Udinese claimed a decisive 2-0 victory at Cagliari to secure three crucial points in their Serie A campaign, with goals from Aleksander Buksa and Idrissa Gueye sealing the win.
Cagliari entered this contest sitting 15th in the table with 37 points from 35 matches. Udinese arrived in 11th place with 47 points, looking to build on their recent form. The hosts needed a result to boost their survival hopes, while the visitors sought to consolidate their mid-table position.
The first half proved competitive but goalless. Cagliari controlled possession at 63 percent and created chances, with Sebastiano Esposito testing the Udinese defense on multiple occasions. The home side managed five shots on target but could not find the breakthrough. Udinese remained compact and dangerous on the counter-attack.
Cagliari's approach was direct and attacking. They registered 22 total shots but struggled with accuracy. The midfield battle remained intense throughout the opening 45 minutes. Both teams competed hard, with Cagliari's Joao Pedro receiving a yellow card in the 53rd minute for a challenge.
The second half brought a turning point. Aleksander Buksa broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, giving Udinese the lead. This goal shifted the momentum decisively toward the visitors. Cagliari pressed for an immediate response but found Udinese's defense resolute.
Udinese grew in confidence after Buksa's strike. Maduka Okoye made three crucial saves in goal to protect the lead. The Friuli side's defensive organization improved noticeably. Cagliari created chances but lacked the cutting edge to capitalize on them.
The match remained tense as the final whistle approached. Cagliari threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer. However, Udinese remained disciplined and patient. Idrissa Gueye sealed the victory in the 90+6th minute with a second goal, ending any hope of a Cagliari comeback.
The statistics reflected Udinese's clinical efficiency. Cagliari dominated possession with 63 percent but managed an expected goals figure of just 1.41. Udinese's xG of 2.17 proved more clinical in conversion. The visitors completed 253 of 331 passes with 76 percent accuracy despite controlling less of the ball.
Udinese's defense stood firm when required. Jesper Karlström and Hassane Kamara delivered strong performances in midfield. Okoye's three saves proved vital to securing the clean sheet. Cagliari's 22 shots illustrated their attacking intent but poor conversion cost them dearly.
This defeat leaves Cagliari struggling in 15th place with 37 points from 36 matches. Udinese climbed to 11th with 50 points from 36 matches. The result demonstrates the importance of clinical finishing in tight contests. Cagliari must improve their conversion rate in upcoming fixtures to avoid relegation trouble.
