MATCH REPORT | Atalanta-Cagliari 2-1

A more than honorable and bitter defeat for Cagliari, who played well in Bergamo but lost 2-1. There were many positives, a lot of courage, and a lot of skill, but in the end, the Nerazzurri prevailed.

THE CHOICES
Pisacane fully confirms his lineup against Roma in Bergamo: ahead of Caprile are Zappa, Luperto, Rodriguez, and Obert. Adopo has Deiola and Folorunsho in the middle. Up front, Borrelli has Palestra and Esposito alongside him.

ATALANTA SCORES
A splendid away stand with 865 loud and colorful fans cheering on the team. The first threat came in the 7th minute when Lookman ran and shot from the edge of offside, but Caprile blocked him and sent the tap-in wide with his left foot. A difficult start followed, and in the 11th minute, Lookman drove in from the left, crossed from the opposite side, and found Zappacosta, whose shot was then deflected into the net by Scamacca, who was close range. Cagliari regained control and attempted to keep the ball in order to attack. They created opportunities for shots several times but failed to find the net. Atalanta instead fired through Lookman in the 27th minute, but the defense denied the ball for a corner.

Bernasconi’s first yellow card came in the 33rd minute for a tactical foul on Palestra’s counterattack in Bergamo’s attacking midfield. In the 39th minute, Caprile made a good save on Scamacca’s central shot from a good position. Cagliari played well but were unable to get their shots off, despite consistently reaching the midfield.

Atalanta sting again in the 41st minute: a quick pass to Lookman on the left, a typical dribble, and a shot saved by Caprile, before De Keteleare’s tap-in was blocked by Obert in front of goal. At halftime, Atalanta were 1-0 up, but just as the clock was ticking, a powerful cross from Folorunsho from the left found Borrelli perfectly, who headed just wide.

THE SECOND HALF
The second half started similarly to the first, with Cagliari producing well. The first changes came in the 54th minute: Anahor replaced Djimsiti for Atalanta. In the 58th minute, Prati and Gaetano replaced Zappa and Borrelli. In the 66th minute, Zalewski replaced Bernasconi and Musah replaced Ederson. Pisacane replaced Idrissi with Rodriguez. Little happened until the 72nd minute, when Deiola was found well in depth but failed to strike. Cagliari dominated the game but failed to break through, but in the 75th minute, Gaetano struck a brilliant curling shot past the goalkeeper after a splendid three-way play.

SCAMACCA AGAIN
Cagliari were thrilled, returning to Carnesecchi’s area and sparking a sensation in the away side, who were marvelous at every turn. But in the 81st minute, Bergamo’s goal, once again through Scamacca, dampened their enthusiasm at Cagliari’s best moment. The striker did well to outwit Luperto in the duel. Cagliari were exposed, and Zalewski tested Caprile twice in the 86th minute.

In the 87th minute, Luvumbo and Pavoletti came on for Adopo and Luperto. Everyone was on the attack, chasing a deserved point. Luvumbo scored, but was found offside.

It ends 2-1, a great disappointment after an excellent performance. On to the next game, Pisa on Sunday.