PRIMAVERA 1 | Empoli-Cagliari 2-3

The “rossoblù” Under-20 team put on a show of strength, defeating Empoli on Matchday 9 of the season. The match in Tuscany ended 3-2 thanks to a spectacular first half, with three goals scored in less than half an hour. From there, they simply controlled Empoli’s predictable response and secured their second consecutive victory, following last week’s victory over Como.

SUGAMELE ON FIRE

Cagliari took the lead early on, coming close to scoring with a left-footed shot from Sugamele just wide and a run from Piro thwarted by the goalkeeper. Unleashed, Sugamele scored a brace in five minutes, first with a left-footed shot into the top corner, then with a clever touch from the goalkeeper’s exit. The Ciociaria striker, who has also played for the first team, has seven league goals. Only Cagliari were in the running: Piro made it three, his left-footed strike from outside the box leaving Vettore with no chance.
Empoli tried to react and closed the gap before the end of the half: Perin’s free kick was met by Rugani, who cut through the defense, and Orlandi headed in from close range.

EMPOLI MAKES THEMSELVES DANGEROUS

After halftime, Nuvoli replaced Lo Verde, who had been booked. In the 52nd minute, a free kick from an inviting position went to Perin, but Kehayov was well-positioned and blocked it. The game changed with a pass to Sugamele, who was prevented by Vettore’s exit.
The home side earned a series of free kicks, with Kehayov and the Rossoblu defense keeping a close eye on the ball. This was the case in the 67th minute when the Bulgarian goalkeeper tipped Orlandi’s effort from the edge of the area over the crossbar. Tronci and Cardu came on to replace Costa. Cagliari had slowed down, but remained in control. In the 80th minute, Sugamele found the perfect cross for Cardu, but the Rossoblu striker was uncoordinated and unable to direct the ball into the net.
Gallego completed the substitutions in the 86th minute, bringing on Hamdaoua and Piredda for Sugamele and Goryanov.
In the second minute of added time, Pisani further reduced the deficit with a piece of individual skill. The Tuscan player was sent off immediately afterward. It was too late to recover.
Cagliari climbed to 14 points and settled into a solitary seventh place, just four points off the top of the table.
Lazio arrives at the CRAI Sport Center on Sunday.

EMPOLI: Vettore, Covelli (77′ Fade), Antonini, Mazzi (69′ Alan Orlandi), Perin (84′ Murolo), Orlandi Andrea, Mureddu, Huqi, Berizzi (46′ Pisani), Rugani, Meznar (77′ Valme) – Available Giusti, Bruno, Ferrer, Lupoli, Silvestri, Blini – Coach: Filippeschi.

CAGLIARI: Kehayov, Grandu, Prettenhofer, Mawassa, Lo Verde (46′ Nuvoli), Bahlaouan, Akarakiri (69′ Tronci), Piro, Goryanov (86′ Piredda), Costa (69′ Cardu), Sugamele (86′ Hamdaoua) – Available Sarno, Mehlstrand, Battaglini, Doppio – Coach: Gallego.

REFEREE: Dorillo from Torino.

RETI: 17′, 22′ Sugamele, 27′ Piro, 42′ Orlandi, 90+2 Pisani.

NOTE: Pisani was sent off in the 92nd minute for a second yellow card.