Cagliari, Italy – In a classic Coppa Italia encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Cagliari staged a magnificent second-half display to overcome Frosinone 4-1. The victory not only propels the Rossoblù into the coveted Round of 16 but also sets up a mouth-watering clash against formidable Serie A giants, Napoli.
The match, played on Cagliari`s home turf, was far from a straightforward affair, particularly in a pulsating first half that showcased both teams` ambitions. Cagliari, perhaps eager to stamp their authority early, seized the initiative within the first two minutes. A clever run by Borrelli drew a foul in the box, leading to a penalty expertly converted by Gaetano. A dream start for the home side, or so it seemed.
Frosinone, however, under the guidance of Alvini, were not about to roll over. They quickly reorganized into a 4-2-3-1 formation and began to probe for weaknesses. After a couple of missed opportunities, the Ciociari found their equalizer in the 36th minute. A corner from Masciangelo was flicked on by Gelli, finding Vergani, who calmly controlled and slotted the ball home. The momentum visibly shifted, and just three minutes later, Frosinone came agonizingly close to taking the lead when Ndow`s header from another Masciangelo corner rattled the crossbar. The first half concluded with the scores level at 1-1, leaving supporters pondering the tactical adjustments to come. One could almost hear the collective sighs from the home crowd as the halftime whistle blew.
The halftime interval offered a crucial moment for reflection and recalibration. Cagliari`s coach, Pisacane, made decisive changes, introducing Felici and Deiola for Kilicsoy and Rog, and crucially, shifting to a 4-2-3-1 formation with Borrelli as the lone striker. This proved to be nothing short of a tactical masterstroke, transforming the team`s dynamics.
The second half began with a renewed intensity from Cagliari, reminiscent of their early first-half flourish. Felici, operating on the left wing, immediately became the catalyst. His incisive runs and dangerous deliveries created havoc in Frosinone`s defense, forcing a spectacular goal-line clearance from Frosinone`s goalkeeper Pisseri and testing him with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Cavuoti, too, began to assert himself more prominently in the attacking third.
The sustained pressure finally told in the 67th minute. A precise throw-in from Idrissi found Felici, who skillfully bypassed Cittadini – a defender having a less-than-stellar evening – cut inside, and laid off a perfect pass for Borrelli. Borrelli made no mistake, calmly slotting home his second goal of the game to restore Cagliari`s lead, 2-1. Frosinone, despite some valiant efforts to regain control, began to unravel under the relentless Cagliari attack.
With just ten minutes remaining in regulation time, the floodgates truly opened. A superb pass from substitute Sebastiano Esposito unleashed Idrissi into open space on the wing. Idrissi, in turn, found the overlapping Felici, who coolly chipped the ball past the onrushing Pisseri, effectively sealing the win at 3-1. But Cagliari wasn`t done applying pressure. In the 85th minute, Cavuoti added the icing on the cake. Borrelli, once again a central figure in the build-up, skillfully held off Cittadini before feeding Cavuoti. A quick exchange with Esposito, and Cavuoti fired a left-footed shot into the net, completing a dominant 4-1 victory and underscoring Cagliari`s second-half superiority.
While Frosinone showed glimpses of promise, especially in the first half, Cagliari`s tactical flexibility and second-half brilliance were simply overwhelming. The win not only guarantees their progression in the Coppa Italia but also provides a significant confidence boost as they prepare to face the formidable challenge of Napoli in the next round. For Cagliari, the journey continues, and on this form, it promises to be an exciting one, perhaps even a Cinderella story in the making. Only time, and Napoli, will tell.