Cagliari 0-2 Bologna: Sardinian bubble bursts as Casale and Bernardeschi strike

Cagliari's improbable revival has well and truly burst. After a sensational run of three straight wins and a 1-1 draw against Juventus, the Sardinians have now suffered back-to-back heavy defeats, going down 2-0 at home to Bologna in the space of days after their 4-0 demolition at Monza on Monday.

The visitors took the points through Nicolò Casale's 57th-minute header and a Federico Bernardeschi penalty 10 minutes from time — the defender's first Serie A goal since January 2023.

Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna in action during the Serie A match

Bologna's turnaround under Palladino

Bologna had turned a corner since Raffaele Palladino replaced Domenico Tedesco in the dugout, though they suffered their first defeat under the new coach in a 3-1 home loss to Inter on October 18, as reported previously. They bounced back in style on Sardinian soil.

How the match unfolded

The high press from Bologna almost caused huge problems for Elia Caprile playing out from the back, saved by the offside flag as Federico Bernardeschi joined in with Juan Miranda. Paul Mendy went for an audacious and acrobatic volley that was always going to be tough to keep on target.

There was an odd moment as the second half was about to kick off, as Harry Winks felt a twinge in his back and Fabio Pisacane rushed through an unexpected substitution. Alessandro Romano's free kick only grazed the head of Michel Adopo, but it was Bologna who broke through after a series of corner kicks.

Juan Miranda curled his effort onto the head of Nicolò Casale, who was allowed a totally free run at goal from six yards. Bologna managed to double their advantage when Juan Rodriguez charged down the Bernardeschi screamer with his hand, so the ex-Montreal Impact forward converted the resulting penalty.

Bologna almost had another spot-kick moments later, as Niccolò Cambiaghi was brought down inches outside the box, and Bernardeschi's resulting dinked free kick was cleared by the wall.

Injuries and absentees

Cagliari were without Yael Trepy, Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici, who remained long-term absentees, while Roberto Piccoli, Riccardo Orsolini and Emil Holm were all out for Bologna with muscular strains.

Match facts

Cagliari 0-2 Bologna

Casale 57' (B)
Bernardeschi pen 80' (B)

Bookings: Federico Bernardeschi and Zé Pedro 32', Roberto Gagliardini 38', Alessandro Deiola 55', Nicolò Casale (assist Juan Miranda) 57', Bernardeschi 80'.