CAGLIARI

[Forza_Roma]

HT 0-0

[Forza_Roma]

FT 0-0

[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 32 - 14/4/07 (17.00 UK) 0-0

Cagliari 0 - 0 Empoli
Stadio Sant'Elia

Cagliari were wasteful upfront, but Empoli still set a new club record of 46 points in Serie A.

The Sardinians have been on fine form lately with just one defeat in their last five and a surprise win away to Palermo. Empoli slipped down the standings following the loss to Milan, but were still in the UEFA Cup race. Nicola Pozzi was suspended and Igli Vannucchi was left on the bench.

David Suazo drilled just wide after just three minutes and at the other end Vittorio Tosto's cross-shot tested Antonio Chimenti.

Empoli hit the back of the net after 15 minutes with Luca Saudati's spin and volley, but the striker was offside when Davide Matteini's cross came in from the right.

Diego Lopez had a good penalty shout for a clumsy Lino Marzoratti challenge moments later.

Gaetano D'Agostino and Matteini failed to make the most of promising scoring opportunities, while Bassi smothered a D'Agostino strike set up by Suazo.

After the break Cagliari made two tactical substitutions, moving Davide Biondini to central midfield and advancing Del Grosso. D'Agostino's through ball created a good chance that caught Simone Pepe by surprise inside the area.

Empoli boss Gigi Cagni went for a more attacking line-up with Vannucchi in place of defender Daniele Adani, but Cagliari continued to threaten with a Suazo glancing header going wide and Pepe again failing to touch in D'Agostino's cutback.

The best chance of the game so far fell to Ferri on 68 minutes. The substitute ran forward from midfield and his piledriver was pushed round the near post by Bassi.

The home side were now dominating and Pepe skipped past two players only to take his dribbling too far. So Cagni returned to a more balanced approach with Nicola Ascoli for Matteini.

There was an incredible opportunity late on with a howler of a defensive error from Ascoli leaving D'Agostino clear from eight yards, but he still got it deflected wide of the near post.

Yet seven minutes from time Chimenti almost handed Empoli a goal, as he mistimed his jump and was lucky Saudati's header looped over an empty net.

Cagliari: Chimenti, Pisano (Ferri 46), Lopez, Bianco, Del Grosso, Conti, Budel (Agostini 46), Biondini, D'Agostino (Marchini 85), Pepe, Suazo

Empoli: Bassi, Raggi, Adani (Vannucchi 58), Vanigli, Marzoratti (Ficini 88), Moro, Almiron, Tosto, Busce', Matteini (Ascoli 74), Saudati

Ref: Gervasoni

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 35 - 6/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Cagliari-Udinese
Stadio Sant'Elia

Cagliari welcomes Udinese to the Sant’Elia on Sunday. With the season’s end three games away, the home side are in serious danger. Udinese still have pride to play for, and with things so congested at the bottom of the table they cannot afford to take an early summer holiday. The Coaches will be busy too as both sides are heavily effected by disciplinary issues.

The home side have now lost three in a row, a slide in form that has seen them drop to their present precarious position, one point away from the danger zone with Torino and Chievo breathing down their necks and a further two teams on the same number of points. One win could lift them out of trouble, but they will not get one if they play like they did last time out. The Isolani were defeated in their crucial bottom of the table head-to-head with Parma. The northern side’s midfield was too much for them and they lost precious points.

Coach Marco Giampaolo’s 4-4-2 setup will be aimed at stopping the away side’s impressive five-man midfield. Michele Ferri, Daniele Conti and Davide Biondini are all ruled out of this clash because of suspension. Franceso Pisano looks as though he will take Ferri’s place at the back. Three changes look likely in the centre, with Davide Marchini, Leonardo Colucci and Antonio D’Agostino possibly coming into the starting XI. All that means there is no room for Simone Pepe, who was poor on the wing against Pama.

The away side were beaten at home by Catania last time out; their first loss in over a month. They ended the game with just eight men, Antonio Di Natale was one of the trio who lost their heads, the other two were Marco Motta and Andrea Dossena. The plethora of suspensions will force Alberto Malesani to make changes. His 3-5-2 formation should keep to the same back three, but only Gaetano D’Agostino and Gianpiero Pinzi keep their places in the midfield. Tomas Zapotocny, Sulley Muntari and Aleksandar Lukovic are the others likely to start, with Vincenzo Iaquinta and Paulo Barreto in attack

Man on fire: Paulo Barreto (Udinese) – The second half substitute kept his head while his teammates were losing theirs. His movement was superb and he was unlucky not to get his side at least a draw.

Form guide: Cagliari (W D L L L) Udinese (D W W D L)

Last season: Cagliari 2-1 Udinese

Cagliari (probable): Chimenti; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Del Grosso; Marchini, Colucci, Budel, D'Agostino; Suazo, Capone

Udinese (probable): De Sanctis; Coda, Natali, Zapata; Zapotocny, Pinzi, D'Agostino, Muntari, Lukovic; Iaquinta, Barreto

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Forza_Roma]

No Di Natale here. Let's see what Iaquinta can do alone. Cagliari will be desperate for a result in this game. This week will put some distance in the relegation battle. Cagliari must do all they can to keep up with the other clubs.

[D-Kin]

I see this being a draw.

[Forza_Roma]

1-0 Udinese. Goal by Muntari, cross by Iaquinta in the area and Muntari finishes.

[Forza_Roma]

HT 1-0 Udinese

[Forza_Roma]

1-1 66` Marchini

[Forza_Roma]

RED CARD 81` Iaqounita
2-1 Cagliari 85` Capone

[Forza_Roma]

FT 2-1 Cagliari

[Forza_Roma]

Good result for Cagliari. Maybe Iaquinta will face suspension?

Serie A Week 35 - 6/5/07 (14.00 UK)

Cagliari 2 - 1 Udinese
Muntari 44 (U), Marchini 66 (C), Capone 85 (C)
Stadio Sant'Elia

Cagliari drag themselves out of trouble with this win, but once again Udinese paid the price for their dismal disciplinary record.

A run of three straight defeats saw the Sardinians slide to within one point of the danger zone, so a result here was imperative, but they were without the suspended Michele Ferri, Daniele Conti and Davide Biondini, while Antonio Langella was dropped. Udinese were equally torn apart by the Disciplinary Commission, as Antonio Di Natale, Marco Motta and Andrea Dossena were all sent off in last week's home defeat to Catania. The Friulani's last win here was in October 1999.

It was a very slow start with too much play in midfield and the first shot from Marchini after 18 minutes was well wide.

Paulo Barreto's counter and a Simone Pepe free kick went close. Cagliari's best opportunity of the first half was a Pepe header that swung just wide as he sprung the offside trap.

Udinese broke through on the stroke of half-time with Sulley Ali Muntari, though most of the credit goes to Vincenzo Iaquinta. The World Cup winner found space down the right inside the area and cut back for Muntari to come sliding in from six yards.

Cagliari got back into it with January signing Marchini, who arrived from Triestina mid-season. David Suazo opted to roll a corner kick back for Marchini's low drive rather than shoot himself and it proved a wise decision.

Udinese's appalling disciplinary record continues, as Iaquinta was sent off for an elbow on Alessandro Budel. He insisted he had not done it on purpose and watched the rest of the game on the sidelines with Cagliari President Massimo Cellino, but he did jump with his arm raised.

Playing against 10 men, Cagliari turned the game around in the final minutes. Marchini's low cross was not cleared effectively and substitute Capone pounced from eight yards.

Cagliari: Chimenti; Canini (Capone 83), Lopez, Bianchi, Pisano (Semedo 70); Marchini, Colucci, Budel, Agostini (D'Agostino 54); Pepe, Suazo

Udinese: De Sanctis; Coda, Natali, Zapata; Pinzi, Sivok, Muntari, Lukovic (Gotti ), D'Agostino; Iaquinta, Barreto (Asamoah 82)

Ref: Trefoloni

Sent off: Iaquinta 78 (U)

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Diabolico]

I saw this match. The red card for Iaquinta was very harsh; he and Budel both jumped and Iaquinta's arm was outstretched. Maybe it was accidental and maybe it wasn't, but it was NOT a clear-cut situation and the contact from his elbow seemed pretty light anyway. It's not like he up and nailed some guy in the face. I thought at most it deserved a yellow for dangerous play.

I was cheering for Udinese in this one, but... aside of Iaquinta, for the most part they weren't much to write home about. At all. Both teams started out poorly; Cagliari eventually picked up the pace and I can't help but admire their determination in saving themselves from relegation here-- for the time being, anyway. Nicely done, Cagliari, and a deserved win.

[Forza_Roma]

Credit to Cagliari. They needed tha win to boost the chances in securing a spot. And i think they have almost secured a spot in A with his big win. Good for them!

[Jager]

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