Primavera 1 | Cagliari wins in Florence

Cagliari secured a narrow victory away to league leaders Fiorentina, with the Rossoblu conquering Viola Park thanks to a solid performance and a first-half goal from Mendy. The victory built on defensive solidity and the ability to withstand key moments, marking their second consecutive win after the one against Atalanta this week, proving that a growing squad is now reaping the benefits of a mixed start to the season.

The start was cautious on both sides, with a slow tempo and few vertical passes. Cagliari had their first real chance in the 5th minute, when Malfitano fired from distance and was met by Leonardelli’s attentive save. The game remained stalemated, with numerous technical errors in the build-up and few dangerous situations. The decisive moment came in the 20th minute: Cagliari’s well-organized move, Cogoni crossed from the left, and Mendy anticipated the Viola defense and tapped in the 0-1 goal. It was the Rossoblu striker’s fifth goal of the season, his fourth in the league. Fiorentina felt the blow and struggled to react, while Cagliari increased their defensive intensity and closed down the spaces. Late in the first half, the Viola came close to equalizing through Conti, but Kehayov responded with a save at the near post. On the counterattack, Sulev squandered a great counterattack opportunity, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

In the second half, Cagliari changed their defensive setup with three substitutions and settled for a lower center of gravity. Fiorentina attempted to increase the pressure, relying primarily on wide runs, but failed to find consistency or central openings. Kehayov controlled Viola’s crosses with ease, proving confident in his exits. The match-changing incident came in the 77th minute, when Fiorentina were awarded a penalty: Braschi wrong-footed the goalkeeper but fired over, wasting a great chance to equalize. In the closing stages, Fiorentina unleashed a very attacking setup, while Cagliari controlled the game with order and attempted to break up the rhythm through counterattacks and set pieces.

The match ended 0-1, a great victory and three important points for Checco Pisano’s rossoblù.