MATCH REPORT | Fiorentina-Cagliari 1-2

Another great victory for Cagliari, who beat Florence 2-1. Goals from Kilicsoy and Palestra decided a tough match, but one played with calm, focus, and cynicism, as well as a team-wide display of perseverance when needed. This victory, their second in a row and their third on the road, secures a mid-table finish and a significant step towards staying up.

THE CHOICES
Pisacane confirms the lineup seen against Juventus, with Caprile in goal and a defense of Zé Pedro, Mina, and Luperto, with Palestra and Obert on the flanks. The former Atalanta player, as always, acts as a pivot down the flank, allowing the Rossoblu to shift their tactical setup. Gaetano plays as playmaker in the middle, alongside Adopo and Mazzitelli. Up front, Esposito and Kilicsoy line up.

KILICSOY BREAKS THE BREAK, CAPRILE MAKES A SAVE
Ready, go, and Gudmundsson just misses the post to Caprile’s left after a few seconds. Fiorentina starts well and dominates the game, but Cagliari deploys with order and courage on all fronts: in the 6th minute, Palestra shoots but is blocked for a corner. The visitors break the deadlock in the 31st minute: Zé Pedro plays a long ball from the defense, and on the right, Palestra crosses perfectly to the far post, where Kilicsoy heads in after a deflection off Comuzzo. Sardinia takes the lead, and the Turk scores his third goal of the season. Mazzitelli then tries from outside the box, but the ball goes high. Caprile saves everything from Gudmundsson in the 34th minute, who maneuvers well in the box and is blocked by the goalkeeper.

IMMEDIATE DOUBLE
Cagliari doubled their lead right away through Palestra: a lightning-fast counterattack, Esposito found the Rossoblu winger who broke free and scored with a diagonal right-footed shot. It was a superb goal, thanks in part to the team’s unstoppable effort. Fiorentina tried to respond, but in the 53rd minute, Ndour made a save from Kilicsoy, who could have made it three. Then, in the 60th minute, Brescianini and Harrison came on for Ndour and Gosens, while Cagliari replaced Esposito in the 64th minute. In the 56th minute, Pongracic was booked for his first yellow card of the match. Gudmundsson tried a curling shot, but the Icelander’s shot went just wide. In the 71st minute, Pisacane brought Kilicsoy back for Borrelli, effectively changing the attack to ensure fresh energy up front.

BRESCIANINI REOPENS THE WAY
In the 74th minute, Brescianini beats Zé Pedro to make it 2-1 on a low cross from Dodo from the right: the Brazilian had received it from Solomon after dribbling. In the 79th minute—while Idrissi, Prati, and Zappa also come in to shore up their team—first Mina and then Caprile make saves in a melee and from Fabbian. Cagliari holds firm, and in the 97th minute, Borrelli’s diagonal shot could have sealed the victory, but De Gea saves. Time is running out, and Cagliari advances to Florence.