A. Romano’s 79th-Minute Goal Gives Cagliari a 1-0 Win

Cagliari defeated Parma 1-0 at Stadio Ennio Tardini on Saturday, with A. Romano scoring the only goal in the 79th minute. The result gave Fabio Pisacane’s side victory in the opening Serie A round, despite a closely balanced contest in which Parma matched their opponents for total shots and produced the slightly higher expected-goals figure.

Romano decides an even contest

Neither side established clear control during a first half that remained goalless. Parma used Carlos Cuesta’s 4-3-3, while Cagliari lined up in a 4-2-3-1 under Pisacane. The visitors had a narrow edge in possession, 51% to 49%, and completed more passes, recording 339 at an 89% accuracy rate compared with Parma’s 329 passes and 86% accuracy.

The attacking numbers, however, pointed to a very even match. Both teams attempted nine shots. Parma had two efforts on target to Cagliari’s three, while the hosts recorded seven shots off target and Cagliari four. Parma’s expected goals total was 0.76, marginally above Cagliari’s 0.74, making the final scoreline a reminder that the visitors were more effective at the decisive moment.

That moment arrived in the 79th minute. A. Romano found the net for Cagliari with a normal goal, assisted by M. Adopo, putting the visitors in front late in the match. Parma did not produce an equaliser before full time, and Cagliari held on for the 1-0 win. Cagliari also registered two blocked shots and six attempts from inside the box, compared with Parma’s four inside-box efforts.

Discipline and changes shape the closing stages

Cagliari collected both yellow cards in the match. J. Pedro was booked in the 10th minute, followed by J. Fazzini in the 58th. Parma finished without a recorded yellow card, while Cagliari committed 13 fouls to Parma’s four. The teams each won one corner.

Both coaches made notable changes before the goal. At 66 minutes, Parma replaced A. Bernabe with P. Almqvist, while Cagliari made three substitutions: J. Pedro for G. Zappa, J. Fazzini for M. Felici and P. Mendy for G. Borrelli. Parma then introduced R. Kouda for M. Keita and O. Diallo for S. Lontani in the 75th minute.

Ordoñez leads Parma’s ratings

Christian Ordoñez was Parma’s standout performer, earning a 7.2 rating. He played 61 minutes, supplied one key pass and made five tackles. Edoardo Corvi also rated highly at 7.0 after making three saves, while Cagliari’s goalkeeper made two.

The listed standings place Parma 13th and Cagliari 14th, with both shown on zero points from zero games and no recorded form data. Cagliari’s victory therefore opens the season with a win, while Parma begin with a narrow defeat.