Cagliari coach Gianfranco Zola is excited in his new job.

Chelsea legend Zola has only ever coached in Italy for the Under-21 side, where he shared the bench with Pierluigi Casiraghi - now his assistant in Sardinia.

"This is a new beginning for me, so I will have to rely on situations that I know well," said Zola.

He was hired on Christmas Eve after the dismissal of Zdenek Zeman.

"The squad seems in good condition. Marco Sau is improving, but it's premature to risk him, while Victor Ibarbo had a problem in training this morning.

"Palermo are on form and doing very well, but we will go there to play our football, aware that we have what it takes to hurt them.

"The midfield is currently Cagliari's strongest area, as we have many quality alternatives. Daniele Conti is mature and positive. At his age some players get grumpy, but it's good to see him always involved!"