Cagliari-Sassuolo 2-1: Pavoletti ensures victory for Ranieri’s team

At Unipol Domus, a gripping Serie A 2023/2024 match unfolded between Cagliari and Sassuolo.

The game started with a pulsating rhythm, with Sassuolo player Matheu Enrique making a near miss on a header in the 8th minute.

This pulse-racing episode was followed by an early goal for Sassuolo by Erlic in the 10th minute.

An unsavoury incident occurred in the 16th minute when a clash with Sulemana led to a dental injury for Thorstvedt. The Sassuolo player managed to return to the pitch after receiving medical treatment.

Cagliari exerted pressure, seeking an equalizing goal, but the players under the direction of Ranieri struggled with the final pass.

Sassuolo’s Thorstvedt was red-carded in the 63rd minute, giving Cagliari an edge with ten men on the field.

Despite their numerical advantage, Cagliari struggled to find an equalizer, with Sassuolo attempting to run down the clock.

In the 89th minute, a goal by Bajrami was ruled offside on an assist from Volpato.

The match took an unexpected turn in injury time with Cagliari’s Lapadula finding the back of the net in the 93rd minute.

Adding to Sassuolo’s woes, Cagliari’s Pavoletti, who turned the tide for his team with his entry, scored a wonderful overhead kick in the 97th minute, sealing the deal for the hosts.

As the match ended, Pavoletti was hailed as the man of the match for his game-changing performance.

The final score read Cagliari 2, Sassuolo 1.

Cagliari’s line-up (4-3-2-1): Scuffet; Zappa, Goldaniga, Dossena, Augello; Nandez, Prati, Sulemana; Viola, Oristanio; Lapadula. Managed by Ranieri.

Sassuolo’s line-up (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Tressoldi, Vina; Racic, M.Henrique; Castillejo, Thorstvedt, Laurienté; Pinamonti. Managed by Dionisi.