Daniel Maldini told Sky Sport that his goal against Roma at the Olimpico created an illusion of victory for the Sardinians, but the team still showed a great level of play. “Unfortunately the goal deceived us a bit, but we played well,” he said, adding that only the last touch was missing to turn the performance into a positive result.
Cagliari, who arrived on the field after two consecutive defeats against Bologna and Monza, started the match with a decisive approach from the first minute. Maldini underlined that the team gave "a great match" and that the lack of that final spark prevented them from getting a point. The young striker, who scored five goals this season, explained that the coach gives him ample space to move, allowing him to express himself freely on the pitch.
According to Maldini, this freedom is fundamental for his development. "The coach leaves me very free. We are free to move and do as we like in front of us," he said, highlighting that this autonomy helps to make the most of one's abilities. He also showed an improvement in his tackling and ability to recover the loose ball, aspects that were lacking the previous year.
The player recognized the importance of staying focused throughout the match, especially when he doesn't have the ball. “Without the ball I think that's the leap I need to make,” he said, stressing that continued concentration is the key to success.
With the match ending in a draw, Cagliari now finds itself reflecting on how to transform positive performances into tangible results. Maldini expressed his desire to continue improving, aiming to close the small gap that prevented him from taking home the points. The club, which has shown a good level of play, will now have to evaluate how to make the most of the freedom granted to the players to obtain more consistent results in the next matches.