Hellas Verona-Cagliari 0-2, the Sardinians conquer the Bentegodi 53 years after the last time
Nicola's team prevails in the relegation battle thanks to goals from Pavoletti and Deiola, which push the rossoblù towards staying in Serie A

Leonardo Pavoletti celebrates after the goal (Agenzia Aldo Liverani Sas)
Verona, April 28, 2025 - The Cagliari achieved a 2-0 victory in the relegation clash against the Hellas Verona. In the Monday night match of the 34th matchday of Serie A, the goals of Pavoletti and Deiola were enough for the rossoblù to secure the three points. The goals, scored in the 30th and 93rd minutes, allowed Davide's men Nicola to conquer the Bentegodi after more than fifty years since the last time, in front of opponents who were also reduced to ten men due to the expulsion of Ghilardi five minutes from time. This success helps the Islanders to move up to +8 on the third-last place, currently occupied by Venice and by 'Empoli, and to almost put their salvation in the safe. It's a different story for the boys of Zanetti, who remain at 32 points, overtaken by one point by today's rivals. For the Hellas the margin from the red zone is 7 points. Next weekend the Cagliari will challenge Udinese at home, while Hellas Verona will face Inter at San Siro.
The starting lineups
Zanetti chooses 3-4-1-2 for his Greece Verona. Montipò occupies the posts, protected by the trio composed of Ghilardi, Coppola and Valentini. Tchatchoua and Bradaric are the two full-backs, while Serdar and Duda occupy the roles of central midfielders. Suslov places himself between the lines, behind Sarr and Mosquera. On the other side Nicola prefers 4-2-3-1 for Cagliari. Caprile defends the goal, Zappa and Augello are the two full-backs and Palomino and Luperto the two central defenders. Adopo and Makoumbou form the midfield dam; Zortea, Marin and Luvumbo work behind the lone striker Pavoletti.
First half
The game begins with a long study phase, in which emotions do not take off. First the Hellas applies good high pressing and closes the Cagliari behind, but after about ten minutes the Sardinians manage to raise their centre of gravity to generate some offensive gusts. To witness the first shot at Bentegodi you have to wait until minute 18, when Luvumbo from the heart of the area he tries with his right foot and finds the rebound with Montipò's foot. A couple of minutes later Marine tries again, this time from outside the area, allowing a plastic dive by the home goalkeeper. The guests are in control and a high header from adopo in the 29th minute is the prelude to the goal, which arrives sixty seconds later. The Veronese defense badly misses a seemingly harmless cross from the three-quarter line, which finds a Pavoletti lurking at the far post: his control and shot from an extremely favourable position unlocked the result after half an hour. Verona struggles a lot to react. Only in the 41st minute is he finally Doubt, from far away, to take the first shot on goal for the home team, albeit harmless for CaprileThe two teams return to the locker rooms for the break at the end of three minutes of injury time, with the rossoblù leading Nicola ahead of a network.
Second half
The recovery begins with theGreece Verona who tries to push in search of a draw. The Scaligeri build in a rather measured manner and, above all, commit many technical errors that compromise the outcome of the offensive maneuvers. On the other hand, the Cagliari manages the advantage, conceding little and looking for some counterattacks when possible. The minutes pass and the situation does not unblock, as does the count of shots attempted by the two teams. With less than twenty minutes to go, joist has the first flash of his match, with a too weak aerial spin. The hosts are also left with ten men due to the expulsion of Ghilardi, who enters very late with his leg high on Gaetano in the 85th minute. Right at the end, during the third minute of injury time, the Cagliari legitimizes the victory even more with a goal from deiola which is worth the final 2-0.
The match scoreboard
Greece Verona (3-4-1-2): Montipò; Ghilardi, Coppola, Valentini (70' Kastanos); Tchatchoua, Serdar (70' Livramento), Duda, Bradaric (58' Lazovic); Suslov (28' Bernede); Sarr, Mosquera (59' Lambourde). Coach: Zanetti. Cagliari (4-2-3-1): Caprile; Zappa, Palomino, Luperto, Augello; After, Makoumbou; Zortea, Marin (83' Deiol), Luvumbo (83' Gaetano); Pavoletti (75' Mutandwa). Coach: Nicola. Markers: 30' Pavoletti (Cag), 90+3' Deiola (Cag) Referee: Rosario Abisso. Yellow cards: Zappa (Cag), Sarr (Ver), Coppola (Ver) Red cards: Ghilardi (Ver)
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