MATCH REPORT | Milan-Cagliari 1-1
A combative and tenacious Cagliari secures a valuable point at San Siro against Milan. Nicola’s team shows ideas and character, resisting the Rossoneri’s attacks and finding the equalizer with a beautiful team move finished off by Nadir Zortea. The standout player is Elia Caprile, who makes decisive saves to seal the result, all within a gritty and solid team performance.
BALANCE AND SKEPTICISM
The match begins with an aggressive Milan, looking to put immediate pressure on the Cagliari defense. After just 4 minutes, Caprile is called into action to stop a shot from Reijnders. Cagliari responds in the 7th minute with a well-executed move on the right, orchestrated by Zortea and finished off by a spectacular yet inaccurate acrobatic attempt from Viola. The Rossoneri continue to push, relying on the creativity of Leao and Pulisic. In the 40th minute, Felici comes close to giving Cagliari the lead: his curling shot from the edge of the box forces Maignan into a great save. The teams head into halftime at 0-0, with a compact Cagliari and a slightly inaccurate Milan.
EXCHANGE OF BLOWS
In the second half, Milan quickly accelerates and takes the lead in the 51st minute: after a rebound off the post from a Pulisic shot, Morata is the quickest to react, pouncing on the ball and scoring to make it 1-0. Cagliari’s response is immediate, and in the 55th minute, they equalize: Felici leads a counterattack, and the ball reaches Zortea, who calmly slots it past Maignan with a precise diagonal shot. It’s the fourth goal of the season for the Cagliari right-back, who is becoming an increasingly prominent figure. Milan doesn’t back down and increases the pressure. In the 61st minute, Caprile saves the day with a crucial stop against Pulisic, blocking a close-range shot with his body. The Cagliari goalkeeper repeats his heroics in the 80th minute, outwitting Abraham in a dangerous one-on-one situation. The final minutes are a battle. In the 95th minute, Caprile is once again decisive, parrying a central shot from Hernandez. The final whistle blows, confirming a precious draw for Cagliari, who, through sacrifice and unity, earn a well-deserved point against a top-level opponent. This result is another sign of Cagliari’s growth, as they prove capable of playing with confidence even against top-tier teams. Nicola’s men demonstrate defensive solidity and great team spirit, with Caprile having a standout performance. The draw at San Siro provides a boost of confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
