Bologna restored momentum in Sardinia, leaving the Unipol Domus with a 2-0 win over Cagliari in Serie A’s eighth round. Raffaele Palladino’s side responded to their defeat against Inter with a composed second-half display, settled by Nicolò Casale’s first goal for the club and Federico Bernardeschi’s late penalty.
For Cagliari, the afternoon extended an unhappy run. After the 4-0 defeat in Monza, they suffered a second successive loss and remained on 13 points, unable to turn a competitive opening hour into a result.
A restrained first half
The opening 45 minutes offered little space and few clear chances, with both teams feeling their way through a cautious contest. Bologna initially looked to release Jens Odgaard beyond the defence, but Elia Caprile was quick from his area to reach the ball first.
Cagliari gradually took more territory and tested Bologna’s defensive concentration. Casale intervened ahead of Mendy after a low delivery from Daniel Maldini, while Arthur Theate dealt with a crowded penalty area following another Maldini corner.
The home side’s best first-half chance arrived in the 26th minute. Adopo’s cross found Mendy, whose acrobatic effort drifted narrowly wide. Bologna replied soon afterwards when Bernardeschi picked out Odgaard, but the forward’s angled right-footed strike was turned behind by Caprile.
Bernardeschi also forced the goalkeeper into action from a free-kick from around 25 metres before the interval, but the sides went in level after a measured and largely uneventful half.
Casale breaks the balance
Bologna returned with greater purpose after the restart and made their pressure count in the 57th minute. Miranda delivered a corner, Bologna’s fifth of the second half, and Casale rose above the Cagliari defence to direct a firm header into the corner.
It was Casale’s first goal in Bologna colours and his second in Serie A. The defender’s finish changed the shape of the match, leaving Cagliari to chase an equaliser after having held their visitors for almost an hour.
The Sardinians did attempt to answer. Maldini sent Mendy through with a forward pass, but Bologna recovered in time to disrupt the chance at the crucial moment.
Instead, Bologna found a second goal late on. Rodriguez handled Bernardeschi’s shot inside the penalty area, and Bernardeschi converted from the spot to secure the points.
The result gives Palladino’s Bologna a valuable response after the Inter setback, while Cagliari must regroup quickly after another afternoon in which effort and possession did not bring reward.
