top corner.