MATCH REPORT | Venezia-Cagliari 2-1
Defeat for Cagliari in Venice, with the match ending 2-1 thanks to goals from Zampano, Oristanio, and Pavoletti – a bitter afternoon in the cold of the lagoon.
THE LINE-UP
The Rossoblu formation is the same as the one seen against Atalanta, with the only change being Gaetano replacing Luvumbo, who had to stop at the start of the second half against Atalanta due to an ankle issue.
EXTREME BALANCE
Not much happens in the first half as both teams study and respect each other, with low intensity. Cagliari holds possession, while Venezia looks to counter with the pace of Busio and Oristano. In the 20th minute, the first shot of the match comes from Zappa, whose left-footed effort goes wide after another nice build-up play from the back, leading to the forwards or wingers. Venezia responds with Pohjanpalo, who fires from outside the box, but the shot is deflected wide. The first half is full of duels. In the 23rd minute, another build-up, another left-footed shot, this time from Gaetano, who shoots high from a wide angle on the left.
VENEZIA’S ADVANTAGE
A huge chance in the 31st minute: Augello delivers a pinpoint free kick from the right, Mina meets it in the center of the area with a header, but Stankovic makes a superb instinctive save, showing his class. In the 39th minute, Zampano scores with Venezia’s first shot on goal: Oristano breaks free on the left, delivering a low cross to Zampano, who arrives at the far post and finishes with his right foot. Cagliari has controlled the game, but with just one shot on target, Venezia goes into halftime with the lead.
THE SECOND HALF
No changes at the start of the second half. In the 49th minute, Nicolussi Caviglia shoots from outside the box, but Sherri parries it out for a corner. The first substitution by Nicola comes in the 53rd minute, with Lapadula replacing Deiola. In the 55th minute, Sherri makes a double save on a long-range shot. In the 57th, Oristano has a free shot from outside the box, but his left-footed effort goes wide. After Gaetano’s header misses from a good position, in the 62nd minute, Oristano makes it 2-0 by cutting inside and beating Sherri, but the referee cancels the goal after VAR intervention. However, in the 67th minute, Sverko makes a run into the heart of the defense, and while falling, he doubles the lead.
CAGLIARI’S RESPONSE
In the 65th minute, Cagliari has a huge chance: a move that leads to Zortea crossing from the right, and Gaetano, diving for a header, sends it over the bar. Immediate changes follow: Marin and Felici replace Gaetano and Zortea. The final moves come with Pavoletti and Wieteska coming on for Piccoli and Mina as the game enters its closing stages. In the 76th minute, it’s Leonardo Pavoletti who sparks the reaction. Augello delivers a cross from the left, and the captain heads it in to pull one back. Zappa comes close to equalizing in the 80th minute with a stunning long-range shot, but Stankovic makes an incredible save, sending it out for a corner. Cagliari continues to press, with a dramatic chance in the 81st minute: a triple shot inside the area, but Venezia manages to clear it off the line. Despite Cagliari’s late pressure, the equalizer doesn’t come, and the match ends 2-1 in favor of the hosts.
