MATCH REPORT | Cagliari-Napoli 0-1

Cagliari fell to Napoli at the Unipol Domus, narrowly defeating them 1-0 thanks to a lightning strike from McTominay after less than two minutes. The visitors took control of the match from the start, managing to maintain their lead and containing the Rossoblu’s reaction in the second half.

Pisacane’s team got off to a shocking start, going behind practically on their first play. Less than two minutes later, Politano crossed the ball into the middle, Beukema headed it over, and after Buongiorno’s failed attempt, the ball found McTominay, who, after a rebound off the post, tapped in from close range to make it 0-1.

Napoli continued to push and almost doubled their lead immediately: first Politano tested Caprile with a free kick, then McTominay threatened again following a corner. The Rossoblu struggled to break free from the Azzurri’s pressure and only managed to threaten in the 20th minute, when a build-up error by Olivera freed Esposito in front of Milinkovic-Savic; however, the striker’s diagonal shot went wide, wasting a great chance to equalize. The first half ended with Napoli in control and a one-goal lead, while Cagliari attempted to reorganize but were unable to create any further concrete threats.

In the second half, the initial script remained unchanged: Napoli once again threatened, first with De Bruyne from distance—Caprile was alert to parry—and then with Politano, who was again stopped by the Rossoblu goalkeeper with a timely exit. As the minutes ticked by, Cagliari attempted to raise their game. In the 55th minute, Conte was forced to make a substitution with Lobotka, who wasn’t at his best, being replaced by Santos. The home side found a good opportunity with Gaetano, whose shot from the edge of the area just missed the post. Pisacane then attempted to increase their attacking presence by bringing on Kilicsoy for Folorunsho. Towards the end, the Rossoblu increased the pressure in search of an equalizer and, in injury time, created their last chance of the match: a dangerous cross crossed the penalty area, but Spinazzola made a decisive save in front of his own net, saving Napoli from trouble. After the last chance was squandered, the match ended with a victory for the Azzurri. Cagliari remains disappointed by a difficult start that ultimately determined the match, while Napoli took home three precious points thanks to careful management of their lead.

SCOREBOARD
CAGLIARI-NAPOLI 0-1
CAGLIARI: Caprile; Zé Pedro (73’ Mendy), Mina, Dossena; Palestra, Adopo (73’ Deiola), Gaetano, Sulemana, J. Rodriguez (84’ Raterink); Se. Esposito (84’ Trepy), Folorunsho (65’ Kilicsoy). All: Pisacane
NAPOLI: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Buongiorno, Olivera (84’ Juan Jesus); Politano (77’ Spinazzola), Gilmour (77’ Anguissa), Lobotka (55’ Alisson Santos), Gutierrez; De Bruyne, McTominay; Hojlund. All: Conte
REFEREE: Maurizio Mariani (Aprilia)
GOAL: 2’ McTominay (N)
YELLOW CARDS: Lobotka (N), Zé Pedro (C), Olivera (N), Dossena (C)
NOTES: recupero 2’+5′