Pisa secured a vital 3-1 Serie A victory over Cagliari at Arena Garibaldi, with Antonio Caracciolo's second-half double proving decisive despite Pisa playing much of the match with ten men.
Entering the match, both Pisa and Cagliari desperately sought crucial points to improve their league standings. Pisa languished at the bottom of Serie A, enduring a challenging run of form. Cagliari, though positioned higher in 15th, also struggled for consistent results.
The home side started with vigor, seizing an early advantage. Stefano Moreo confidently converted a penalty in the ninth minute, sending the Arena Garibaldi crowd into celebration.
Pisa's early momentum suffered a setback just before halftime. Romeo Durosinmi received a direct red card in the 37th minute for a tripping offense, reducing Pisa to ten men.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Pisa's defense showed resilience. Cagliari pressed for an equalizer, yet they failed to convert any clear opportunities. Pisa managed to protect their slender lead.
The half-time whistle blew with Pisa leading but facing a daunting task. Cagliari needed to capitalize on their extra man. Pisa required disciplined defending and opportunistic counter-attacks.
Pisa delivered a stunning performance immediately after the restart. Antonio Caracciolo found the net twice in quick succession. His first goal came in the 52nd minute, followed by another just two minutes later.
Caracciolo's rapid double propelled Pisa to a shocking 3-0 lead. This individual effort galvanized the ten-man home side and stunned their opponents. Cagliari's hopes for an easy second half evaporated.
Cagliari fought to respond, making several attacking substitutions. Leonardo Pavoletti pulled a goal back in the 67th minute. His effort offered a glimmer of hope for the visitors and reduced the shortfall.
Any potential Cagliari comeback was effectively extinguished as tensions flared. Albert Obert received his second yellow card in the 81st minute, leading to his dismissal. Both teams finished the match with ten players.
Pisa's victory was a testament to efficiency. They controlled just 29% of the ball but generated a higher Expected Goals (xG) of 2.47. Cagliari, with 71% possession, managed an xG of only 1.18.
This crucial 3-1 win provides a much-needed morale boost for Pisa, potentially igniting a late-season revival against relegation. Cagliari faces further scrutiny after a frustrating performance, unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
