[Forza_Roma]

Good result for Cagliari

Serie A Week 30 - 1/4/07 (14.00 UK)

Cagliari 2 - 0 Messina
Biondini 12 (C), Budel 24 (C)
Stadio Sant'Elia

Cagliari got back on track with a potentially decisive result in the relegation race that keeps Messina in the bottom three.

This was a relegation six-pointer between teams that have recently had a change of management. Marco Giampaolo's men had lost three of their last five games, while the Sicilians were still smarting from their 3-0 home defeat to Torino.

Only some very brave defending stopped Sergio Floccari opening the scoring early on. The Messina forward lobbed the goalkeeper and was six yards in front of an empty net, but Diego Lopez stuck with him and got a kick in the face as he smothered the shot.

However, it was Cagliari who took the lead against the run of play. David Suazo ran into the area and Andrea Capone cut back for Davide Biondini to smash in totally unmarked from eight yards.

The Sardinians lost Capone to injury as he made way for D'Agostino, but doubled their advantage with a stroke of luck. Alessandro Budel's screamer from 25 metres took a decisive deflection off Marc Zoro to leave Gabriele Paoletti stranded.

Floccari also went off after a clash with Zoro left him with a deep gash to his forehead.

Suazo had a great chance after the break, but his powerful volley from five yards was too central and bruised Paoletti's chest.

Messina were forced to play the final 20 minutes in 10 men after Zoro brought down Suazo for a second bookable offence. However, Rigano' took advantage of a lucky ricochet, but his pass across to Ivica Iliev was turned wide.

Paoletti kept the scoreline down with some tough saves on Honduran hitman Suazo.

Cagliari: Fortin; Ferri, Lopez, Bianchi, Del Grosso (Agostini 78); Budel, Biondini (Marchini 73), Conti, Pepe; Capone (D'Agostino 20), Suazo

Messina: Paoletti; Rea (Giallombardo 46), Zoro, Zanchi, Lavecchia (De Vezze 70); Alvarez, Candela, Pestrin, Masiello; Floccari (Iliev 40), Rigano'

Ref: Bergonzi

Sent off: Zoro 75 (M)

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