Bring on the Cup Final

Dag Jenkins
May 11, 2024
4 min read

Season 2018-19

Game 36, Serie A

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Sardegna Arena, Cagliari

Cagliari Lazio 1-2

Ideal build up to imminent Coppa Italia final with a convincing 2-1 win in Sardinia

In Serie A Lazio were currently in 8th place on 55 points, 7 points from 4th placed Atalanta (in last CL slot) and 4 from Milan (in last EL slot). Lazio had won 16 (including Cagliari 3-1, second derby 3-0 and Inter 1-0 away), drawn 7 and lost 12 (including first derby 1-3 and most recently 1-3 at home to Atalanta).

Cagliari were 13th and almost safe on 40 points (+8 on Empoli). They had won 10 (including Inter 2-1 at home), drawn 10 and lost 15 (including Lazio 1-3 and most recently Napoli 1-2 away).

A classic end of season game today with neither side with much to play for although Cagliari needed one more point to be mathematically safe. For Lazio it was a training game for Wednesday's cup final hoping they did not suffer any injuries.

The match

A sunny day in the nice seaside city of Cagliari attracted just over 16,000 spectators for this late afternoon Saturday game.

Lazio had midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic out injured and with the upcoming cup final in mind decided to rest goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, midfielder Lucas Leiva and forward Ciro Immobile.

Cagliari were without defenders Luca Ceppitelli and Paolo Faragò plus midfielder Artur Ioniță.

Lazio took control of the game from the word go. Luis Alberto and Marco Parolo dominated in midfield and Joaquín Correa was lively up front.

In the 5th minute a one-two between Correa and Felipe Caicedo put the Ecuadorian in front of the keeper but his chip was touched by Alessio Cragno and ended up just over the bar.

Next it was Luis Alberto who threatened with a powerful curling shot from the left but Cragno parried well.

Lazio continued to be superior and scored in the 31st minute. A prolonged team move then saw Adam Marusic cut the ball back from near the right byline to Luis Alberto just inside the area and the Andalusian hit a low shot into the right hand corner, 0-1.

Lazio insisted and almost doubled the score with Milan Badelj whose blistering long range strike came back off the crossbar. Halftime Cagliari 0 Lazio 1. Total domination so far by the Romans.

Lazio started off as they had finished and doubled the score in the 53rd minute. An inspired Luis Alberto surged forward on a counter attack and pushed the ball into Correa's path and the Argentine raced into the box and beat Cragno with a low left foot towards the far post, 0-2.

A few minutes later the Sardinians made a double change: forward Alberto Cerri for midfielder Simone Padoin and Filip Bradaric for Luca Cigarini. In the 62nd minute Lazio took off Badelj and brought on Danilo Cataldi.

At this point the hosts finally responded and a long distance Nicolò Barella effort was parried away by Silvio Proto. The Belgian keeper was then excellent in denying Alessandro Deiola from close range.

In the 74th minute Lazio took off Stefan Radu and put on Bastos.

In the 77th minute the Rossoblu changed attacking midfielder João Pedro with Lucas Castro.

Lazio still threatened on the break and Parolo shaved the post with a low right footed shot.

With just over five minutes to go Lazio took off man of the match Luis Alberto and gave Ciro Immobile a few minutes run around before the cup final

The game seemed under control for Lazio but this changed in the 91st minute. Castro floated a good cross into the area and Leonardo Pavoletti beat a hesitant Bastos and put a header past Proto on the far post, 1-2.

Fortunately for Lazio it was too little too late for Casteddu and after another slightly apprehensive four minutes of added time the referee blew up. Final score: Cagliari 1 Lazio 2.

A thoroughly deserved three points for Lazio who had been the better team. Lazio's superiority had been clear with Luis Alberto at the top of his game. Good preparation for Wednesday's final against Atalanta, a win and no injuries.

In Serie A the Biancocelesti were still 8th, on 58 points and still four from the last Europa League. The only way now was via the Coppa Italia.

Cagliari were still 13th, with Fiorentina on 40 points (+5 on Empoli who had beaten Sampdoria 2-1 away). With two games to go the Sardinians were realistically not in any real trouble.

Who played for Cagliari

Cragno, Cacciatore, Klavan, Romagna, Pellegrini, Padoin (57' Cerri), Cigarini (57' Bradaric), Deiola, Barella, Joao Pedro (77' Castro), Pavoletti

Substitutes: Rafael, Aresti, Srna, Pisacane, Lykogiannis, Oliva, Théréau, Birsa, Despodov

Manager: Maran (suspended and assistant Maraner on bench today)

Who played for Lazio

Proto, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu (74' Bastos), Marusic, Parolo, Badelj (62' Cataldi), Luis Alberto (84' Immobile), Lulic, Correa, Caicedo