Cagliari left the Bluenergy Stadium with more than three points: the 1-0 win over Udinese confirmed the early authority of Fabio Pisacane’s side, now third in Serie A after a fourth victory in five matches. Daniel Maldini settled a difficult afternoon for the Sardinians, turning an Udinese defensive mistake into his third league goal of the campaign.
For Udinese and Kosta Runjaic, the result extended a damaging sequence. The home side created enough pressure to change the match, particularly after the interval, but met an outstanding Elia Caprile and paid heavily for one lapse at the back. It was their third defeat in succession.
Team news and a tense first half
Three players selected by Roberto Mancini for the forthcoming national-team fixtures started the contest: Romano and Maldini for Cagliari, and Nicolò Zaniolo for Udinese.
- Udinese were without the injured Oumar Solet, Palma, Arizala and Jakub Piotrowski.
- Zaniolo returned to Runjaic’s starting line-up in place of Unai Gómez, the only alteration from the team that began against Inter in the previous round.
- Cagliari travelled without Idrissi, Trepy and Felici.
- Yerry Mina returned in defence, while Pisacane placed Maldini and Michel Adopo behind Mendy.
- In the fourth minute, Zaniolo received an early yellow card for a heavy challenge on Obert. He responded by shooting from the edge of the area, but his off-balance effort missed the target.
- Cagliari then gave Udinese a major opening when Maldini misplaced a pass inside his own penalty area. Keinan Davis won possession, slipped the ball through Rodriguez’s legs and curled a left-footed attempt narrowly wide.
- Rodriguez was left on the ground in the 33rd minute after an accidental arm from Zaniolo. Cagliari appealed for a second booking, but referee Gianluca Manganiello judged there to have been no intent and kept his cards in his pocket.
- Udinese continued to push forward. Ekkelenkamp found Kamara, whose cross reached Zaniolo, but the forward failed to connect before Vojvoda sent a first-time effort over.
- Runjaic lost Davis to a muscular problem in the 38th minute, with Gueye taking his place. The substitute immediately intercepted a Caprile clearance, but his shot was blocked and Ekkelenkamp lifted the rebound over the bar.
The sides went into the break level, with Udinese frustrated by their missed chances and Cagliari still searching for a cleaner route through the home defence.
Maldini takes the opening
- Runjaic made a half-time change, replacing the booked Zaniolo with Chakvetadze.
- Udinese resumed with greater urgency. Caprile reacted sharply to Gueye’s header from a corner, then denied the same player again after Vojvoda released him down the channel.
- Kabasele also found Caprile in his way as Udinese sustained their pressure.
- Against that run of play, Cagliari scored in the 54th minute. Liam Miller’s back-pass caught Kabasele unprepared, allowing Maldini to take possession, round Maduka Okoye and roll the ball into the net.
- Runjaic responded by bringing on Unai Gómez for Miller, but Cagliari held their line. Caprile was required once more when Winks threatened an own goal.
Maldini’s finish carried particular weight after a difficult week following the car accident and the controversy that followed Cagliari’s match against Atalanta. His team-mates gathered around him after the goal, while his national-team call-up and decisive contribution offered a swift footballing response.
Cagliari’s rise gathers pace
The final whistle brought a second away win in a row for Cagliari, as well as a third consecutive league success. Pisacane’s group have collected four victories from their last five fixtures and have climbed to third place without showing any sign of being unsettled by the height of their position.
Udinese, meanwhile, will regret a match in which Davis, Gueye, Vojvoda and Kabasele all had moments to break the deadlock. Their pressure was real, but Caprile’s performance and Maldini’s calmness after the error by Miller and Kabasele decided the afternoon.
