Serie A: Cagliari Edge Verona 1-0 to Claim Third Win of the Season

Cagliari picked up their third win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona, thanks to Roberto Piccoli's late strike.

Cagliari secured their third win of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona on Friday evening. The decisive moment came courtesy of Roberto Piccoli, who showcased his predatory instincts with a clinical finish. This win propelled Cagliari above Roma and into 12th place in the Serie A standings, albeit temporarily.

Prior to kickoff, the two teams were separated by a mere point, with both sides having struggled to find consistency in recent outings. Each team had managed only one win in their last five Serie A matches, setting the stage for a closely contested encounter. However, it was Cagliari who ultimately dominated possession, controlling 65% of the ball throughout the match.

Despite their dominance, Cagliari were unable to break the deadlock until the final quarter of an hour. The team's persistence eventually paid off, as they managed to create 14 shots over the course of the 90 minutes, with three of those efforts finding their way on target. The decisive goal, scored by Piccoli, proved to be the difference-maker in an otherwise tightly contested match.

Piccoli capped off a well-executed team move initiated from a throw-in deep in the opposition's territory. A slick exchange between Antoine Makoumbou and second-half substitute Mattia Felici on the left wing created space, ultimately freeing Piccoli to deliver the finishing touch in the area.

Mattia Felici delivered a precise, low-driven cross from the byline, which Roberto Piccoli expertly converted on his first touch from the edge of the six-yard box. This solitary goal proved sufficient for the hosts, who tenaciously clung to their advantage for the remainder of the match.

The victory propelled Cagliari to 12th place in the Serie A standings, temporarily leapfrogging Roma, who slipped to 13th position. Meanwhile, Hellas Verona remains stuck in 16th place with 12 points from 14 matches. The team's precarious position could potentially worsen by the end of the weekend, depending on the outcomes of upcoming matches involving Monza and Como, which could mathematically see Verona drop into the relegation zone.