Winks hails Cagliari coach Pisacane: ‘Gives us confidence to play anyone’

BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 12: Harry Winks of Cagliari Calcio is pressured by Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta BC during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Harry Winks credits coach Fabio Pisacane with giving Cagliari the belief to beat Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta. ‘He makes us feel that we can compete with any team in the league.’

The Sardinians have been one of the absolute surprise outfits of Serie A so far this season, as their only defeat has been 1-0 to Champions of Italy Inter.

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Around that, they beat Parma and Lecce with clean sheets, then this evening emerged with a 2-1 victory from the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.

It was thanks to goals from Paul Mendy, who was named Serie A Man of the Match, and Daniel Maldini’s penalty around a Gianluca Scamacca equaliser.

Winks enjoying life at Cagliari

“Since I arrived at the club, I’ve worked with Paul he’s been fantastic with his attitude and work rate,” Winks told Sky Sport Italia.

“Every day he’s improving, he’s a very good striker, and for Cagliari he’s definitely one for the future.”

The former England international had already played in Serie A before for Sampdoria in 2022/23 on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

He decided to return to Italian soil for Cagliari when leaving Leicester City in July, making six appearances between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

“We work very hard every day, the manager makes us feel that we can compete with any team in the league,” added Winks.

“We have the confidence to play and you can see today against a big side we played very well, and to get three points is fantastic for us.”