Sassuolo vs Cagliari 0-2: Claudio Ranieri Boys Maintain Serie A Status

Twenty-year-old Matteo Prati chose the perfect time to score his first Serie A goal as his opening strike paved the way for Cagliari’s win over Sassuolo in a relegation six-pointer at the Mapei Stadium. Gianluca Lapadula buried the spot on 96 minutes to set the score at 0-2 and certify the Islanders’ permanence in the top-flight. 

This is yet another “miracle” for Sir Claudio Ranieri, who took the reins of Cagliari two seasons ago when the club was faring in Serie B and let them to an immediate promotion. It topped it up with today’s success which will keep the Rossoblu in Serie A for at least one more season. 

Conversely, Sassuolo are on the edge of despair. Their descent to the second division could become official later in the day already. If either Empoli or Frosinone get at least one point from their afternoon games, the Neroverdi‘s relegation will be confirmed. 

Substitute Prati unlocked a tense game where both sides were being extremely cautious as Serie A status was at stake. There were no shots on target in the whole first half. It took 70 minutes before the 20-year-old Ravenna native would fire the ball past Andrea Consigli, concluding a chaotic exchange in the Neroverdi box as Sassuolo failed to clear the ball from a corner kick.  

A gigantic Marash Kumbulla blunder during added time gift-wrapped Cagliari’s second goal. The Italian-Albanian defender failed to complete what looked like an easy clearance in the box and pushed Gianluca Lapadula down in an attempt to remedy. Lapadula himself converted the spot kick, prompting wild celebrations from the Cagliari fans on the stands of the Mapei Stadium. 

Only a miracle can save Sassuolo now. The introduction of “salvation specialist” Davide Ballardini in the dugout after the Alessio Dionisi’s dismissal didn’t help change the trend for the Neroverdi. This afternoon already, their 11-season streak in Serie A could come to an end. 

MATCH SCORECARD

May 19, 2024 – Serie A 2023/2024 Round 37
SASSUOLO – CAGLIARI 0-2

SCORERS: 71′ Prati, 91′ Lapadula pen.

REFEREE: Mr. Doveri from Rome
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Thorstvedt, Deiola, Dossena; Red Card: Henrique (S); Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 6′

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