Cagliari midfielder Andrea Cossu admits he's delighted with his role in the club's Great Escape this season.

Despite looking dead and buried with a month to go in the season, Cagliari fought back to secure top-flight football next term with a 2-0 win over Udinese last weekend.

"It's a marvellous feeling to get my first Serie A goal and secure survival - I couldn't ask for anything more," he enthused.

"My life has changed in these last six months and it was the icing on the cake to score in front of a packed stadium.

"I gave my contribution to keep my hometown club in the top flight. I am living a dream.

"In the end the true value of this group came out. The turning point was the game against Napoli and the decisive game was against Livorno."

Some experts have even dared to compare the resurgent Cossu to a former Sardinian hero Gianfranco Zola.

"I have no particular role models, even if I am happy to come close to Zola," Cossu grinned. "My favourite role is to play behind the strikers.

"I have to be grateful to my boss for throwing me into the mix against Torino and to the President who wanted me back and is happy with me."