Cagliari claim a vital survival battle at the Franchi, punishing Fiorentina’s defensive lapses and riding Palestra’s brilliance and Caprile’s saves.
Cagliari came away from Florence with three precious points, defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in a direct relegation battle and dealing a blow to the Viola’s recent momentum. After four straight positive results, Fiorentina slipped back into danger, while Davide Nicola’s side breathed new life into their survival hopes.
It was an emotionally charged evening at the Franchi, the first home match without president Rocco Commisso, remembered in a moving pre-match atmosphere. On the pitch, however, quality was scarce in the early stages, and the opening goal arrived almost unexpectedly. In the 31st minute, Kilicsoy rose to head goalward, with a decisive deflection off Comuzzo completely wrong-footing De Gea and putting Cagliari ahead.
Fiorentina tried to respond through Gudmundsson, but Caprile stood firm, denying the Icelander with a crucial save. The turning point came immediately after the break. Cagliari struck on the counter: Esposito released Palestra, who showed great composure, shifted the ball onto his stronger foot and finished clinically to make it 2-0.
Vincenzo Italiano reacted by turning to his bench, and the introduction of Brescianini finally gave Fiorentina some spark. The former Atalanta midfielder pulled one back in the 74th minute, timing his run perfectly to meet Dodò’s cross and set up a tense finale.
The equalizer looked possible, but Cagliari held their nerve. Caprile once again proved decisive, while Mina produced a heroic last-ditch intervention to deny Brescianini a second goal that would have made it 2-2. At the final whistle, it was Cagliari celebrating a win worth its weight in gold.
Match Report
Fiorentina 1-2 Cagliari
Goals:
31’ Kilicsoy (Cagliari)
47’ Palestra (Cagliari)
74’ Brescianini (Fiorentina)
Fiorentina (4-3-3):
De Gea; Dodò, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Gosens; Mandragora (Fabbian 46’), Fagioli, Ndour (Harrison 59’); Solomon (Fortini 83’), Piccoli, Gudmundsson.
Coach: Vanoli
Cagliari (3-5-2):
Caprile; Zé Pedro, Mina, Luperto; Palestra (Zappa 81’), Adopo, Mazzitelli (Prati 80’), Gaetano, Obert (Idrissi 80’); Esposito (Sulemana 64’), Kilicsoy (Borrelli 71’).
Coach: Pisacane
Referee: Guida
Yellow cards: Pongracic, Comuzzo (Fiorentina); Caprile, Mina, Zé Pedro (Cagliari)
Red cards: None
