Harry Winks said the togetherness of Fabio Pisacane's squad had been central to a 2-1 win at Atalanta that lifted Cagliari to second place in Serie A, level with Inter and Roma after four matches.
"Since I arrived I've been welcomed very well, we fight for the manager and for this team. We're a very united team, that's our real strength, and we're happy to have taken this win home," Winks told DAZN. Asked about the potential of teenage midfielder Adam Romano, who provided the assist for Paul Mendy's opener, Winks was enthusiastic.
"He's a fantastic young talent, I think with the manager's work he can go very far."
Pisacane said his side's togetherness out of possession had been just as important as their attacking quality in securing back-to-back wins.
"We want to make our people proud, technically speaking we want to bring real ferocity to the pitch because we need that. I told the lads we want to play attractive football, but we mustn't forget that for a team like ours, putting your soul into the defensive phase makes all the difference," Pisacane said.
Asked whether he had expected such a strong start to the season, the Cagliari coach pointed to the travelling support as a measure of the shift under way at the club.
"I hope that among the 682 supporters who joined us here in Bergamo there's someone who has experienced these emotions. This win isn't the destination, it's confirmation that we're on the right path. Playing for each other can make us a nuisance for anyone, otherwise our limitations show, as happened against Verona," he said.
Pisacane reserved special praise for Romano, who has committed his international future to Italy.
"I think I have a gem in my hands and a huge responsibility. The boy has his feet on the ground, he knows where he wants to go. We have to nurture him and feed that part of his game that still needs developing. As an Italian I'm delighted he's chosen our national team, he's a top-level player who will go far," Pisacane said, before dedicating the win to club figure Roberto Muzzi following the death of his father.
Reflecting on his own growth as a coach, Pisacane said this season's foundations had been built on lessons learned.
"The successes aren't mine, they belong to everyone. This year we didn't start from zero, and the solidity we're showing is down to the work done last season," he said.