Guberti 48 (S), Nene’ 81 (C)
Stadio Ferraris
Sampdoria are caught in fifth place by Juventus and Napoli after Nene’ scored a late equaliser and was sent off.
The Blucerchiati were right back in the race for Europe, despite their midweek defeat away to Bari. Antonio Cassano had scored two in as many games, so the injured Nicola Pozzi, Rossi and Luca Castellazzi were not missed. Cagliari were in crisis after one point from five fixtures and had to do without Andrea Cossu, Jeda, Andrea Lazzari, Pisano, Parola, Agazzi and the suspended Daniele Dessena.
The visitors got off to a great start, as after five minutes Marco Storari was forced into a desperate save to deny Alessandro Matri from a corner kick.
Franco Semioli nodded a Stefano Guberti cross just wide, as did Michele Canini at the other end with Daniele Ragatzu unable to get the final touch.
Ragatzu was playing as both Cossu and Lazzari were out of action. The youth product had a good game and his curler was off target from the edge of the box.
Cassano drilled over, had a free kick deflected and aimed another wide of the target, as he tried to single-handedly inspire Sampdoria.
The Blucerchiati found a way through at the dawn of the second half, just moments after Stefano Guberti had been moved between the lines. Giampaolo Pazzini spun round in the box for a deflected shot that ricocheted into the path of the on-rushing Guberti from 10 yards.
Matri also threatened, though, as he was sent clear by Daniele Conti only to hesitate and Storari held his ground very well in a one-on-one situation.
On the hour mark a long corner found Daniele Gastaldello’s header at the back post, but Federico Marchetti managed a point-blank reaction save to beat it away.
Cagliari equalised with a fantastic header from Nene’, who was allowed far too much space to nod in Conti’s free kick that was chipped over the top of a distracted defence.
Nene’ was sent off in stoppages for a bizarre rugby tackle from behind on Andrea Poli.