Uguccione, finding himself growing worse, went to Montecarlo to be cured, and left the command of the army in the hands of Castruccio.
This change brought about the ruin of the Guelphs, who, thinking that the hostile army having lost its captain had lost its head, grew over-confident.

Castruccio observed this, and allowed some days to pass in order to encourage this belief; he also showed signs of fear, and did not allow any of the munitions of the camp to be used.

On the other side, the Guelphs grew more insolent the more they saw these evidences of fear, and every day they drew out in the order of battle in front of the army of Castruccio.

Presently, deeming that the enemy was sufficiently emboldened, and having mastered their tactics, he decided to join battle with them.

First he spoke a few words of encouragement to his soldiers, and pointed out to them the certainty of victory if they would but obey his commands.