Cagliari 1-2 Como: Serie A 2025-26 match report

The Unipol Domus played host to a tactical encounter on Saturday evening, as Cesc Fabregas’s Como side secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fabio Pisacane’s Cagliari. In a match defined by shifting momentum and clinical finishing, the visitors managed to navigate a high-pressure environment to claim three points, leaving the hosts to rue missed opportunities in the final third.

The opening

Fabio Pisacane set Cagliari up in a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to control the midfield and utilize the width of the pitch. However, it was Como’s 4-2-3-1 setup that drew first blood. The visitors looked comfortable in possession from the early stages, finding gaps in the Cagliari defensive block with regularity.

The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute. Martin Baturina, operating with freedom in the attacking third, capitalized on a lapse in the Cagliari defensive structure to put Como ahead. The goal forced Cagliari to push higher up the pitch, but they struggled to break down a disciplined Como backline. The first half was further complicated for Fabregas when Mërgim Vojvoda was forced off in the 36th minute, replaced by Máximo Perrone. Despite the disruption, Como maintained their lead into the interval, effectively managing the tempo and limiting Cagliari’s ability to build sustained pressure.

The decisive moment

The second half began with a noticeable shift in intensity from the home side. Cagliari emerged with greater urgency, seeking to exploit the spaces between Como’s defensive lines. Their persistence was rewarded in the 56th minute when Sebastiano Esposito found the back of the net, assisted by Adam Obert. The equalizer injected life into the Unipol Domus and forced Como to reassess their approach.

As the match entered the final half-hour, both managers looked to their benches to influence the outcome. Fabregas introduced Tasos Douvikas for Álvaro Morata in the 62nd minute, signaling an intent to reclaim the lead through fresh legs. The game became increasingly physical, with refereeing decisions coming to the fore as Matteo Palestra and Esposito both received cautions for Cagliari.

The decisive moment occurred in the 76th minute. Following a period of sustained pressure from the visitors, Ignace Van der Brempt delivered a precise cross that found Lucas da Cunha. Da Cunha’s finish restored Como’s lead, silencing the home crowd and putting Cagliari in a position where they had to chase the game once more.

Pisacane responded with a triple substitution in the 78th minute—bringing on José Rodríguez, J. Liteta, and Sebastiano Esposito—but the tactical adjustments failed to yield a second equalizer. Como managed the closing stages with composure, utilizing their final substitutions to kill the clock and disrupt Cagliari’s rhythm. Despite a late yellow card for Jacobo Ramón Naveros and a final period of desperation from the hosts, Como held firm to secure the 2-1 result.

Looking ahead

For Como, the victory serves as a testament to their tactical flexibility and ability to execute under pressure on the road. The three points provide valuable momentum as they look to solidify their standing in the Serie A table.

Conversely, the defeat leaves Cagliari searching for consistency in their defensive organization and attacking efficiency. Pisacane will need to address the lapses that allowed Como to dictate the scoring, as the club looks to regain its footing in the coming weeks.