Cagliari let a second-half comeback slip away as Pisa snatch a dramatic equalizer at the death in a tense relegation battle at the Unipol Domus.
Cagliari’s afternoon was a mix of resurgence and frustration as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Pisa in a crucial head-to-head clash at the bottom end of the Serie A table. A strong second-half reaction from the Sardinians looked set to deliver three vital points, but a last-gasp goal from Stefano Moreo ensured the visitors left with a share of the spoils.
The first half was balanced and cagey, with few clear chances until Pisa found the breakthrough just before halftime. A moment of carelessness from Adopo inside the box saw the midfielder handle the ball, and referee Forneau pointed straight to the spot. Former Cagliari man Matteo Tramoni stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to give the Tuscan side a 1-0 lead going into the break.
Everything changed after halftime. Cagliari returned to the pitch with far more intensity and were rewarded in the 59th minute. Gabriele Zappa delivered a precise cross from the right, and Michael Folorunsho rose highest to head home the equalizer. In the process, however, Folorunsho collided heavily with the post and was forced to leave the field well before full time.
The momentum was now firmly with the hosts. In the 71st minute, Cagliari completed the turnaround with a well-worked team move. Gianluca Gaetano provided the assist, setting up Semih Kılıçsoy, who unleashed an unstoppable right-footed strike for his first-ever goal in Serie A.
Just when it seemed the comeback was complete, Pisa showed resilience. Introduced from the bench, Moreo made an immediate impact, latching onto a pass from fellow substitute Leris and scoring from close range in the 90th minute to silence the Unipol Domus and seal the final 2-2 scoreline.
A draw that feels like a missed opportunity for Cagliari, while Pisa will take confidence from their late response in a match that could prove decisive in the fight for survival.
Match Report
Cagliari 2-2 Pisa
Goals:
45’ (pen) Tramoni (P), 59’ Folorunsho (C), 71’ Kılıçsoy (C), 90’ Moreo (P)
Cagliari (4-3-2-1):
Caprile; Palestra, Mina, Juan Rodríguez, Obert (46’ Idrissi); Folorunsho (63’ Mazzitelli), Adopo (55’ Zappa), Deiola; Esposito, Gaetano (83’ Cavuoti); Kılıçsoy (82’ Borrelli).
Coach: Pisacane.
Pisa (3-5-2):
Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo (74’ Calabresi), Bonfanti; Touré (81’ Leris), Piccinini (74’ Moreo), Aebischer, Højbjerg, Angori; Tramoni (82’ Lorran), Meister.
Coach: Gilardino.
Referee: Forneau
Yellow cards: Adopo, Mina, Esposito (Cagliari); Bonfanti, Calabresi (Pisa)
Red cards: None
