Cagliari continue flying Serie A start with impressive win at Atalanta
Cagliari continued their excellent start to the Serie A season with a 2-1 win over Atalanta in Bergamo, claiming a second consecutive head-to-head victory for the first time since 2018.
The result also gave Cagliari wins in each of their two away league matches only the third time in the clubs history that they have achieved that feat. With nine points from four games they have matched another early-season mark.
Match highlight
Cagliari arrived at the Gewiss Stadium on the back of growing momentum after a start and they began with real purpose. Alessandro Romano had the clear effort inside 15 minutes hitting a shot from distance that Marco Carnesecchi had to push around the post.
The visitors did not have to wait for the goal their early play deserved. In the minute Michel Adopo ran in behind the Atalanta defence and squared the ball for Paul Mendy. Mendy finished from range with the ball bouncing off the underside of the crossbar and over the line.
Cagliari continued to play on the foot. Their approach was aggressive at times. Daniel Maldini nearly doubled the lead with a curling shot that Carnesecchi saved well.
That save proved important because Atalanta equalised before half-time. Charles De Ketelaere drove through midfield in a run that looked as though it had been stopped by Cagliari defenders. The ball broke kindly for Gianluca Scamacca, who placed his finish into the corner.
Atalanta would have hoped that goal would change the match. Cagliari had ideas.
The visitors started the half on the attack and thought Mendy had put them back ahead after Romano played him through. A long VAR review. The goal was ruled out for a marginal offside as Mendy broke clear of the defence.
Cagliari soon got another opportunity. Sead Kolasinac handled the ball in the area. The referee awarded a penalty. Maldini stepped up. Sent his former team-mate Carnesecchi the wrong way to restore Cagliaris lead.
Atalanta struggled to find a response. Lazar Samardzic did produce one moment of quality late on weaving through a crowded penalty area before shooting narrowly wide. It was close. It did not change the result.
Cagliari defended their advantage through the closing stages. Left Bergamo with three more points. Their early return of nine points from four matches is the third such start, in the clubs Serie A history.
Atalanta had possession. Lacked the final pass and clear chances needed to force an equaliser. Cagliari were sharper when the important moments arrived. Maldinis penalty proved the difference.
