MATCH REPORT | UDINESE-CAGLIARI 0-1

Cagliari come away from Udine with another three points to continue their impressive start to the season. A hard-fought victory built on character and determination, with the Rossoblù standing firm under sustained pressure from Udinese to secure three precious points.

The opening minutes pass without any major chances, as both sides look to settle into the game. The first booking arrives in the 4th minute, with Zaniolo shown a yellow card for a heavy challenge on Obert. Cagliari then threaten for the first time, with Mendy trying to curl a right-footed effort towards the far corner, but his shot goes wide. Midway through the first half, Udinese create the first real opportunity of the match: Maldini’s misplaced pass inside the area is intercepted by Davis, who beats Rodríguez before curling a left-footed effort just wide. In the 34th minute, Ekkelenkamp finds Kamara on the left. His low cross reaches Zaniolo, who fails to make contact, before Vojvoda fires over from a promising position. Another chance comes for the hosts before the break: Caprile takes a risk with his clearance, Gueye intercepts and shoots, but the Cagliari goalkeeper makes the save with his leg. The teams go into half-time level at 0-0.

Udinese start the second half strongly: from a corner, Gueye rises to meet the ball with a header, but Caprile tips it onto the crossbar. A few minutes later, the Rossoblù goalkeeper is called into action again, this time producing an outstanding save to deny Kabasele from just two yards out.
Cagliari take the lead in the 54th minute: a defensive mix-up from the hosts allows Maldini to pounce on a misplaced back pass. With a clever feint, he sends Okoye the wrong way before finishing with his left foot.
With 10 minutes remaining, Udinese come close again, but Caprile produces another superb save to keep out a deflected effort from Winks that was threatening to turn into an own goal.
The hosts push forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but Cagliari hold firm to secure a 1-0 victory. It is the Rossoblù’s fourth win in the opening five league matches, taking them to 12 points and confirming their impressive start to the season.

UDINESE-CAGLIARI 0-1

GOALS: 54′ Maldini

UDINESE: Okoye; Abankwah, Kabasele, Ebosse; Vojvoda, Miller (57’ Unai Gómez), Karlstrom, Kamara (71’ Zanoli); Zaniolo (46’ Chakvetadze), Ekkelenkamp; Davis (38’ Gueye). Allenatore: Runjaic.

CAGLIARI: Caprile; Zé Pedro, MIna, Rodríguez (59’ Sugawara), Obert; Romano (85’ Gagliardini), Winks, Deiola; Adopo, Maldini (59’ Kevin Carlos), Mendy (85’ Fadera). Allenatore: Pisacane

BOOKED: 4′ Zaniolo, 22′ Karlström.